Why do some say that time is much more important than wealth? Nearly all biographies and self-help books, by top leaders and speakers from the past decades, all focus on time as being the most important resource available. When we manage our use of time, through self-mastery, success is a natural product of that effort. Success becomes the harvest we reap.

Proven Technique Number 1 – Delegate and assign simple routine tasks to other people.

If you have a home business, consider hiring a temp to deal with book entry. Most people don’t need a full time employee and the time you save allows you to focus on building your vision. This is very elementary but of great significance. If you have the money, hire people to do the housework, the repairing, and even some of your other office jobs. Let others do the research. But of course, you have to reward them accordingly so they will be motivated to render their services again. There are also web sites dedicated to connecting you with the talent you need to complete projects. Use their skills to fulfill your dreams.

Proven Technique Number 2 – Plan

Begin with the end in mind is a popular phrase and it represents a very important principal. The less time you think you have, the more critical it is for you to plan. By planning carefully, you’ll be able to manage your time better and avoid costly mistakes that eat up even more of your time.

Can you imagine an archery competition where there are no targets? How would the archer know if he or she hit anything, or even came close? Too often we treat our lives and our businesses as though the target is unimportant.

You might say that you’re so busy you don’t even have time to plan. That’s usually a sign that you need to take time to plan more than anyone else. The payoff is the ability to see your entire project holistically and see efficiencies in tasks and perhaps areas where you can hire out.

Your plan is like a road map. Spend enough time to ponder through the different approaches and activities, and you will soon realize that you can save a lot more time by doing this. Make sure you are going towards the right goal and check your plan from time to time to make sure you haven’t driven off then road.

Choose a quiet place to make your plan and let your mind focus on this important process.

Every individual has a unique perception of a well-made plan. There are no specific rules in making it. Here are some tips which you can apply to your own system.

1. Write down your objective. This is a precise definition of your target.

2. Brainstorm the strategies & tactics you will employ to accomplish your objective.

3. Assess the advantages & disadvantages of carrying out those strategies & choose those tactics where the pros outweigh the cons.

4. Set a timeline or deadline in completing your mission.

5. Make modifications & back-up plans in case Plan A doesn’t work.

6. Learn from the evolution of your plan. It’s from this experience, and comparison to your original plan, that you will gain skills and talent.

The most important time management tip of all is to take action immediately. If your time is that important, then don’t waste it by sitting around or over planning. Determine your course and move. You can always make course corrections as you move along.

Did you know that stress can make you sick? I mean physically sick, not mentally sick. Most of the time when we are stressed, we say things like “I’m sick and tired” and that could be a lot truer than we think.

When the body undergoes stress, your immune system begins to drop and the body becomes more open to germs leading to unwanted illnesses. Have you ever wondered why so many high school and college students often have a cold or the flu around midterm and finals time? Maybe you have noticed that many of your co-workers will get sick when there is a really big deadline that needs to be met.

Not to worry, and I mean that literally. There are a number of ways that you can avoid stress. As much as we dread or dislike doing this you have to exercise. Working out is one of the most effective stress managements techniques there is. The exercise doesn’t have to be an intense cardio workout. In fact, taking a 30 minute walk will suffice. Your local park will usually have a walking or bike path. Just try it out. As long as you can clear your head of all the things that you think about during the day, you’re good to go.

After we leave school, we tend to forget to do something really basic, something that is intrinsic to our educational learning. Believe it or not, writing can relieve large amounts of stress. Expressing yourself in the written form can reduce your stress level. You don’t have to be a writer, just try it anyway. Everyday for a week, just write about anything and everything that comes to mind. Don’t want your hand to cramp up from holding the pen so hard? Then type it out on your computer. You can keep it to yourself or you can post online, there are many blog websites out there. If you read other peoples blogs, you’ll realize you are not alone. Still not convinced that writing does the trick? If you are creative in anyway, do what expresses you and your feelings. If you were a musician before, then try playing; a painter, then get some canvases; a singer, then find some music you like and sing along. There are endless ways a creative mind can relieve itself from stress.

We should never be afraid to express ourselves. I was once told that it is okay to have a healthy crying session every now and then. If you feel like talking instead, call up that best friend or that sibling and speak your mind. Are you feeling angry? It is okay to feel angry, it really is. Emotions are a necessary part of being human so do not deny yourself that because if you do, you will stress out.

