Managing my time

[jackie j]

I have decided to work for my self, but within a large company that has been in business for over 80yrs. It means going out delivering and picking up catolouges, hopefully with orders in. I am hopeless at managing my time.
This morning I had to drop OH for a lift as his car broke down and is in the garage, I came home and got stuck in to doing the runnerbeans for the freezer, cooking the beetroot, sorting the radishes all picked yesterday, running around tidying up as people were coming, I got loads done before they got here. Went out with them to pick up catolouges, came home sorted them through ready to go out tomorrow. Just got to hang out more washing then I am off to the lottie for a couple of hours, working all night tonight.

Couple of questions

A how do you manage your time
B would you or do you buy from catolouges that land on your doorstep.

[OllieMartin]

A, I have to be honest, I'm awful at managing my time. Fortunately I'm very good at doing things quickly to a very high standard, I just don't keep focus long enough to be incredibly successful at anything!
I leave most things to the last minute, but the way I see it it saves me following some instruction that is then retracted before it was due!
Laziness is just taking a break before you're tired!

B, I have to be honest, unless a catalogue has something particularly exciting on the front, it tends to go straight in the recycling. Thanks to the internet, if I want something; i will search for the cheapest price through several suppliers online rather than trust one supplier from a catalogue.
Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear, but then that's just me. I'm one of the 10% of people who never buy when I'm sold to.

[shirlthegirl43]

I don't mind Avon or Kleeneze catalogues. I get fed up with our Betterware person who leaves the brochure with a note saying it will be collected such a day then never comes back so I won't order from them.

I like the book being left with a collect date as I can browse as I please and buy or not as I feel.

[piskieinboots]

Managing Time - If you want to be self-employed AND make a living at it:

1) Don't turn the TV on during the day - ever
2) Keep away from Grapevine surfing (yer well, I'm on coffee break )
3) Write a list of what must be done the next day
4) Restrict your lotto/gardening time, you have to change your mind-set from 'being home = being away from work'
5) If someone needs a lift, think how you would deal with this if you were in work at a company premises, would you be able to say 'hang on, just gotta nip out and pick up hubby?' I wouldn't!
6) Ensure your neighbours know you are working and they cannot just drop around for coffee
7) Don't get stuck into personal phone calls, you wouldn't 'in employers time'

All sounds harsh I'm sure, but you need to be strict with yourself until you get used to the change in circumstances that come with working from home/self-employment.

I've been at it for nine years, I now allow myself garden time/lunch with pals during my 'working day', but I am prepared to work on into the night until what needs to be done is done.

Buying from catalogues

Hardly ever do, as with Ollie - I buy from net-based suppliers, but I'm sure others will/do

[SarzWix]

It's the same problem I'm going to have to get to grips with in a few weeks when my course starts, I'll have to try and fit in all the usual family and housework, plus the lotties, plus modding on here... And I'm the world's best procrastinator
Piskie's tips are good, I'll have to take note too

I sometimes buy from catalogues put through the door. Never Avon though, I rarely wear make-up, and most smellies make me itch! But Kleeneze/Bettaware I buy bits from - often their stuff is similar price to internet suppliers, without the postage costs added on

[TPeers]

A. Not as good as I should be.
B. I'm an Avon rep!

[Rhona]

Avon stuff is supposed to be good now. I used to get the catalogue but the girl never turned up to collect orders so it was all a bit pointless. I do tons of shopping online but am also happy to shop with anyone who knocks at the door (manure and some fabulous fresh fish so far this month). So in theory, yes, I'd probably order something, because I like pwetty things and like I say, Avon tends to perform well in beauty reviews in magazines and the like (I'm not ashamed, I read them...).

On the other bit, time management and me have only ever been on nodding terms. I'm fine at work - have to be as time limits are crucial, but if I worked from home, I'd probably end up owing money, not making it.

