Recently I've heard a lot of webmasters, new and old alike, say they simply don't have enough time. What is often the case is not so much they don't have enough time, just that they don't use the time they have as efficiently as they might. If we're not careful, we let time slip away on unproductive stuff while our business suffers.
Here's 11 Time Management tips that, if applied consistently, should help you get more out of the time you have.
1. Don't get hung up surfing porn
You've probably only recently crossed over from smut surfer to smut webmaster. Since you now have a good reason to surf porn sites, it's easy to forget that you're working and fall back into old habits. A little research (surfing porn sites) goes a long way. If you're that hung up on viewing smut, spring for a membership in a nice pay site. At least that way, if you get an itch you need to scratch, you can quickly find what you need to scratch it and then get back to work.
2. Watch less TV
I'm not saying to stop watching it all together. And if you have a family, you shouldn't shut yourself off from them completely while you launch your new adult business. However, as mentioned above, old habits are hard to break. So if you find yourself wondering what to watch, odds are you'd be better off working. Start the habit of asking yourself a simple question at the start of any tv show (or event) you're about to watch. Ask yourself, "Is watching this more important to me that growing my business?"
3. Don't lounge around (boards, MIRC or ICQ)
Adult webmaster communities (like YNOTmasters) are very helpful to a new webmaster. Likewise, chatting with peers via ICQ or MIRC is often very helpful. Spending some time hanging around both of these is not only natural, but usually beneficial to a new webmaster. Just don't forget that you have a business to grow so manage your time wisely. If you're hanging around just to see what everyone else is doing, you'd probably be better off working on your stuff. Visit the boards and live chat regularly with some purpose in mind and drop by them when you take a coffee break.
4. Work email in blocks
Because you're meeting new people and are probably getting more email related to being an adult webmaster, it's easy to get sidetracked checking and rechecking email. Most webmasters find it's more efficient to handle your email in blocks. Grab a batch, deal with them quickly and efficiently, then go about OTHER work. Later in the day, do another email pass. Just don't constantly check email waiting to see if the email you just sent gets a reply. Do that when the correspondence is important, just don't make it a habit.
5. Keep good notes
Almost all experienced webmasters agree, keeping good notes is vital. Different webmasters prefer different systems. Some like a real notebook, some keep them on their computer. Find a system that works for you. The key thing is to keep your notes organized enough so that you can find what you're looking for pretty quick. Keep your notes organized and you'll find they'll save you time over and over again.
For more info on keeping notes, see The Value of Notes
6. Keep files organized (mirror server directory)
Unless you're anal by nature, chances are, when you first started webmastering, you didn't give much thought to how your files (html, graphics, content, etc) were organized on your computer. It doesn't take long and you have a disorganized mess. You waste time hunting around for that certain sponsors banner, or worse, you have to revisit the sponsor to grab another copy. So take a minute and figure out how you'll keep your files so you can quickly lay your hands on them.
As an aside on this one ...
If you'll set up a directory on your hard drive that mirrors the structure on your server, you'll save a lot of time over the long run.
7. Apply what you learn asap
Things you know don't take as much time to do as things you don't know or only half know. This means the quicker you can apply and understand a new skill, the quicker it will be part of your permament tool-box. When you don't know, you have to go find stuff and read and re-read it. If you read an article that offers a new bit of code you think you can use, go try it out ... do it on a blank html page if you can't apply it to a project of yours right away but might be useful in the NEAR future. If you hear a new way to understand stats, go immediatly to your stats and follow along so what you're reading will sink in. BUT, don't let this get you sidetracked trying to apply EVERYTHING. If something has no IMMEDIATE application, make a note about it (I've found it helpful to include the URL to the article or post) and move on to something that will help you RIGHT NOW or in the very NEAR future.
8. Don't gold plate
Basically what is being applied here is the law of diminishing returns. After a certain point, continued effort put into a project will not continue to improve it in ways that result in significantly better returns. Learn to ask yourself if the continued effort you're putting in is likely to result in significantly better performance.
This could apply to making graphics, editing html pages or any number of things. Work to get it right but don't gold plate it. Use your time on something that will reward you for your effort.
9. Focus on the task at hand
For the most part, the whole idea of multi-tasking is a myth. It's simply not how the human mind works. When you think you're doing two things at once, what's really happening is that you're quickly switching your attention back and forth between them.
The better you know the subjects you're dealing with, the smoother the switch. However, between each switch there is a mili-second that's lost as you shift your attention. When you're new at one or both of the tasks, that time for switching is multiplied dramatically. When you add them up, you could be spending more time switching than you do actually working.
On a larger scale, to do something well you need to give it your full attention. Do it half way and you'll often have to go back and do it over again.
So the time saving tip is to break your work into related tasks and focus like a laser on the work you're doing at the moment. Over the long run, you'll find you not only save time but also turn out better work.
10. Finish projects you start (or drop them completely)
Adult webmasters are notorious for having a dozen projects going at a time. The problem is, many of the projects eat a lot of time without you having any real sense that they'll show any returns. You putter with this project, then that project, you start a new one and once in a great while, you might even finish one. If you're not careful, you can fritter your time away on useless projects. Worse yet, many times, after spending tons of time on a project, you'll give up on it for no special reason. When this happens, the return on your investment of all that time is zero.
The most important lessons of being an adult webmaster are learned by doing. The problem is, if you never finish a project, you never really know if it was a good idea or not so you never really learn. The way to permanently gain the knowledge is to complete the project and let it prove itself good or bad. To do that, you have to finish your projects.
It will serve you well to regularly list the projects you're working on. For each one on the list, decide if it's still worth your investment in time. If it is, get off your butt and get it finished. If it's not, make the decision not to let it take up any more of your time. When you're rich and famous, there will be lots of time to play with so-so projects. Until then, finish projects you start or drop them completely.
11. Add power tools as you can
I once read that in any field, a major difference between beginners and experts was power tools. When you've gained some experience you recognize that power tools allow you to do more, do it faster, and often do it better.
So what kind of power tools am I talking about?
There's all kinds.
A utility that lets you make a hundred thumb-nail images in a few seconds rather than the hour it might otherwise take you to do them by hand is a power tool. A script that lets you rotate banners is a power tool. The utility I give away to subscribers to my newsletter that easily makes pop-ups, meta tags, etc is a power tool. The list is endless, there's all kinds of power tools.
Some power tools you can find for free and some you'll need to pay for. Not always, but often you can do a task with a free power tool but could do it even better with one you pay for.
So the advice here is when you can, add power tools to your personal toolbox. You'll be amazed at the time they can save you.
As an aside on this one ....
When I was actively running adult sites I started way too late using power tools. I got lots done by hand, but looking back, I see where I could have achieved much more with the right power tools. Now I'm a firm believer in power tools. I'm constantly on the lookout for good ones. I've got several I'm working with right now that I'll be reviewing shortly so stay tuned.
So there you have it ...
11 sound tips to help you get the most out of your time. Apply them consistently and you'll be amazed at how much more you can get done.
Until next time ...
be well
- Khan
