Spring Clean Something
Spring is finally here, even if the weatherman isn’t very cooperative yet. Give your business a little TLC this spring by tidying up your messiest area, whether that is your shipping area, inventory storage, desk or even your vehicle. Getting even one area spring-cleaned will give you a wonderful sense of renewal and new beginnings.
Spring is finally here, even if the weatherman isn’t very cooperative yet. Give your business a little TLC this spring by tidying up your messiest area, whether that is your shipping area, inventory storage, desk or even your vehicle. Getting even one area spring-cleaned will give you a wonderful sense of renewal and new beginnings.
Streamline Expectations
When life gets complicated streamline your expectations and your To Do List. Only expect to get the 1 or 2 most important things done each day and leave plenty of room for the unexpected.
When life gets complicated streamline your expectations and your To Do List. Only expect to get the 1 or 2 most important things done each day and leave plenty of room for the unexpected.
Celebrate!
Another year is under your belt. Celebrate what you learned, how you grew and what dreams were realized this year. No matter how much or how little you accomplished – you moved forward. And that is what life is all about.
Another year is under your belt. Celebrate what you learned, how you grew and what dreams were realized this year. No matter how much or how little you accomplished – you moved forward. And that is what life is all about.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Focus on what is going right in your business and what you appreciate about it. It’s easy to find fault – it’s much harder to find the silver lining. Focus on the positive!
Focus on what is going right in your business and what you appreciate about it. It’s easy to find fault – it’s much harder to find the silver lining. Focus on the positive!
Reach Out
Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family and other sellers when you get scared or afraid. They can help you with ideas, experience and support. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you are alone!
Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends, family and other sellers when you get scared or afraid. They can help you with ideas, experience and support. Just because you work from home doesn’t mean you are alone!
Add Some Holiday Cheer
Why just decorate your home for the holidays? Add a little holiday fun to your eBay store banner, add holiday stickers to your packages, use holiday themed tissue paper and listen to holiday music while you work.
Why just decorate your home for the holidays? Add a little holiday fun to your eBay store banner, add holiday stickers to your packages, use holiday themed tissue paper and listen to holiday music while you work.
Shop the School Supplies Sales
What better time of the year to stock up on office supplies than right after back-to-school time? Stores discount these items even further and who couldn’t use a fresh new Sharpie, paper, binder clips, file folders or pens? Get ‘em while they’re cheap!
What better time of the year to stock up on office supplies than right after back-to-school time? Stores discount these items even further and who couldn’t use a fresh new Sharpie, paper, binder clips, file folders or pens? Get ‘em while they’re cheap!
Know Where You're Headed
Yogi Berra said: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Know where you want your business to go, right to the end, or it may wander in directions you have no desire to travel.
Yogi Berra said: “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” Know where you want your business to go, right to the end, or it may wander in directions you have no desire to travel.
Take a Photo Instead
Don’t like to accumulate a big pile of business cards at conferences? Take photos of business cards instead and add your notes to the photo.
Don’t like to accumulate a big pile of business cards at conferences? Take photos of business cards instead and add your notes to the photo.
Track Your Sourcing Miles
Are you always forgetting to record your sourcing mileage? Get a small notebook or calendar and keep it in your vehicle. Or add a mileage tracking app like MileBug or MileIQ to your smartphone. You’ll be amazed at how many miles you’ve traveled and you will be able to take advantage of a nice mileage deduction at tax time.
Are you always forgetting to record your sourcing mileage? Get a small notebook or calendar and keep it in your vehicle. Or add a mileage tracking app like MileBug or MileIQ to your smartphone. You’ll be amazed at how many miles you’ve traveled and you will be able to take advantage of a nice mileage deduction at tax time.
Stacking Trays Sort Paper Piles
Papers piling up on your desk? Go vertical and set up a stacking tray system so that you can sort those papers by type: To File, Need Action, To Pay, To Read, etc.
Papers piling up on your desk? Go vertical and set up a stacking tray system so that you can sort those papers by type: To File, Need Action, To Pay, To Read, etc.
