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A very important topic to talk about is how to organize your time when working on your blog or web site. Many readers ask me how I structure my day and it has taken me a couple of months to get to a point where I can function at my peak levels. I will share a few suggestions with you that can really help you be more productive.

Keep A To-Do List.

Each day when you wake up, write down the top 5-10 things you have to accomplish that day. It is best to not do any other web based activities until you can cross off each item on your list because it is too easy to get caught up reading other blogs and forums before getting your own work done. Before you know it, you have spent 3 hours reading and getting none of your work done. If you did not finish an item from your list, carry it over to the next day.

Assign A Certain Amount Of Time For Important Items.

Tell yourself the first thing you will do each morning is check and respond to email for 30 minutes. I know some people think email should not be the first thing you do in the morning, but I prefer to get it out of the way first. You also never know who sent you a pressing item that can help you monetize your site. If you read an email but do not respond immediately, mark it “un-read” so you do not forget that you have to respond later.

Figure Out What You Like Least And Make Yourself Spend Time Doing It.

Sometimes I struggle to write ReviewMe posts and the only way I can get myself to do it is if I sit down and tell myself that for the next 2-3 hours, the only thing I will do is research and review the web site. I force myself to write a review and I go back and proof read it later. Whatever your weak points are, be sure to take the time to do them anyways. They could be valuable to your readers and your blog’s value.

Do Not Check Stats More Than Twice Per Day.

This is a big one. So many people waiste time hitting refresh on their visitor stats and affiliate sales all day. I used to do the same, only to realize that my productivity is so much better now that I only check stats once in the morning and once in the evening. There is nothing you can do to increase your statistics that much by hitting refresh every 10 minutes that you cannot do by checking stats in the beginning and end of the day. Try this for a few days and you will be happy you did.

This post was guest blogged by Jane May. She teaches readers how to create and monetize blogs on Daily Web Ideas.

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    91 Comments »

    2007-06-03 15:07:17
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Wow. Nice set of tips. Really like the “Figure Out What You Like Least And Make Yourself Spend Time Doing It.”

    *(Maybe you can consider guess blog at one of my blog—in the future =? :).

    Comment by Andy Dang
    2007-06-03 21:22:06
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I agree. In many movies and books, too many say “the hardest thing to do is usually the right thing.” Similar in some sense. Same thing as, “do what poor people don’t do and you’ll be rich.”

    2007-06-04 01:15:41
    MyAvatars 0.2

    lolz..“do what poor people don’t do and you’ll be rich.”

    that is true and it really works

    Comment by Ankur
    2007-06-04 04:43:48
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Seems simple, and certainly is if you work smart!

    (Comments wont nest below this level)
     
     
     
    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:02:43
    MyAvatars 0.2

    One of the most challenging things I’ve had to do is dicipline myself to research the net for hours before writing. Trust me, it sometimes sucks, but it’s well worth it and I’ve gotten better because of it.

     
    Comment by john ladner
    2007-06-04 18:40:55
    MyAvatars 0.2

    nice set of tips? good one, r those yours? no the line silly, did u make that up? just for that funny line, i’m a new subscriber to your blog. like it. keep up your good work, u funny stinker.

    johnny card

     
     
    Comment by Daniel Sitter
    2007-06-03 15:27:06
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Great thoughts Jane! I also make it a point to do the most unpleasant tasks first, getting them out of my way early. It’s too easy to procrastinate and avoid them otherwise.

    Nice to see you here!

    Comment by Zlatan R.
    2007-06-03 15:46:26
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I agree!

    Very nice advices. All we need is a little bit more self-control. :)

    Comment by Ankur
    2007-06-04 04:44:58
    MyAvatars 0.2

    The need for money and thinking what you can do of it helps :mrgreen:

     
     
    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:03:48
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I used the same mentality for school. The subjects I hated most went first and the ones I liked best came at the end since they were easier for me.

     
     
    Comment by SEO blog
    2007-06-03 15:35:23
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Very good advice. Time management becomes even more critical when your working for yourself. I’m bad at it but working on it.

    Comment by Ankur
    2007-06-03 23:37:32
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Ya, with all the freedom, working does become a little off the mark at times!

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:05:20
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’s easy to slack off sometimes, but that’s when I focus on my goals and if what I’m doing is getting me to my goals.

