One of the great things about becoming an affiliate marketer is the freedom that it allows you to do what you want, when you want.

However, all of that freedom can turn otherwise efficient people into TV-watching couch potatoes in a matter of a few months. When nobody is holding you to deadlines, reigning in your expansion ideas, and expecting you to be somewhere at specific times, you may find your efficiency slipping.

In part one of this two-part blog, we will look at five tips for making the most of your newly acquired time.

Tip #1: Keep a To-Do List in Front of You

Whether you go with good old-fashioned paper, the slightly higher-tech dry-erase board, or the truly high-tech project and time management software and apps (like Microsoft Outlook, Omni Focus or http://www.RememberTheMilk.com) keep track of the things that you need to do in a to-do list.

Here are a few rules of thumb when it comes to your to-do list:

1. Keep the list in front of you so that you see it, can edit it, and live by it.
2. If it takes longer to write down the to-do task than it does to actually DO the task, just do it!
3. If something has been lingering on your list for more than twice as long as other items, make a decision on its true importance. Are you really going to do it? Is it worth having someone else do for you? If not, erase it from the list.

Tip #2: Set Goals and Tight Deadlines

You are the boss now, but along with the perks come the responsibility. Nobody (meaning you) is going to get anything done unless the boss (yes, you again) is setting goals and deadlines. Think of your projects as something that you’re outlining for an employee. What should they accomplish? How much time should it take them? When should they show results?

Use this as your guideline to get things done. In fact, challenge yourself to beat the goals and exceed expectations. You probably did that for your last boss; give yourself the same respect.

Tip #3: Create and Stick to Your “Business Hours”

When you work from home, you’ll find that people around you will think that you’re not “really” working. Your spouse will want your help around the house, the kids will want to play, and your friends will want to hang out. Before you know it, you’ll find that you’re giving in to them, and in fact, you aren’t really working.

But affiliate marketing takes time and effort. You have to invest your time into making your business a success.

So, decide on hours that you are “at work.” You don’t have to stick to 9-5, or Monday through Friday. But you should have a schedule and a place to go where everyone understands that you are “at work.” If you stick to your schedule, your friends and family will, too.

Tip #4: Give Yourself “Recess”

I guarantee that you will NOT be able to fight the urge to occasionally clean up a room, run to the store, water the plants, walk the dog, play with the kids, change a load of laundry, or catch a TV show. When you are home, these things are all around you and can trap your attention.

If they do, let them. You deserve a recess. But give yourself an end time.
Some experts say to set a timer for around 20 minutes. Do what you need to do, get it out of your system, and then get back to work.

You’ll feel better knowing that the laundry is done, the dog is walked, and the kids got your one-on-one time.

Tip #5: Maintain an “Idea Bank”

Affiliate marketing calls for a lot of creative thinking. Though this can lead to a lot of great, profitable ideas, it can also lead to a lot of time wasted on half-researching every little idea that pops into your head.

Keep the ideas flowing. But, as you think of new ideas, or come across something interesting while researching another topic, add the thought to an “idea bank.” This can be a notebook, a text file on your desktop, or another dry-erase board.

This will ensure that you stick to your goals and don’t get sidetracked by every new idea that pops into your mind. Plus, chances are that when you go back to the idea bank later, you’ll think some of the ideas you had were pretty crazy, and you’ll be happy you didn’t waste hours researching them.

For those ideas that are good, you’ll be able to spend adequate time researching and planning them after you finish your initial set of goals.

In part two of this blog, we’ll take a look at five more tips for successful time management to help you efficiently use your time, stay focused, and be successful.