Purge Your To Do List
Are there things on your To Do List that you avoid doing day after day?
If it’s something vital that you’re avoiding, schedule a specific time to get it done and off your list. Not something important or necessary? Cross it off your list and forget about it!
Are there things on your To Do List that you avoid doing day after day?
If it’s something vital that you’re avoiding, schedule a specific time to get it done and off your list. Not something important or necessary? Cross it off your list and forget about it!
Don't Be the Groundhog
Want to hide away for 6 more weeks of winter? Don't be like the groundhog on February 2nd. Come out of winter hibernation and get moving forward with your goals and dreams. Take one step forward each and every day in February and you'll be 28 steps closer to hitting your goal by month's end!
Want to hide away for 6 more weeks of winter? Don't be like the groundhog on February 2nd. Come out of winter hibernation and get moving forward with your goals and dreams. Take one step forward each and every day in February and you'll be 28 steps closer to hitting your goal by month's end!
Track Your Milestones
Track your goal milestones, big and small, on a calendar. It will help you see patterns of success and failure and remind you of all the hard work you put in toward achieving your goal at year’s end.
Track your goal milestones, big and small, on a calendar. It will help you see patterns of success and failure and remind you of all the hard work you put in toward achieving your goal at year’s end.
Give Yourself a Break
Do you sometimes feel like you just don’t want to do anything? Do you feel like you should go on strike, take a sick day or just plop your behind on the couch for the day?
Sometimes you just need to do exactly that. But other times it’s just a matter of inertia. Pick 1 or 2 “must do” things and give yourself permission to do just those things and nothing more. Usually you’ll get those tasks done and want to keep going.
Do you sometimes feel like you just don’t want to do anything? Do you feel like you should go on strike, take a sick day or just plop your behind on the couch for the day?
Sometimes you just need to do exactly that. But other times it’s just a matter of inertia. Pick 1 or 2 “must do” things and give yourself permission to do just those things and nothing more. Usually you’ll get those tasks done and want to keep going.
Give Yourself a Gold Star
Track your listing habits during Q4 and watch your listings grow. Whether you use the “penny” method, a spreadsheet, graph, calendar, Seinfeld chart, color-in thermometer or some other visual tracking system, seeing evidence of your growing listing count will help keep you listing.
Track your listing habits during Q4 and watch your listings grow. Whether you use the “penny” method, a spreadsheet, graph, calendar, Seinfeld chart, color-in thermometer or some other visual tracking system, seeing evidence of your growing listing count will help keep you listing.
Get Motivated
Having trouble getting motivated to list? Enter into a challenge with a friend, in a group or even just with yourself. Set a daily listing goal and try to exceed it. See who can list the most each day or who can list the most value each day. Theme each day of the week and then list items that match that day’s theme. Make listing fun and it won’t feel like a boring, never-ending chore.
Having trouble getting motivated to list? Enter into a challenge with a friend, in a group or even just with yourself. Set a daily listing goal and try to exceed it. See who can list the most each day or who can list the most value each day. Theme each day of the week and then list items that match that day’s theme. Make listing fun and it won’t feel like a boring, never-ending chore.
Don't Wait
Be sure to get your seasonal inventory corralled, organized and listed well ahead of the holidays. Nothing is sadder than a whole bunch of holiday merchandise hitting your store shelves after the holiday sales rush has ended.
Be sure to get your seasonal inventory corralled, organized and listed well ahead of the holidays. Nothing is sadder than a whole bunch of holiday merchandise hitting your store shelves after the holiday sales rush has ended.
Don't be a Wallflower
Don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation with the person sitting next to you – or across the room. Do you see Griff chatting with a group in the corner and have always wanted to meet him and thank him for that one tip he gave on eBay Radio that changed the way you do things in your business? Go for it! Step right up and introduce yourself and gush away.
Don’t be afraid to reach out and start a conversation with the person sitting next to you – or across the room. Do you see Griff chatting with a group in the corner and have always wanted to meet him and thank him for that one tip he gave on eBay Radio that changed the way you do things in your business? Go for it! Step right up and introduce yourself and gush away.
