Do you spend more time reading, sorting through and responding to emails than actually working? Could you make better use of this time, but don’t know how to take back control? Here are a few tips to eradicate over 90% of the emails you could live without.

1. Unsubscribe from ALL excess emails you receive. The ones you never read, but have to hit delete for. Most, if not all emails now come with an unsubcribe link with the email. USE IT!

2.  When you complete an online form (purchase, more info, support ticket) there’s usually a little check-box asking if they could contact you with offers and updates. DON”T check this off. Chances are you’ll b bombarded with emails you’ll never read.

3. Get rid of the fifty email accounts you have. There is NO NEED for multiple email accounts. One for personal stuff and one for business related communication will work just fine.

4. When contacting someone/company for support and you can’t get it resolved after 2-3 emails, PICK UP THE PHONE! You’re only wasting time when you start emailing back and forth. A simple phone call should get things resolved, in a much faster time frame. Remember how things were done before email!
5.  Set aside specific times when you will read and respond to emails. For this to work best, you may have to set up and autoresponder message to let the person emailing you know that you did receive the message and when they could expect a response. So your autoresponder message will say something like ” This is to confirm that I did receive your email. If its an emergency, please call me at (phone number), it not I’ll respond within the next (State time here when you think you can follow-up)” The outgoing message can be tailored to your liking.

6. If you run a website, create a ticket support system. But before they can submit a ticket, have them go through the company’s FAQ. You’ll be amazed how many unwanted emails this will prevent.

Give these tips a try and I bet-you you’ll spend less time with unwanted emails.

It’s like a ghost town at home today. All 3 girls are back in school and Caron is at work… that leaves me with just Bridget (pet dog). And unless someone knocks on the door, that dog is quiet as a mouse.

Commuters (suckers who drive in to work) with this being the first day of school after the long summer vacation, please be aware of the children on our streets today.

• When backing out of a driveway or leaving a garage, watch out for children walking or bicycling to school.

• Slow down in neighborhoods and watch for children playing and congregating at bus stops.

• Be alert. Children arriving late for the bus may dart into the street without looking for traffic.

• Be aware of red flashing lights on a school bus. This indicates the bus has stopped and children are getting on or off. Drivers must stop their cars and wait until the red lights stop flashing, the extended arm is withdrawn and the bus begins moving. It is against the law to pass a school bus when the red flashing lights are activated. A violation is subject to a $570 fine and three points.

• Slow down in school zones and residential areas and always come to a complete stop in all intersections.

• Drive with your headlights on, even during the day, so that children, pedestrians and other drivers can see you.

• Use extra caution during adverse weather conditions.

• Look for clues that children are in the area, such as school buses, crossing guards, bicycles and playgrounds. Visually scan ahead to spot children who may run into the road. Especially be aware of areas such as parked cars or other places where children might hide.

• Resist distractions that divert your eyes from the road, especially in school zones and at bus stops.

Here are a few tips for parents and us work from home types …

• Have your children put everything they carry in a backpack or bookbag so they won’t drop anything while getting on or off the bus.

• Have your children wear bright colors so they will be more easily seen by drivers.

• Make sure your children leave home on time so they can be at the bus stop before the bus arrives.

And finally, kids..

• Stand at least six feet away from the curb at the bus stop.

• Wait until the bus stops, the door opens and the driver says it’s OK for you to board the bus.

• Be careful that clothing and bookbags don’t get caught on the handrail or door.

• If you must cross the road to enter the bus, walk in front of the bus, not behind it.

• After you get on the bus, take your seat and face forward.

• Do not distract the bus driver.

• Do not stand in the aisles or place anything in the aisles.

• Speak in low voices.

• Never stick anything out the window.

• Watch for traffic as you get on and off the bus.

PLEASE be cautious!

Over the last month there’s been many changes in my life, more-so from a business standpoint. I’ve come to realize that I need to follow my dream NOW and reap the rewards in the years to come or live the rest of my life thinking “What if?”. This means entering into a world that’s foreign to me. This is casting self-doubt onto the entire venture and there are times I fee paralyzed with fear. Fear of the unknown! FEAR of losing the freedom my internet years have spoiled me with!
I DON”T WANT A JOB!

Here’s part of an article I read a while back, which deals with some of the most common pitfalls of starting a  business. ( if I recall correctly, it was featured on Entrepreneur.com)

> Buying a job rather than a business. Yes, you’ll have to be involved in the daily operations at the start, but remember that the ultimate goal is to grow your business into much more than just a job where you work hands-on every day.  Work on the business, not just in the business.
> Taking on a business partner. Most people give away equity upfront to a partner. Yes, there are examples of partnerships that work, but most don’t. Unless you’re absolutely sure about your partnership, hire people to help you out instead.
> Starting a business from scratch rather than buying an existing operation. Starting from scratch may seem cheap, but it’ll cost you the most expensive asset you have–time. Buy an undervalued company, and build it up, rather than start from scratch.
> Thinking too small. Many startup entrepreneurs want to generate a wage for themselves and nothing more. Instead, aim to build a profit, aim to build something large, and aim to build something great. If you shoot for the stars, you may fail, but at least you’ll make it to the moon.
> Trying to cost-cut your way to success. By saving a wage and doing the work yourself, you forget that nobody’s out there drumming up new business for you. Focus on bringing in the business, not saving a few pennies.

Hiring cheap employees. You get what you pay for. Getting the right people is crucial, so don’t just hire anyone. Wait until you find the right someone.
> Not testing or measuring anything. Knowing your numbers is vital.  In fact, you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Measure everything from day one, from how many new prospects you have to how many sales you make.