Time for your new business

Lynne Franks talks about how to find the time in your busy day to start your own business.

Whether you are single or have a family, are currently working nine-to-five or juggling several part-time jobs, something's got to give if you want to devote some quality time to your venture.

Here are some wise words from different women who've learned to get more out of every hour, without sacrificing their need for relaxation - because starting a business the feminine way involves decreasing your level of stress, not adding to it.

The early riser
'I realised that if I made a very simple change in my day-to-day life, I would have the time I needed to begin to realise my dream. I simply set my alarm clock for one hour earlier. I gave myself an hour every day, as a gift. It's the perfect time for me, too. The rest of the world is quiet and I can think about my project with a fresh mind, before the onslaught of kids and work routine.'

The conservationist
'So-called 'vampire' friends who just want to suck my energy have had to go now that I'm working for myself. I love seeing my close friends, but I don't want to see complainers and professional 'victims'. The trouble is they are often attracted to strong people and, although I'm sympathetic, I want to conserve my energy.'

The date maker
'For me, carving out the time I needed meant, first of all, noticing where all my free time was being eaten up: dinners and films with friends, phone calls and watching TV. I had rationalised that I needed the R&R time after work to get together with friends or come home and 'veg' out in front of the 'tube'. But not every single night of the week! Now I keep the date with myself to work on my business plan two nights a week.

The list maker
'I make lists of everything I have to do the night before. I write them in an attractive notebook and stretch time by crossing out the jobs that aren't really that important. The time they would have taken up now belongs to my SEED project.'