Have Some Summer Fun
The weather is fabulous. Families are traveling. You don’t have to take a long vacation to get into the summer spirit. Plan a day at the beach. An afternoon picnic. A fun day playing games with your kids or grandkids. You’ll come back to work the next day feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the next task on your To Do List.
The weather is fabulous. Families are traveling. You don’t have to take a long vacation to get into the summer spirit. Plan a day at the beach. An afternoon picnic. A fun day playing games with your kids or grandkids. You’ll come back to work the next day feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the next task on your To Do List.
Do What's Next
Having trouble getting that big project done – or even started? Don’t think about the big picture. Just do what’s next. One step … the next step … today. Another tomorrow. Pretty soon you’ll have completed a whole string of steps – one at a time.
Having trouble getting that big project done – or even started? Don’t think about the big picture. Just do what’s next. One step … the next step … today. Another tomorrow. Pretty soon you’ll have completed a whole string of steps – one at a time.
Partner Up
Do you set great big goals and then meander around not sure of how to accomplish them? Do you keep plugging along but never seem to get to the finish line?
Find an accountability partner or a mentor who will keep you moving forward on your path. Just having someone check in with you daily or weekly helps you navigate the steps you need to take. Sharing your goals, struggles and triumphs with someone who understands your journey can making all the difference.
Do you set great big goals and then meander around not sure of how to accomplish them? Do you keep plugging along but never seem to get to the finish line?
Find an accountability partner or a mentor who will keep you moving forward on your path. Just having someone check in with you daily or weekly helps you navigate the steps you need to take. Sharing your goals, struggles and triumphs with someone who understands your journey can making all the difference.
Ask for Help
Don’t know what something is that you need to list or how to price it?
Share it in an appropriate Facebook Group and ask for help. Other sellers are a fabulous resource. Just don’t use the Facebook Groups instead of doing research yourself first.
Don’t know what something is that you need to list or how to price it?
Share it in an appropriate Facebook Group and ask for help. Other sellers are a fabulous resource. Just don’t use the Facebook Groups instead of doing research yourself first.
Don't Be Haunted by "Lost" Inventory
There's nothing worse than finally selling something and not being able to find it to ship. If you're running into this problem more often than you'd like, it might just be time to take a physical inventory.
You don't have to do it all at once. Work on a set of shelves or a stack of boxes or tubs at a time. Whatever you can work through in 30 minutes or so. Then continue to do that each day until you've gotten through it all. Before you know it you'll have confirmed the location of each piece of your inventory and you won't be spending time frantically searching for something when you're trying to ship it out to your buyer.
There's nothing worse than finally selling something and not being able to find it to ship. If you're running into this problem more often than you'd like, it might just be time to take a physical inventory.
You don't have to do it all at once. Work on a set of shelves or a stack of boxes or tubs at a time. Whatever you can work through in 30 minutes or so. Then continue to do that each day until you've gotten through it all. Before you know it you'll have confirmed the location of each piece of your inventory and you won't be spending time frantically searching for something when you're trying to ship it out to your buyer.
Say: No More!
Is that pile on your desk like a Jenga game? Move one piece and it all topples over? Maybe you don't have time right now to deal with that pile ... but you can say: NO MORE!
Stop it from piling up any further by refusing to add to it. Instead, file that piece of paper, throw it away, act on it, add the date to your calendar or the task to your To Do List.
Is that pile on your desk like a Jenga game? Move one piece and it all topples over? Maybe you don't have time right now to deal with that pile ... but you can say: NO MORE!
Stop it from piling up any further by refusing to add to it. Instead, file that piece of paper, throw it away, act on it, add the date to your calendar or the task to your To Do List.
Look Ahead
Back-to-School is a great time to look ahead to what is coming next. Right on the heels of back-to-school is Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. Be sure to get your seasonal inventory corralled, organized and listed well ahead of the holidays.
