Yesterday my friend Chuck asked me how I have the time to write for my blog. I told him that doesn't take as long as it would appear, as I usually write and edit the first draft in my head before I type it.

This reminded me of a conversation I had with someone recently (sorry, I forget who) about the concept of making time. Unless you are a supreme being, super hero or maybe even Adam Sandler, we don’t have any control of time itself – it's what we do with the time that we have control of. Or as it appears to me and many people, we don't have control of.

I have found that it's about scheduling time, not making it. Open-ended appointments usually don't happen or do not go as well as they should, usually due to lack of preparation. I strive to schedule appointments, prepare for them, and execute on them efficiently. The fact that the appointment is written down also adds a level of accountability to the meeting or event.

This has worked well for me. Does anyone else have other ideas on scheduling time?

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I just got off the phone with a good friend, QA guru and fellow entrepreneur Eric Patel, and he used this phrase in our conversation, and it's one I have to share:

"It's not in the encouraging column..."

I'll make sure to use that to put a positive spin on my next not-so positive encounter.

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I don't receive as many email newsletters as I used to. Part of it is due to reading the same content in the author's RSS feed, part is due to an effort to reduce the volume of email newsletters I receive. Of course, I always welcome email from real people!

One newsletter I look forward to reading every morning is from Perfect Customers, a firm that offers training on how to attract and retain your best customers. With no disrespect, this is a touchy-feely, motivational email. It offers tips to give you a boost as you start your day. But it is welcome among the spam and the latest news on what Web 2.0 company has been sold.

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The phone rings, and I glance at the Caller Id panel as I reach for my headset. But I pause, as it reads "TELEMARKETING" above an 800 number. So I put my headset back and I went about my work.

Would you answer it?

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