I have a good friend who runs a very successful
business that gets up very, very early. He is at
his desk before most people turn on their coffeemaker.
I, on the other hand, don't like to get out of bed until much later.
Usually I hit the office around 9:30 AM or even 10:00 AM.
Financially, I'm doing pretty well. I don't have
my friends kind of money, but he is a couple of
decades older than I am, and has owned his business
for almost thirty years. I am in the beginning of my
fifth year.
The other day I calculated that if my business continues
to grow at the same pace, I will have surpassed his in
my 11th year.
That means I will have shaved two decades off what
he has accomplished financially. The numbers are pretty
impressive, but projections are just that, projections.
My friend has been needling me for quite some time
about my office hours. He says I would be more productive
if I started at my desk at 6:30 AM, like he does. He says
I waste a good portion of the day sleeping.
But you see...I didn't go into business for myself to listen
to anyone tell me what to do. I happen to like my routine,
and I won't be changing it anytime soon.
And who decided on the work schedule anyway? Who
decided that everyone should start work at 7 or 8, and
end at 5 or 6? I don't remember being part of that discussion.
(That is probably why my Army stint didn't go well.)
The truth is, I work best when I feel best, and my body
starts humming later than most. Even when I worked
for others, and was forced to be in the office early, I
never did anything of import till around 10 AM. Then I
would focus, and outsell everyone everyday. When all
the other employees were packing it up for the day, I
was still selling, and selling some more. The next thing
you know it would be 8 or 9 PM. The last thing I would
do every day is put my name at the top of the board,
so everyone could see it when they walked in.
So it doesn't matter what time you start work.
What matters is what you accomplish when you
focus. Somedays I would outsell the entire office by
lunchtime, and then I'd pack it in, and head for the
beach. I still do that today.
Being at work doesn't count for much.
Getting things done counts, and it doesn't matter
when you start.
From the big saddle,
Jim Whelan
P.S. Many mornings I ride my bicycle for an hour
or so before I go to work. You'd be surprised what
fresh air and a little exercise can do for your
productivity. The more you breathe, the more
productive you become, and thatz a fact Jack.
Call the most productive people in the business. 206 407 3124
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