Back-to-School is a great time to look ahead to what is coming next. Right on the heels of back-to-school is Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Year’s. Be sure to get your seasonal inventory corralled, organized and listed well ahead of the holidays.
Keep a "Projects I Want To Do" List
Keep a running list of all the projects, big and small, that you want to do in your business. If you have a day with very little or no shipping, use the time that you would normally spend shipping and tick an item or two off that list.
Keep a running list of all the projects, big and small, that you want to do in your business. If you have a day with very little or no shipping, use the time that you would normally spend shipping and tick an item or two off that list.
Small Steps Pay Off Big
Spending just one hour a month taking a small step toward better organization of a difficult area of your business will free up more of your time than you spent doing the organizing. Not only will it save time, but it will ultimately save you money AND frustration.
Spending just one hour a month taking a small step toward better organization of a difficult area of your business will free up more of your time than you spent doing the organizing. Not only will it save time, but it will ultimately save you money AND frustration.
Have a Sourcing Kit
Keep all your sourcing tools at the ready.
My sourcing essentials include: GPS, inventory notebook, boxes, bags, old towels, a pen, flashlight, my smartphone, hand sanitizer, wet wipes and lots of small bills and change.
Keep all your sourcing tools at the ready.
My sourcing essentials include: GPS, inventory notebook, boxes, bags, old towels, a pen, flashlight, my smartphone, hand sanitizer, wet wipes and lots of small bills and change.
Be Flexible
When life happens be prepared to be flexible.
Make those "must do" tasks your first priority and temporarily let go of the non-urgent things. Don't beat yourself up about your lack of productivity. This too, will pass, and you'll be back being super productive soon enough.
When life happens be prepared to be flexible.
Make those "must do" tasks your first priority and temporarily let go of the non-urgent things. Don't beat yourself up about your lack of productivity. This too, will pass, and you'll be back being super productive soon enough.
Keep an Accomplishment Calendar
Do you sometimes feel that you're spinning your wheels and doing the same thing over and over again, day in and day out?
Chances are that you're busy doing a lot of important things every day. And you should be tracking those successes!
Get a new calendar with big boxes where you can write your daily accomplishments.
You'll be able to look back at your year and see proof that you've been working hard toward your goals.
Do you sometimes feel that you're spinning your wheels and doing the same thing over and over again, day in and day out?
Chances are that you're busy doing a lot of important things every day. And you should be tracking those successes!
Get a new calendar with big boxes where you can write your daily accomplishments.
- Got 12 new listings up today? -- Write it on your calendar!
- Pinned to Pinterest? -- Mark it on your calendar!
- Took and edited 50 new product photos? -- Note it on your calendar!
- Finished reorganizing your shipping station? -- Put a nice big star on that calendar!
You'll be able to look back at your year and see proof that you've been working hard toward your goals.
Reflect
If you don’t ever hold up that mirror how do you know if there’s a piece of spinach in your teeth?
Reflection is important. Don’t just focus on the bad things or the things that aren’t working. It’s important to remember what has been successful and to build on those successes.
If you don’t ever hold up that mirror how do you know if there’s a piece of spinach in your teeth?
Reflection is important. Don’t just focus on the bad things or the things that aren’t working. It’s important to remember what has been successful and to build on those successes.
Keep It Do-Able
Keep a streamlined To Do List. If your list is too long it will be overwhelming and you won't even try to complete things.
Keep it short and simple and do-able. Break down big projects into manageable daily steps and take a step or two each day toward completing that project.
Keep a streamlined To Do List. If your list is too long it will be overwhelming and you won't even try to complete things.
Keep it short and simple and do-able. Break down big projects into manageable daily steps and take a step or two each day toward completing that project.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: Setting performance rewards can be inspiring
Do you regularly list 5 items every day but want to stretch further? What reward would motivate you to list 15 items every day for a full week?
Put a photo of that reward near your listing station to remind you every day to reach for that bigger goal.
MYTH: Setting performance rewards can be inspiring
Do you regularly list 5 items every day but want to stretch further? What reward would motivate you to list 15 items every day for a full week?
