Accountability Update (06-06-10)

Posted on 07. Jun, 2010 by Aaron in Accountability

It’s quite scary watching where your week goes, last week I mentioned I started using the same scheduling system I use at work for the projects I’m working on at home. This turned out to be quite a revelation.

The reasoning behind this schedule system was originally my employers were asking why I wasn’t getting projects finished on schedule, and I always argued it was down to interruptions during the day so in the end I set up this scheduling system to not only plan my work usually a month and a half ahead but to record all the activities I do during the day.

So, even though I’ve got the oh so laughably glorious title of ecommerce manager it’s not as spectacular as it sounds. I’m also the mug who fills in the cracks wherever they may be in the works whether someone is ill in sales I go and cover as a sales person, or propping up the two workshop managers who have no idea of how to communicate or organise the flow of information they deal with on a daily basis, to driving around town fetching parts or dealing with the accountants, oh, and I also look after the company payroll.

When it boils down to it I actually spend less than half my working week doing what I think I should be doing which is ironic really in that it’s what I really enjoy doing and benefits the company on a massive scale.

Anyhow rant over, I thought I’d turn my attention to my own projects and where I seem to be leaking time. Well it’s only the first week and I seem to have spotted a few holes already that need patching up. I don’t think this is a case of being totally regimented in allocating time but spotting the problem areas, a bit like budgeting your finances and spotting where you’re wasting big chunks of money.

Then saying, ok maybe I do spend just a little bit too much time watching TV after dinner or wondering why you’re going food shopping 3 times a week when you can do it all in one go.

I’ve also started a new site to hopefully pull in Amazon commissions, the really exciting part is I don’t see anyone else doing what I’m doing to the same extent, similar maybe but not the same level of quality which I really think will boost the CTR on a massive scale. Only time will tell but I think this is a real money maker.

The bulk of this week however has been making real money from my web design skills. Whichever way you slice it, it’s a lot more money than I’m earning from affiliate commissions right now and the way I’ve built my business model means the lifetime value of each client is going to be massive without any doubt. Even better, they’re getting a great deal too so everyone’s a winner.

Hours worked – 8hrs (Back to work full time)

Activities – Mostly private web work

Summary – Very productive week, although I did spot quite a few holes where I’m still losing time.