How to Be an Entrepreneurial Ninja

By Carlene Ashby

Let’s talk about the number one entrepreneurial sin: Laziness!  We all through it from time to time; not wanting to get out of our pajamas, not wanting to make cold-calls or write that article.  Working for one’s self can be so freeing and rewarding, but with that freedom can come a lack of discipline.

Discipline is so important to an entrepreneur.  Discipline is the difference between creating a successful business and having a hobby.  This doesn’t mean you have to sit in your office from 6am to 10 pm, slaving away.  What it does mean is that you have a set schedule and a routine.

Your Prosperity Assignment Should You Choose To Accept It:

  1. Set up a workspace where all you do is work. This area is not for eating, watching t.v. or napping.  Ideally it is a room that you can close the door on and put up a do not disturb sign.  Let your family and partners know that your workspace is where you do business and it is to be respected as a place of business.
  2. Create a calendar for the week and decide what you will do on each day. For example: On Mondays I write articles, attend a mastermind meeting and work with my business coach.  On Tuesdays I work with clients and work on press releases.  On Wednesdays I work with clients and do administrative work, on Thursdays I work on marketing, joint ventures, networking and cultivating referrals.  On Fridays I work with clients in the morning and use the afternoon to treat myself to whatever I need, such as a massage, a manicure, a pedicure or even lunch with a friend.  Create your own schedule this way.  Make sure you have at least one day a week set aside for marketing.
  3. Create time slots for each day for you to get up, exercise, meditate, eat breakfast, work, break for tea, work, eat lunch, etc, etc.  Perhaps you will only work until 2pm, that’s fine, just make sure you have an end point to your day or you could get swallowed up in work and we don’t want that either.
  4. Set up a monthly calendar that you can see at a glance and use it whenever you schedule something with someone.  This prevents double bookings and lets you see if you are piling too much into one week.  Don’t burn yourself out by cramming too much into each week or booking too many meetings back-to-back.  I use a day timer for this and I couldn’t live without it!
  5. For 30 days, follow your schedule to a T! Do not do anything that you do not have scheduled in your day timer during work hours.  If something comes up that you absolutely must do, sit for a moment and ask yourself if this is truly important enough to deviate from your schedule.  Family emergencies, illnesses and lunch with your hero fall into that category.  Lunch with your best friend, a sale at Pier 1 and watching YouTube videos do not.  If you decide this is truly important, put it in your day timer, make sure that there are no conflicts.
  6. At the end of 30 days, evaluate your schedule for efficiency. Were some days of the week better suited to certain tasks?  Adjust your schedule accordingly.

And Voila!  You are now an Entrepreneurial Ninja!

© Copyright 2010 Carlene Ashby

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Filed under: Achievement • Business Systems • Client Attraction • Conscious Entrepreneurs • goal setting • Law of Attraction • Life Coaching • Time Management

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