Pay Yourself First Having read last couple of paragraphs you might say "why doesn't she exercise later in day?". The reason I don't is that I am a "morning" person and know that by going to bed earlier and getting up early I can get it over with first thing. Otherwise if I chose to exercise later, chances are circumstances would arise and I'd postpone it.

One of my coaching clients is a runner. He originally rang me because his work and his life was out of control. He runs 20 kms a day and has done so for many years. I asked him how did he manage to religiously run every morning before work yet couldn't seem to leave office by 5.30 p.m. each night. He answered "It's easy to jump out of bed in morning and run, there's nothing or no-one able to stop me at that hour (5.30 a.m.). Yet when I'm at work there are too many demands on my time and they seem to always arise late in day."

Learn to pay yourself first. Just like George Clason wrote in his book "The Richest Man In Babylon", take 10% of whatever you earn and pay yourself first. Use it to invest, otherwise there will never be anything left once you pay everything else. And I'm sure many of you can relate to that.

How to Pay Yourself First You need to make yourself first priority. Ensure you allow time each and every day to action your own personal agenda.

Here's a couple of ideas to get you started:

Block out time each day in your diary for your exercise. Eg. Walk at 6.00 a.m. or lunchtime. Plan that first. Block out time each day to follow up on your personal issues. Eg. Book dental appointment, respond to phone calls, contact bank. Do that early in day otherwise you'll run out of time and leave it Make sure that you stick to it. Learn to say 'no' if other people want to make other plans for you during those 'me' times. You must take care of yourself first. You have power to say 'yes' or 'no' to other people's demands on your time. Treat yourself as your no. 1 priority.

The Final Word When you decide (yes, that right), it's when you decide to make yourself highest priority in your life, you'll find how much easier it is to live your life. When you decide you're worth it, it will be easy for you to say 'no'to other people's demands/requests. Of course, you'll need to learn how to organise yourself so that you are effective as possible.

Have a great week! Lorraine Pirihi

Highly successful small business owners look after their clients They know that clients are life-blood of their business. Without clients there would be no business. They ensure they continually look after them.

Highly successful small business owners are decisive They are not afraid to make decisions and take action. They have to if they want to their business to thrive.

The Final Word

Highly successful small business owners get their priorities about people, work and home right! They live longer and enjoy life more. They enjoy challenge of being an entrepreneur. They go home at end of each day knowing that they have achieved. They are fulfilled and realise that success of their business is a direct reflection on themselves.

So what are you waiting for? If you're dissatisfied with where you are now, then what are you going to do differently? It's June already. Take stock of where you're at. Do you need to make changes to improve your business so that you are able to enjoy benefits of being master of your own destiny? Or are you happy with way you are currently travelling?

Only six more months to Christmas. Will you be sitting on beach in January satisfied with your efforts or will you be making same new year's resolutions you made at beginning of t his year? Remember, nothing changes if nothing changes.

Implement 7 Habits of Highly Successful Business Owners on an on-going basis and you too will have a highly successful business.

Have a great week! Lorraine Pirihi