Do you put off projects you know would make a difference in your business because you simply don’t have the hours to set aside to tackle them? All of those unfinished pieces of business are slowly draining away your energy. Getting things done that you are dreading doing, but that you know you need to do, frees up that energy. What are you putting off or feeling guilty about? Resolve to start to tackle them with baby steps…..

Borrowing Mark Twain’s wisdom: The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. This approach can spur you into taking action. And, sometimes, it’s the little things that make the difference. So, instead of wasting a small window of time, use it to take a forward action.

Take 10 minutes a day to make a difference in your business. You’ll be surprised at how 10 minutes a day will add up. After all, it’s nearly an hour a week or 52 hours in a year.

Here are 10 Ten Minute Ideas to start with:

1. Take 10 to attack the disorganization on your desk
2. Take 10 to call a past client and connect with them
3. Take 10 to catch up on reading or on newsletters from your email
4. Take 10 to enter financial data
5. Take 10 to walk around the block or exercise in some other way. Do this a few times a day and you’ll get in that recommended 30 minutes a day of exercise!
6. Take 10 to surf the web and catch up on what the competition is doing or find a new idea to serve your market better
7. Take 10 to call someone important to you that you haven’t talked with in a while because you’ve been so busy
8. Take 10 to learn something new on your real estate software
9. Take 10 to relax, deep breathe and get re-centered
10. Take 10 to laugh and lighten up

Now…. make your own list. Then print it out and keep it somewhere that you’ll see it. Pick at least 3 a day for the next week and then assess how you are feeling about making progress. This is a great way to attract new business in because you are clearing the plate from the energy drainers and it frees up space for the new stuff!

Ernest Hemingway said, "Now is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is."

Published: September 4, 2002

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Joeann Fossland ePRO, GRI, MCC, PMN, SRS is a dynamic, international speaker and business coach. She personally coaches a small number of extraordinary agents who want to leverage their production results and have a life they love! She was recognized as one of the 25 Most Influential Women in Real Estate in 2008 by Stephan Swanapoel. Subscribe to her free Tuesday Tips, attend Fossland's Forums, free monthly tele-seminars, and find out about classes delivered by email and personal coaching by visiting Joeann.com or email her at . You can also connect at Facebook and Twitter.