I made the observation about a month ago that my salary reached a stagnation point. It had been the same for… a while. “But I work so hard!” I kept thinking. But was that really the case? I set out to find out and was shocked by what I found.

I wasted a lot of time. Sure, I was sitting in front of the computer, but I wasn’t actually doing anything important. I would check email, visit the social networks (all to promote my work, you see), and make plans about my goals. In other words, I was doing very little work that actually yielded a profit.

Something needed to be done.

Since then, I’ve overhauled my entire system and I’m finally breaking out of my income rut. I’ve tried several systems, but this is actually the one that works for me.

• Hours in the worday? The first step was to decide how many hours per day that I would work at a minimum. I set my minimum at five hours and my maximum at eight.

• Get a small notebook. I devote one page for each day. At the top of each paid, I write the numbers 1-8. When I complete an hour, I check it off.

• List of tasks. Also in the notebook I complete a list of tasks filled with things that I want to get done that day. As I complete each item, I cross it off.

• Set the timer. I have a cheap kitchen timer - you know the ones - they’re usually white, you turn the dial, and it clicks. This is what I use. I set the timer for 60 minutes and start working. The clicking keeps me focused.

• Keep track of each hour. I also have a document on my computer where I keep track of exactly what I do each day. I date each entry and list absolutely everything. I break it up into hours, too. So for Hour 1 I might check my email, visit forums, and write an article. Each hour is different. Each day is different.

My system works for me. I’ve had several different methods since I started my business in 2002 and this is the best I’ve come up with. It keeps me motivated and focused. It also encourages me to take a break now and then. In the past I’d work all day just because I thought I needed to. I don’t always need to.

Come Up With Your Own System

Are you looking for a system of your own? You can start by following mine. If you don’t like it, make changes. The first method I ever used was a copycat of someone else’s. I developed this over years of experience. If you’re new to this, it may take you a few tries before you find a method that works for you.