     
     
    Comment by website copywriter
    2007-06-04 00:25:36
    MyAvatars 0.2

    We don’t realize it as much, but being our own boss can be tough, too, sometimes.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:05:55
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Sometimes even tougher! The responsibility is all on you.

    Comment by website copywriter
    2007-06-04 13:27:57
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Exactly! Personally, I don’t think I’m a perfectionist, but I do like to work a certain way and I like the outcome of my work to be a certain way, too. We are our own worst critic I should say.

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    Comment by Stephen Welton Subscribed to comments via email
    2007-06-04 14:11:23
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    It’s always about YOU! If it’s too easy it’s not worth it right?

    A great quote about YOU focus
    http://www.stephenwelton.com/?p=43

    (Comments wont nest below this level)
    2007-06-05 01:58:52
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Yep, it’s all about me. I was even TIME Magazine’s person of the year!

    :arrow: Don

     
     
     
     
     
    2007-06-03 16:06:31
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Good points, Jane … I really, really, really need to concentrate on that main one … do the things you don’t like first … once tey are out of the way it’s the same kind of feeling as if some income stream just doubled … feels great, when I can rember to do it.

    I’m with you on the email as well. It’s a great time waster if you let it run away, but essential to skim through and see important issues. For those who use OutLook, my method is to read the mail, answer or act on it if it is of extreme importance … if it is not, I right click and assign a color-coded follow-up flag … an easy, two-click process … different colors for different levels of urgency. Some recommend moving emails into different action folders, which I am sure is a good method, but doesn’t work for me … things get lost in the folders … with the flags, everything is visible in the in-box so I can go do the important things, like making a blog post and come right back to email when the time is right.

     
    Comment by SEO Expert Blog
    2007-06-03 16:09:13
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Another tip: If you have comments enabled read them and respond to them.

    2007-06-03 17:41:04
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thats definitely an important one. John does do a very good job of that.

     
    Comment by website copywriter
    2007-06-04 00:31:49
    MyAvatars 0.2

    That’s a pretty good habit. It also helps generate new ideas for future posts.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:07:55
    MyAvatars 0.2

    New ideas is definitely a perk. I look through my comments to give me inspiration all the time.

    Comment by Stephen Welton Subscribed to comments via email
    2007-06-04 14:13:08
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It also shows that you value your readers thoughts and opinions.

    It’s as though you have been ignored and we all love attention.

    Reply to comments!

    (Comments wont nest below this level)
     
     
     
    Comment by Ankur
    2007-06-04 04:19:45
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Many times, once your blog is established enough, even readers themselves take care of the questions, so there is not much load on you.

     
    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:07:02
    MyAvatars 0.2

    That’s a great one :grin:

     
     
    Comment by Anthony C
    2007-06-03 16:20:05
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Well, my luck is that i’d have to put making the to do list as the first item… :P

    Comment by website copywriter
    2007-06-04 00:34:18
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’s really easy; once you get the hang of it, it won’t won’t seem so necessary and laborious anymore.

     
     
    Comment by Michael Kwan
    2007-06-03 16:20:12
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’s one thing when you’re on the company payroll, because you theoretically get paid whether you accomplish your goals or not (unless you’re on commission). For an entrepreneur like myself, however, if I don’t work, I don’t get paid and this is one of the greatest challenges to working from home (especially when you’re working for yourself).

    The first thing that I do when I log into my computer in the morning is check my email and respond to anything that I think is urgent. I am guilty of getting sidetracked in doing this, because I’ll find myself reading John Chow dot Com, for example, instead of actually getting down to the things that pay the bills. I’m not a morning person, so it’s hard to “get started” fresh out of bed.

    Instead of setting the five to ten items on your “to do” list as soon as you wake up, I think that it is a better strategy to do this before you go to bed the night before, revisiting these goals when you wake up. Things usually appear a little different after you sleep on them, so it’s good to see two perspectives on what needs to be done, even if both perspectives are your own.

    Okay, I’m starting to ramble a bit. I might have to expand this comment into a blog post of my own. :)

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:09:40
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Whether its in the morning or at night, the to-do lists are important because if helps you do your tasks with the end result or goal in mind.

     
     
    Comment by Knuckles10
    2007-06-03 16:33:13
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Oh god, the stats one was me for a good while. I ended up having to turn off Firefoxes Adsense Notifier plugin. It was too damn distracting watching my earnings go up a few cents at a time each day. I never got anything done.