[FionaH]

It's the same problem I'm going to have to get to grips with in a few weeks when my course starts, I'll have to try and fit in all the usual family and housework, plus the lotties, plus modding on here... And I'm the world's best procrastinator
Piskie's tips are good, I'll have to take note too

I sometimes buy from catalogues put through the door. Never Avon though, I rarely wear make-up, and most smellies make me itch! But Kleeneze/Bettaware I buy bits from - often their stuff is similar price to internet suppliers, without the postage costs added on

When I was studying and working part time and running this place, I found I had to prioritise. Housework and tidying came right at the bottom of the list and no one died

Also we agreed that Mr H and the boys would take turns in cooking tea, that lasted about a fortnight!!

[Hilary B]

1) absolutely lousy.
2) only if I was already considering buying something that happened to be in there, or if it 'solved' a problem I already had on my mind (I do always read them).

[zazen999]

I'm told I am good at time management; but really I'm not - I just work to deadlines. If I have one that is too far away you can guarantee that it won't get done until the deadline is looming. I know what I have to do and plan it into the day.....and never ever ever ever turn the TV on when working at home. The last time I did this was when I got a phone call about the 7-7 bombings in London...apart from the day Obama was inaugurated [historic moments only].....which isn't too bad - 2 days out of 9 years working from home...

I also find that when I have work to do at home I get dressed and come down ready to work on time; sometimes if there are important phone calls to make etc; I will put my work clothes on rather than slop about in jeans....it makes all the difference.

And never ever wear a dressing gown during work hours around the house. Ever.

I don't buy from catalogues often; unless something really jumps out. I have a woodburner which sees more of them than I do. Ones that are 'put outdoors on a specific day' really annoy me as I never remember so they go straight back onto the doorstep as soon as I get them.

[jackie j]

To those of you who have answered my questions thanks, if a catolouge says 'please leave out on such and such a day' please do so as often the person who left it has to buy them. of 52 catolalouges I left out yesterday, I picked up 16 today with no orders which is fine I said I would collect on saturday but some people do put them straight back out and its better for us to return the following day to see if they have been put out especially if its wet. I will pick the rest up tomorrow as promised and re deliver to the next 52 houses and pick up on monday. At least I will be fit.

[jackie j]

Picked up my first couple of orders, not a large amount but its a start, pick up next lot on Monday so tomorrow I intend to have a full day at the lottie, OH and daughter will have to see to themselves.

[dexterdoglancashire]

I hope it all goes well for you Jackie. I used to be an Avon rep, many years ago, but I didn't have enough time to do it working full time as well, so I stopped. Nowadays I do occasionally buy Avon from the lady down the road, but for all other catalogues, they go straight into the recycling bin. I had an unfortunate experience with one person which has put me off buying from them. Do let us know how you get on. Could you also given them to your family and friends? You could get lots of orders perhaps?

[RedThorn]

Good luck with your ventures and with a bonus workout too!

1) don't sleep in!
2) get dressed
3) Set yourself a "clock in" time
4) no Telly or tinternet (except during breaks as you would at work)
5) tackle your to-do list and make sure you complete all you possibly could.
6) very important - "clock Out" otherwise you'll start to resent it

As to catalogues the oh does very occasionally purchase from them. The ones that ask for a particular date to collect, very rarely collect. Make sure you do otherwise you'll put people off as if you cannot even be bothered to collect the catalogue with possible orders how are you actually going to handle the order when you do get them?

Again the best of British and all that jazz. Good luck and hope it works out 4 you

[jackie j]

I hope it all goes well for you Jackie. I used to be an Avon rep, many years ago, but I didn't have enough time to do it working full time as well, so I stopped. Nowadays I do occasionally buy Avon from the lady down the road, but for all other catalogues, they go straight into the recycling bin. I had an unfortunate experience with one person which has put me off buying from them. Do let us know how you get on. Could you also given them to your family and friends? You could get lots of orders perhaps?

Thanks as I only work one night a week I wanted more without being tied to hours, so this seemed the best way, it will take a while to get to know who my real customers will be. Please can I say ( again ) if you do get a catolouge please put it back out as sometimes ( in my case ) we have to buy them. If after a couple of days the person hasnt collected on the day promised then by all means put them in the recycle bin. Another way is to pop a note in the front please dont leave again. The other company ( starts with a B ) who is similar to mine do not have to buy their books so no loss to them.