Have you thought about starting an online business, but wondered how you could find the time to do it? Have no fear! You have more time than you think. Here are five ways to squeeze some more productive minutes out of your day.

You may have heard that if you want to get something done, give it to a busy person. And it's true. Busy people get more done than people with time on their hands.

I think it was Parkinson who said that "work expands to fill the time available." If you know that you have all day to clean the house, then guess how long it will take? If you know that you have Saturday afternoon to clean up the garage, guess how long it will take you to do it?

And here's another quirky thing: Those who live closest to church struggle the most to get their on time. Why? Because, they reason, "we have plenty of time."

Just think what you could accomplish if you really believed that you were short of time. You could start a business. Here's how.

1. Read your email no more than twice per day, and never first thing in the morning.

Most people will refuse to follow this suggestion. For them, starting their day with email is right up there with having a cup of coffee. They feel that they can't live without it. But you can.

Think about it. What percent of the messages that you get every day require immediate action? Or even your attention within a couple of hours? Very few.

So, quickly check your inbox 15 minutes before you go to lunch, and half an hour before you quit for the day. You'll be amazed at how quickly you can go through them when you don't have the entire day ahead of you.

2. Schedule time for social media.

That means that you don't just get on your favorite site and start reading messages. Set aside a half hour before you get ready for bed. Treat it with no more importance than your email.

3. News

Almost all news is entertainment. That is, your knowledge of it has no bearing on what you will do. Content yourself with picking up the odd headline.

4. Video games

Recreation is important. But, how many gamers do you know who limit their playing time. If this is something you enjoy doing, then restrict the time you spend on it.

5. TV

Record the programs you want to watch, and then view them at a convenient time for you; but don't just turn it on to see if there's anything you want to watch. You'll burn up an hour just watching each channel for 30 seconds.

Pessimists, realists, and naysayers: that about covers the gamut of those who think you're wasting your time online, right? And it's not as if you don't have to face your own doubts every day. So, how can you cope with all of this unwanted advice?

Let's define our terms. Pessimists are those who, no matter what, always put the worst possible interpretation on circumstances. You say something good about it, and they invariably will say, "yes, but."

Realists are proud of themselves for not wearing rose-colored glasses. In their view, they see things as they are: no better, and no worse.

Naysayers can be either, or both. But one thing you can be sure of; neither they, nor their ugly sisters believe that anything good will come of your attempts to start an online business.

All three groups will offer "helpful" suggestions. Here are three.

1. "Why don't you get a real job?"

By that they mean that you get someone to hire you for 40 hours per week. They pay you biweekly or monthly, and give you a couple of weeks off each year.

When you hear that, then think to yourself, "A real job means that I'm just-over-broke, working below my capability, making money for someone else, of which I get to keep a small percentage. And I could lose that j-o-b anytime because of the whims of my boss."

2. "You can't be serious. No one makes money online."

Lee McIntyre, a multi-millionaire, once said that when he applied to become a member of a networking organization, he was turned down because the board didn't think that he had a serious business. He recalls thinking to himself that his income exceeded the sum of those who didn't think much of his business.

In many respects an online business is quite different from one that is offline. Depending on the person, I'll ask if he or she would like to know more about how it works. Hardly anyone does. An online business isn't a "real" job; it's much better than that.

3. "It'll never work."

Funny how those who most commonly make this statement have never had a business of their own. That means they really have no idea what is required, what you need to think about, or what decisions you have to make.

When you hear that, just remind yourself that they have as much to offer as an empty oil drum.