    Comment by Ankur
    2007-06-03 23:39:37
    MyAvatars 0.2

    me too, in the start, i spent 90% of my time refreshing my stats! But will improve now, Thanks Jane!

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:10:37
    MyAvatars 0.2

    lol…i know what you mean :lol:

     
     
     
    Comment by lisa coultrup Subscribed to comments via email
    2007-06-03 16:57:06
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I admit, stat watching and the firefox adsense notifier are making me nuts, so I had better wean myself off them for awhile :-)

    thanks for a great post

    Comment by website copywriter
    2007-06-04 00:37:35
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’s like looking at the scale to check much you weigh everyday — completely unnecessary. Instead of obsessing about stats, you can obsess about other directly productive things.

     
     
    Comment by Dotcom Doctor
    2007-06-03 17:09:53
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Checking stats (5-6 times) is consuming mt time. I need to spend more time creating content.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:11:35
    MyAvatars 0.2

    That’s probably a good idea. :razz:

     
    Comment by Stephen Welton Subscribed to comments via email
    2007-06-04 14:18:19
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    Money is a result of being successful. Success in blogging is directly related to providing value through great content. If there is one thing you can do is focus in on that.

    You will be fine!

     
     
    Comment by Alex
    2007-06-03 17:38:29
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thanks, your suggestions rox :D

     
    2007-06-03 17:40:08
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thanks for the quality post Jane.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:12:15
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I’m glad you found value in it…i try :grin:

     
     
    Comment by Casey
    2007-06-03 17:57:10
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Very nice post. I am not an efficient person when it comes to online stuff. I get caught up in things.

     
    2007-06-03 18:02:54
    MyAvatars 0.2

    I get caught up surfing the web instead of doing important stuff. Most of the time I have to plan my day to get work done. ughhh

     
    Comment by Kumiko
    2007-06-03 18:16:48
    MyAvatars 0.2

    If we use the “buy me a beer” link at the end of the post, does Jane get the beer?

    Comment by Michael Kwan
    2007-06-03 18:47:15
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Maybe if you make a note when you pay, John will be kind enough to forward the funds to Jane… but that means that Paypal takes two cuts instead of one.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:15:13
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Very good point on the two cuts Michael! Thanks for the insight.

     
     
    Comment by John Chow
    2007-06-03 19:28:21
    MyAvatars 0.2

    If you wish to buy Jane a beer, you should do so at her blog. like Micheal says, I can forward the funds but then Paypal take another cut.

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:14:18
    MyAvatars 0.2

    It’ll probably be easier for everyone if you just do it on my site…thanks for asking Kumiko!!

     
     
     
    Comment by la bloga
    2007-06-03 19:03:12
    MyAvatars 0.2

    it´s so real the point about stadistics, this time can be spent in a great post.

     
    Comment by Ravi
    2007-06-03 19:24:48
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Thanks for the useful post.

     
    Comment by FameFire
    2007-06-03 20:07:42
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Dear Jane,
    The post written very nicely. I agree with your thoughts. I am working in a MNC and I have to follow the same rules. When I was new, it was some difficult to me. My boss is very generous to me and he tought me the lession just same as your post. As the time past it is now become my habit and now I find it very helping. In the morning first of all I read my Official mails then after personal mails. If is there any urgent requirement I make it number one priority in my list. I generally make a list in night just before going to bed. The task left undone today, is added as next day assignment. I always carry a small pocket dairy with me and whenever I find anything important I just write it down and open it every evening to find out the actual advantage. When a task is completed I make a rigt mark that “I Have Done It” :smile:

    Thanks for such a wonderful post.

    Regards

    FameFire

    Comment by JaneMay
    2007-06-04 10:16:49
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Sounds like you now have the system down pat! Great to hear.

     
     
    Comment by Vanessa Subscribed to comments via email
    2007-06-03 21:04:01
    MyAvatars 0.2

    What a great post! Very direct and to the point. I really need to do the do list and stick to it. THanks, Jane.

     
    Comment by Rick Yuen
    2007-06-03 21:26:12
    MyAvatars 0.2

    Good list of things to do. It’s only human nature to procrastinate so I always start things as soon as possible to get the ball rolling. If I don’t initiate tasks right away, the day can easily be a complete write-off.