Don't think that you no longer have to punch in, that you don't have to do the 9-5 grind. I grew up in a small town in Maine just outside Bangor, the home of Stephen King. When I was in high school we got to meet him at our high school. What amazed me most was his routine. Everyday he got up and set down at his typewriter. He went to work everyday just like anyone else.

Years, later, I was fortunate enough to spend a month with Billy Blanks, the Tae Bo guy. Besides learning that I hate exercise more than I love being in shape, I also learned that building habits was the key to success. Someone who builds good habits actually stops hating those things that seemed like horrible chores and look forward to it. I never did get that "bug" to work out. But when I recommitted to photography full time, I found that I could not let myself go a week without a photo project. Nowadays, if I don't shoot something, I go insane.

One of the secrets of success is that there are NO SECRETS TO SUCCESS. If you are having a hard time finding time, and wonder how other people do it, here is the answer: TIME MANAGEMENT.

Stephen prioritized his day into his work time and free time. Billy created habits and discipline so that those priorities became second nature...and now you will to if you do the following--

(Oh great, now Josh just throws out some catch phrases and I yawn)

Hey now, catch phrases are catch phrases because there is truth to them.
Keeping clients satisfied, meeting deadlines and keeping the business running in a profitable and efficient fashion, as well as providing you with enough time-off each week, are the most important goals.

Better organization can provide you with two great rewards. First, it reduces stress levels in your life because you are "more on top of the game," and you will feel like you're accomplishing more. Second, it will free up busy time and give you more personal time. Get even one habit of time management and you will see results.

1. Let your Date Book be your Boss

Start carrying a medium-sized notebook and pen with you. Don't take your choice of book lightly. I had those small Covey organizers and found that I really like to take notes and needed a 8x10 calendar book. I tried PDAs but there was something more comfortable about writing for me. But that isn't important. What is important is that you get a date book that homes your TO DO list and schedules your day.

The brain works in a cycle, and as you are participating in a task -- such as driving or eating lunch -- your brain is thinking, and you will come up with ideas and suggestions that you can later acknowledge by writing them down, not by forcing yourself to "try and remember." When you are working you loose your sense of priority and once you get in the habit, you can just let your schedule set up your time for you.

In my case I keep two books. One is my schedule of things to do and goals to achieve and the other is a book that is a diary of what I did that day. Because I forget what I need to do as well as what I accomplished. You never know when you need to look back and find out that number of someone that called you. It also lets you know how busy or lazy you have been.

2. Maximizing time

"To do" lists are fine, but make sure that the work gets done and that you just don't make more lists! Give yourself a deadline to complete these tasks. The list must turn over every two weeks. Move items to your calendar weekly and then cross them off your list when actually completed.

Sort, don't just move things around. One of the biggest time-wasters is moving mail and pieces of paper around your workspace. Pre design the home for your stuff. In my Microsoft Outlook I have about 60 folders. You can easily use the mail management tool to presort your mail a soon as it comes in.

If you can do the same thing with your real paper you are golden. The ten seconds it takes to do it right and file stuff immediately will save you hours later on.

3. How to build good habits

If you have ever worked in an office, you know that you hate those weekly meetings where everyone sits down and rehashes all the stuff they already need to do. BORING! That is, until you are the boss, and then you want to make sure that everything getting done. Those warm fuzzy meetings lets you know that everything is on track.
Well you are the boss, the VP, the worker and the janitor. Take ten minutes in the morning and get a coffee and scone-- and while drinking the java write out what you need to do today. Make sure you write it. By putting it on paper, you have made it real and not just a floating concept in your noggin.

Go about your day, and the next morning pull out your TO DO list over coffee. Did you get anything done? No? Guess again, you just successfully started a habit of making a TO DO list. You have just started a habit.

Now lets start one at the end of the day when you look at your list and make a daily evaluation of things you got done and what you could have done better. Did you mean to get those prints done, but ended up watching the Planet of the Apes marathon? Well, let your guilt reaffirm your resolve tomorrow. Because you know have TWO good habits at the beginning and end of your day.

Now lets see if we can get your lunch hour down from 3 hours to 30 minutes.

4. MENTAL HEALTH

It has been proven that stress kills. It is also proven that small things like forcing yourself 30-45 minutes a day to meditate and exercise not only makes you healthy, but it removes stress, increases energy, etc.

Oh Josh, I don't have time to work out. You don't work out. WRONG! I DO work out. I am just not very good at it. If you are too tired to work out, it is probably because you aren't working out. Jump the track and give it two months, and you will find that not only that you DO have time to exercise, but that you get a real rush from it. Don't worry about getting buff, worry about climbing stairs without a huff.

And while you are at it, give up the cigarettes and the puff puff puff. I gave up smoking, and found that I had an extra hour or two in my day. Forget the health concerns, and think about the cost in productivity of your day.

If you still can't get organized, take a Covey Course (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) ...I took the course years ago and it was truly life altering (as far as work goes).