Put a photo of that reward near your listing station to remind you every day to reach for that bigger goal.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "I'll do that tomorrow"
Ummm .... probably NOT!
A task without a deadline will always happen tomorrow ... or tomorrow ... or tomorrow ...
MYTH: "I'll do that tomorrow"
Ummm .... probably NOT!
A task without a deadline will always happen tomorrow ... or tomorrow ... or tomorrow ...
Create a New Habit
Identify a daily habit you want to adopt. Then schedule a specific time each day to practice that habit.
Did you know that it takes 27 consecutive days to create a habit and only THREE days to undo one?
Practice Practice Practice.
Every. Single. Day.
Identify a daily habit you want to adopt. Then schedule a specific time each day to practice that habit.
Did you know that it takes 27 consecutive days to create a habit and only THREE days to undo one?
Practice Practice Practice.
Every. Single. Day.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "I'll never be organized!"
Not true!
But you will never be perfectly organized. Accept that "perfectly good
enough" is as perfect as it needs to be.
Not true!
But you will never be perfectly organized. Accept that "perfectly good
enough" is as perfect as it needs to be.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "It's going to take forever to do that!"
Not true!
It’s only going to take forever if you never take action and just keep adding to the pile. You can’t finish a marathon if you don’t run that first mile!
Not true!
It’s only going to take forever if you never take action and just keep adding to the pile. You can’t finish a marathon if you don’t run that first mile!
Know the Steps
Not sure exactly where to start to get something organized? Start by writing down all the little steps you need to do get it accomplished. The task won’t seem nearly as overwhelming when you can clearly see what steps need to be done.
Have Some Summer Fun
The weather is fabulous. Families are traveling. You don’t have to take a long vacation to get into the summer spirit. Plan a day at the beach. An afternoon picnic. A fun day playing games with your kids or grandkids. You’ll come back to work the next day feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the next task on your To Do List.
The weather is fabulous. Families are traveling. You don’t have to take a long vacation to get into the summer spirit. Plan a day at the beach. An afternoon picnic. A fun day playing games with your kids or grandkids. You’ll come back to work the next day feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to tackle the next task on your To Do List.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
But who said work couldn’t be playful too? Add some fun to your workday to make it go faster and lighten the mood.
See how many photos you can take in 10 minutes and then race to beat that total for the next 10 minutes of photo-taking. Wear a silly hat while you list … or dance to your favorite music while you pack your shipments.
MYTH: "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"
But who said work couldn’t be playful too? Add some fun to your workday to make it go faster and lighten the mood.
See how many photos you can take in 10 minutes and then race to beat that total for the next 10 minutes of photo-taking. Wear a silly hat while you list … or dance to your favorite music while you pack your shipments.
Take a Break!
Scheduling breaks into your workday will keep you on task, on target and moving forward. Stop for lunch. Take a mid-morning coffee break to talk with a friend or walk the dog. No one can work non-stop. Build some breaks into your day and you'll increase your productivity.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "I can't afford to take time away from my business"
You take time away from your business every day if you while away hours on Facebook watching cat videos. A planned vacation, whether for a week, a weekend or a day refreshes you and gives you energy and enthusiasm to return to your work tasks.
Every needs -- and deserves -- a day off now and then. So plan ahead for a fun one!
You take time away from your business every day if you while away hours on Facebook watching cat videos. A planned vacation, whether for a week, a weekend or a day refreshes you and gives you energy and enthusiasm to return to your work tasks.
Every needs -- and deserves -- a day off now and then. So plan ahead for a fun one!
Purge
Spring cleaning is a great time to purge some of your older inventory.
Letting go of stale non-selling inventory can make you and your store feel leaner and lighter.
Letting go of stale non-selling inventory can make you and your store feel leaner and lighter.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "It'll sell when the 'right buyer' comes along"
If you've had something listed for years and it still hasn't sold, chances are that the "right buyer" isn't interested in your listing. Maybe the price point is uncomfortable for your potential buyer, maybe it's not in perfect condition or maybe there really isn't a "right buyer" out there.
