Several studies have shown that many first-time entrepreneurs spend too much time on "non-essential" activities within a business, activities that have nothing to do with business, or that have little impact on business success. At end of each business day (when it finally ends), they are left feeling stressed out, burned out, separated from their personal lives, and worse yet, with a feeling of non-accomplishment and inefficiency.

You probably have met entrepreneurs like this occasionally in your own life. They constantly seem "busy", yet they are constantly late for appointments, don't ever have time to attend personal activities or outings, and are always stressed out about what still "needs to be done" each and every day!

A "personal time deficiency" occurs when an entrepreneur seems to spend all their time either working on business, or thinking about business. The entrepreneur can neglect family, friends, activities and personal pleasures, in pursuit of business functions. This is not only counter-productive to business (creativity shines through when entrepreneurs also schedule time away from business), but personal losses can occur to entrepreneur. Horror stories abound about divorce among entrepreneurs, shattered family lives, and personal ruin.

What causes "personal time deficiencies"? A variety of factors:

1. An entrepreneur does not sufficiently plan every activity during working day, with a pre-set amount of time allotted for each business activity. Without an active "work schedule", an entrepreneur can feel unrestricted, and therefore spend too much time on some activities and not enough on others. All activities should be done "on schedule" if possible and within a certain amount of time. Too much "fussing" over each activity will lead to very little accomplishment each day. Neglect of other activities will lead to a sense of little accomplished.

Count me in. ;)

Here are several points for you to consider, when you're making your decision.

1. It's better to acquire at least some financial knowledge first.

I'd go to Robert Kiyosaki and his games "How to Quit Rat Race," his "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" really seems to drive point home.

2. Define your goals, so that you knew where you go.

I recommend to take this free mini course: http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goal-setting-tips.html "7 Goal Setting Tricks" - it will put you in right direction.

And I highly recommend John Reese's brain dump exercise. http://www.marketingsecrets.com/massiveissue.html

3. Accustom to some time management system, so that you could make best of your time, not going in too many directions and not trying to do it all.

I'd recommend Brian Tracy's "Maximum Achievement" and Dan Kennedy's "No B.S. Time Management".

Read also this article by Brian Tracy: http://www.mercola.com/2002/jan/23/efficiency.htm

That question "What's most valuable use of my time, right now?" will help you a lot in getting your priorities straight.

4. Start practicing your organized work at home today - little by little, you'll get used to organizing your work best way.

As Jim Rohn says, "Never begin day until it's finished on paper." - Always make a plan for your next day - even a small task, but try to get it done.

5. Sometimes it's better to postpone quit until you have enough money, courage, whatever... but sometimes we succeed more, when we just dive in.

It seems like when we have no choice, we get more determined to succeed, more focused, so we can accomplish much more.

Jim Edwards had a lot to say about it: http://www.howtogetanythingyouwant.com/

6. Work smart, not hard.

When your plan for day is ready, look over it and ask yourself: "How can I accomplish these tasks quicker?"