Time Management for e-commerce - wisdom from Steven Covey 

Habit 3:  First Things First

Time Management for e-commerce is an absolutely critical skill area. Time management can be the single biggest block to even starting an e-commerce business. And for an established, busy e-commerce business owner,  managing time is just as critical.

In this episode, we focus on the learnings from  the wonderful book (and also audio book) -

"7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Steven Covey

Links to related podcast episodes/show notes around self management for e-commerce entrepreneurs:

For the other episodes related to time management for e-commerce and based on this book and philosophy:

Inside Out (episode 283)

Habit 1: Be Proactive (episode 284)

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind (episode 298)

Habit 3: Put First Things First

Productivity Question [for Time Management]

“What one thing could you do (something you aren’t doing now) that, if you did it on a regular basis, would make a tremendous positive difference in… your work life?”

(Quotations from Covey, Stephen R.. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (p. 155). RosettaBooks. Kindle Edition)

[What is habit 3?] [Time Management]

"Habit 3 [time management] is the… practical fulfillment of Habits 1 and 2. Habit 1 says, “You’re the creator. You are in charge.” It’s based on the four unique human endowments of imagination, conscience, independent will, and, particularly, self-awareness.

“I don’t like that ineffective [internal] script. I can change.”

"Habit 2 is the first or mental creation.

It’s based on imagination—the ability...to create with our minds what we cannot at present see with our eyes;

and conscience—...our own... personal, moral, and ethical guidelines...”

Habit 3, then, is the second creation, the physical creation.

It’s the fulfillment…the natural emergence of Habits 1 and 2.

It’s the exercise of independent will…

It’s the day-in, day-out… doing it.

In traditional language - time management.

Habits 1 and 2 are absolutely essential and prerequisite to Habit 3.

[Habit 1]

You can’t become principle-centered without first being aware of and developing your own proactive nature.

You can’t become principle-centered without first being aware of your paradigms and understanding how to shift them and align them with principles.

[Habit 2]

You can’t become principle-centered without a vision of…on the unique contribution that is yours to make.

[Habit 3]

But with that foundation, you can become principle-centered...by practicing effective self-management.

[traditionally known as "time management"]

…[then] the ability to manage well determines the quality and even the existence of the second creation.

“[Time] Management is...the analysis, the sequencing,... the time-bound left-brain aspect of effective self-government.“

“Manage from the left; lead from the right.”

The power of independent will

It is...independent will—that really makes effective self-management possible.

“… it’s usually not the dramatic...the once-in-a-lifetime... effort that brings enduring success. Empowerment comes from learning how to use this great endowment in the decisions we make every day.”

“Effective [time] management is putting first things first. While leadership decides what “first things” are, it is management that puts them first, day-by-day, moment-by-moment. Management is discipline, carrying it out.