Sometimes older inventory just needs to be liquidated and released.
If you've had something listed for years and it still hasn't sold, chances are that the "right buyer" isn't interested in your listing. Maybe the price point is uncomfortable for your potential buyer, maybe it's not in perfect condition or maybe there really isn't a "right buyer" out there.
Sometimes older inventory just needs to be liquidated and released.
Check Your Costs
When you're inventorying your shipping supplies, create a list of all your "standard" supplies and note your purchase cost.
When you reorder supplies during the year you'll know whether or not your costs are going up on those items.
When you reorder supplies during the year you'll know whether or not your costs are going up on those items.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: "I'll Spring Clean Later"
Are you putting off spring cleaning thinking you'll get to it "soon"?
Don't delay!
Once the weather changes and the temperature gauge heads upward you won't feel like cleaning, sorting, tidying and refreshing. You'll be much more focused on summertime fun.
Are you putting off spring cleaning thinking you'll get to it "soon"?
Don't delay!
Once the weather changes and the temperature gauge heads upward you won't feel like cleaning, sorting, tidying and refreshing. You'll be much more focused on summertime fun.
Myth of the Month
MYTH: I didn't get a 1099-K from PayPal so I don't have to claim any income.
Not True! You only receive a 1099-K from PayPal if you had 200 transactions AND $20,000 in revenue received through PayPal.
So whether you earned $200 or $200,000, it is against the law not to report ALL income received to the IRS. As a business you can offset any earnings with deductible business expenses such as the cost of your inventory, mileage, shipping, wages and selling fees. Consult your tax preparer if you’re unsure of what expenses you can claim.
Not True! You only receive a 1099-K from PayPal if you had 200 transactions AND $20,000 in revenue received through PayPal.
So whether you earned $200 or $200,000, it is against the law not to report ALL income received to the IRS. As a business you can offset any earnings with deductible business expenses such as the cost of your inventory, mileage, shipping, wages and selling fees. Consult your tax preparer if you’re unsure of what expenses you can claim.
Schedule a Desk Day
Make an appointment with yourself for an hour or two once a month to take care of your bookkeeping and paperwork.
You’ll stay on top of your numbers, filing and reporting and you won’t have to deal with a whole year’s worth of these tasks piling up and taking days of your time to get done.
You’ll stay on top of your numbers, filing and reporting and you won’t have to deal with a whole year’s worth of these tasks piling up and taking days of your time to get done.
Change Up Your Location
When you work from home, sometimes you just need a change of scenery to jump start your productivity.
Take your computer and a couple projects with you to an internet café, co-working space or library to help break up the tedium of always being at home. Occasionally working from a different location will give you a different perspective on your day and stimulate your productivity.
Relax and Refuel
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Even if you can't get away for a week, relaxation and downtime are important -- especially if you work from home.
Everyone needs to refuel. Turn off your cell phone. Don't check your email. Stay away from Facebook and other places where you engage for your business. Even if it's just for a few hours every day -- shutdown completely from work. Let your mind focus on fun, family, hobbies and even food. You work hard. Give yourself genuine downtime each day and you will feel refreshed and reinvigorated and ready to take on the world again. |
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Do You Use Tool Kits?
title
Are there supplies that you always use to ship? take photographs? prepare listings? Keeping those things together near where you will be using them will make starting and completing your tasks so much easier. If that means keeping a lot of smaller items corralled, then use a decorative basket or a small box to house them all. You'll be able to grab that basket when needed and then tuck it away out of sight when you're through. You'll never have to spend time hunting for that pen, measuring tape, camera charger or fragile label again. All the necessary supplies will be right where you need them and ready to go when you are. What kinds of tool kits could you put together to make your life easier?
Multi-taskers get less done!
Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you'll get your To Do list done faster if you work on more than one thing at a time. When you multi-task you're only giving each job part of your attention. You don't retain things you hear. Your concentration is split between tasks. And doing so only leads to confusion and overwhelm.
Instead, do only ONE thing at a time and stick to that task until you're done with it.