Time Management is a hard thing. A true struggle for most small business owners. During my time at UNITED last week, I had the privilege of listening to some of the greats in the photography industry explain how they learned to manage their time…how they failed at mangaging their time…and what improvements they made in their business life to get more of their PERSONAL life back.

Everyone of them had their own way. Own tools. Own methods. Some they learned from speakers before them…others…they are tools they created for their own personal benefit.

Trevor Dayley…a wise man, dedicated server, amazing photographer and even better friend actually dedicated an entire speech on how to live a RICH life. One that isn’t consumed by our businesses. A LIFE THAT DOESN’T MAKE US CHOOSE BETWEEN OUR PERSONAL IN BUSINESS…RATHER…COINCIDE WITH THEM BOTH.

I promised that because I was given this gift of opportunity to attend this conference, that when I got back I would share from the greats I learned from in hope that just maybe I can give back a portion of what was given to me over my time spent in California.

Trevor went over quite a few tools, but I wanted to go over 2 that I believe will not only impact how I manage my time in my business, but how you could better manage yours as well. As parent photographers in particular, we are given a special challenge…raise our children and give them a full and rich life….and run a successful business that alllllows us the abilities to provide our children with a rich life. Phew! No easy task.

I don’t know about you, but when I say “one minute, one minute, Ill be right there boys….it quickly and regrettably turns into an hour before I even stand up and remember I was needed by my two most precious gifts in my life…my sons. I get angry, mad and frustrated when I am pulled away the minute I sit down or start a new project, email, etc. But whats funny…is after I spend hours and hours on one task….its still not complete. I still allowed myself to be distracted. But sadly, not distracted with my responsibilities as a mom…but distracted with Facebook, phone chats, internet shopping. In essence I just chose shopping and twittering and pinteresting and social media over my BUSINESS ANNNNND MY CHILDREN! YIKES!

Trevor mentioned a technique he uses called the POMODORO TECHNIQUE.

What the heck is that? Believe me, I asked the same question, but boy oh boy I am glad I did. This technique states that you should have 25 minutes of focused work, 5 minute break, repeat…after 4 rotations, take an hour break. At first, I rejected the thought of starting, stopping, starting , stopping, stepping away and fearing that I would become unfocused or unmotivated. Interestingly enough, it became a game. I set my phone to be stop watch. It was as if I was timing myself during those 25 mintues to get as much done as possible. If I was writing a blog, I never left the page. I didn’t take my fingers off the keys. I didn’t answer the phone, glance at the T.V. or sign along to Pandora. I shut out and off everything and anything but the task at hand and HOLY MOLEY. I got 3 blog posts written in the time it used to take me 3 HOURS! I just got back 2+ hours of my life to better serve my children by PUTTING IN 25 MINUTES OF 100% FOCUSED WORK! AH-MAZING. For my five minute break I grabbed a coffee, muffin, used the potty (yes I say potty, I have kids! Lol) and sat back down. Reset my stop watch….and I think I litereally took a 3 second break to sip my coffee and left my muffin untouched! It was exciting, thrilling to see how much I could really get done knowing that once I was done, I could use my extra time to be with my husband, kids, clean the house, or maybe think about making a dinner than doesn’t come out of a take out bag or pizza delivery box.

I encourage you to try it. It feels so silly…pointless…but give it a week. If it is doesn’t change your life…if it doesn’t work for you…that’s ok, that when you have to look for what DOES and CAN work for you and your life…both business and personal.

Another technique/tip Trevor shared with us is called IFTTT!

“If this, than that!” Yes—its really simple as that. As human beings we always love to be rewarded. We like to save the best for last. We like to do what we have to do, be done with it, and get to enjoying ourselves. So, IF YOU FIRST ANSWER YOUR EMAILS, THEN YOU GET TO GO WALK THE DOG OUTSIDE. IF YOU FIRST EDIT THE SESSION, THEN TONIGHT YOU CAN GO TO THE STATE FAIR WITH YOUR FAMILY.

This not only helps with time management, it really helps you prioritize. It helps you focus on whats most important to get done so you can do something you realllly want to do. So for me….right this moment….If first I write this blog post and 4 others for the week, then I can spend the next half of the day off! COMPELTELY OFF. From their, my freedoms and possiblites are endless…and as a mom…I LOVE THAT!

These techniques are simple. They are different. And they may or may not work for you. But as long as you try anything and everything you can to get your TIME BACK…TO LIVE THAT RICHER LIFE BOTH IN TERMS OF BUSINESS AND FAMILY…I GUARANTEE ITS WORTH THE TRIAL.

So to answer your question…how do I do it all? How do I find the time….I don’t find it…I make it!

Hope this helps you get your precious moments back! Thank you for the advice Trevor!

Xoxo,

Kaitlin Noel