Relax your body-center. I know that may sound a little bit crazy, but body-centered relaxation is a lot more common than you think. Yoga, massage therapy, aromatherapy, and breathing exercises are different forms of body-centered relaxation. I bet that sounds better than exercise right now, doesn’t it?

Finally, try to distract your mind from the stress by different activities. There are many ways to relax your mind, meditation and self-hypnosis are a couple. If that’s not your cup of tea, you could try listening to relaxing music. Those are just some of the very simple ways to relieve your stress.

Now let’s move on to what we can do to minimize stress in our lives. Time management is something you start to get a better grasp of as you grow older. However, the majority of the adult world often has no concept of time management which can lead to high levels of stress especially in the work place. We really should put some effort into prioritizing our schedule so that we have an agenda and we are not just scrambling around like a lost soul in the dark, stressing about what you think you have to do next.

This next one is a tough one. You should try to find an effective way of dealing with stress. By that I mean that you should figure out what works and what doesn’t work for you in reducing your stress levels. I mentioned this before, and here it is again. You have to be healthy. That means you have to eat right, sleep well, and limit your alcoholic and smoking intake. That might sound like a sacrifice but it works. Try to make strong relationships with your family and friends. Studies have shown that those that have a strong personal network or support system can deal with stress a lot better than those who don’t. Finally, minimize or stop all together those thoughts that cause stress. Work on your problem solving and you could feel so much better.

In terms of evaluating stress levels, there are a variety of causes. Your stress level could be based on your family genetics, how much family support you have, your own attitude, or your ability to bounce back. Ultimately, your level of stress depends on how you perceive it and how long you let it last. There are a few ways to evaluate your stress level. You can go the professional route and talk to a counselor about it. Or you can check online, there are many stress level calculators on the Internet.

As mentioned before, stress can affect your physical self. The more stress you have, the more likely you are to get sick because stress affects your heart and blood vessels, nervous system and immune system. The most common stress related issues are coronary artery disease, asthma and diabetes. Stress can also take it’s toll on your emotions. You can become depressed, and as a result moody, anxious, and difficult to deal with.

When we are stressed, our body releases hormones that increase your heart rate and respiratory system. The body then begins to prepare itself for danger and this is referred to as the “fight-for-flight” stress response. It can go unnoticed or it can be extreme. The more stress we have, the less likely it is we will feel good, physically and mentally. So try to eliminate that problem by not stressing out of problems most of us have no control over.

Have you gone through a lot of hair pulling because of an overlooked break? There are creative ways to get that one in a million chance. Just review your business card case. There’s a gold mine waiting there if you know how to look.

Don’t lose track of lucrative possibilities?

People, whether in business or not, receive a lot of business cards which they slip in their appointment book, pockets, or wallets. Unless they need the services of the guy whose name is elegantly embossed in the business card, they won’t take a peep. That’s why they miss out on a lot of opportunities.

Let’s take this scenario. You have applied for a job and were given a calling card to call back for an update on your application. You kept the business card somewhere in your wallet and forgot all about it. Just when you needed it, it was gone. Had you organized your business cards in a safe holder, you could have landed a job in the nick of time.

Or you’re a work-at-home mom. You have developed valuable contacts and you have a pile of business cards to show for it. You can’t afford to lose one because these are all important to your financial health. So, what are these cards doing under wraps? Get organized.

What’s your business card case for?

Your business card case is not merely a decoy or a tabletop centerpiece. It should be your prime asset whether you’re in business or not. From the pile, there could be a generous funding agency which you might need for your organization or community project, or a person who has lucrative contacts, which you can use for yourself and/or your business.

Make use of your business card organizer. If you need more than one, then by all means get more of these cases. There’s no one to blame but yourself if you fail to grab those chances because of lost or misplaced business cards.

The chances that could have been yours

Let’s not discredit the small and big things that could have come your way such as the following:

– job
– job promotion
– scholarship
– hot real estate property in California
– services of a cheaper but reputable moving company
– new but limited franchising opportunities
– free tickets to the ballgames
– a date with a gorgeous chick

This time, there’s no waiting for prospects to knock at your door. Seek them out. They are all sweating inside your business card case.

Take the driver’s seat now

Always keep in touch with your contacts, clients, and prospective buyers. You can also get tips from them for future prospecting. For all you know they could recommend new customers. It’s just a matter of knowing how to deal with them without being too pushy because you’ve got to follow business ethics too.

Get rid of your sloppy habit. Keep all those business cards and take a look at them every now and then. There’s a gold mine waiting inside your business card case.