Sunday evening, after dinner, Zack and I sat at the kitchen table and talked about the business. Ohhhhh, it made my heart flutter. It was super impromptu but soooo amazing. I always love those kind of meetings ;] One thing we chatted about is my schedule and how can I be a better business gal by organizing my time.
Here’s what we decided: Have a set bed time and wake-up time. It’s important I get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. No email/computer time until Zack leaves for work in the morning. Sometimes he works late so we don’t always see much of each other during the week. This new plan will help me to feel like I have my Zacky time in the morning, too :] Stop multi-tasking. Complete each task well. Save time to be inspired every day of the week. Reading, a movie, a walk outside with my camera — this is really important.
There are many more things we discussed and while at first it seemed a bit “scheduled” — it’s called a schedule for a reason, right? — yesterday was so super amazing that I know this new plan is going to work! I felt really refreshed and productive all day yesterday. This morning I got up early/on-time again and even walked Bauer as I walked with Zack to the bus stop. Now that the walk is checked off my to-do list I feel like I can really hanker down and get even more things done!!! I hope to bring you a positive weekly-recap report later this week ;]
PS. Mister sunshine, thanks for showing your self lately. We certainly have missed you.
xoxo
Love this. This is something I’m going to have to sit down with the hubby to do soon too. And I also love the “stop multi-tasking, be inspired each day” idea.
it’s been so, so helpful. especially in having more self-confidence :]
xoxo
great idea Gussy! I go in and out of phases of getting up early – but i am a night owl through and through – i just have to stop fighting it. except that Mr. Boy (who just turned 2) gets up at 6:30am so it’s tricky. I love the idea of getting outside and getting some fresh oxygen in the lungs to start the day! I bet it’s a great boost! hmmm, now you’ve motivated me… how do you do that?!! thanks Gussy! xoxo
Sounds great! :) I need to do that, too. Thanks for the reminder!
This is so good! I’m BAD about taking my phone with me everywhere- and all the time, too!! I know that when I make myself leave it in the other room, I get much more accomplished. :)
ohhhhhhhh yes. that is probably in my top 5 “no nos” lately. you can also turn off most of the alerts on your phone, too. not hearing it ding every couple of minutes has really transformed my day into a more productive day. kick the habit now! xoxo
This is really encouraging. So many times, it seems like the day flies by and I haven’t accomplished as much as I hoped. Thinking about being more intentional in how I spend me day is really helpful. Thanks for sharing. :)
Great reminder! I’ve been struggling to keep all my balls in the air. I totally agree with you on the *not* multi-tasking idea!
Ohh, I’m in the same boat as you! I need a more set schedule to feel more energized and be more productive with my freelance writing. Today I actually got up earlier than usual, showered, got dressed like I was going to the office (even though the office is next to the living room), and started working on some of my assignments right away. I made a mini-schedule based off my larger to-do list and planned in a walk with the dog and yoga. Ideally, I’d like to get up and go right for a walk and then start the day by say, 8 am and wrapping up with work by 4. That’s what I’m working towards! It takes time to get into that groove though, especially when you work at home. Thanks for this post!!
Kristin, thanks for sharing this article via Twitter! You’re the best!!!
I’m sooo bad at time management! It’s definitely something I need to work on. Some great tips to start working towards a time management goal! Thank you! :)
Proud of you, Gus! That is one of the hard things about being your own boss…if you can technically work at any time, it starts to feel like you should be working all the time. Go get ’em! :)
I love this, Gussy! I’m most productive when I have a strategy too. And the sun shining doesn’t hurt either! :)
I, too, need to lose the phone and turn off the alerts! I have been feeling it very heavy on my heart to be more intentional with my time!
Its very true. When you work at or from home its easy to get sidetracked or be willy nilly about scheduling your time. At a place of employment, its just what you do.
Putting aside my business, Ive made a rule for myself that I do.not.answer the phone in the mornings while the little one and I are homeschooling. I found out on the first day she did school that if I answer that phone it will suck me in, I’ll want to chat forever,etc…
Setting boundaries isnt always super easy. But its crucial to the success of your day. So go and have a great one! Hope its very productive for you m’dear:)
xo,
Sarah
I think having “set business hours” is really important and can be super helpful to everyone! Nice work!
I looove this post. One thing I do is I only return phone calls during nap time {unless a friend reeaaallly needs me of course}. My kids are not fans of me being on the phone and this lets me really focus on what the person is talking to me about instead of spending the whole conversation trying to keep my 3 year old from jumping off the couch.
What a great article. Sometimes a day (or several) go by and I wonder what happened to them and the work I had planned. This is a fantastic post and great tips. I can’t wait to use them in my own life! Keep up the great work!!!
LOVE this~
Greg and I are ALWAYS discussing my SCHEDULE! ;o)
I finally created a HUGE chart/poster with my DAILY schedule.
It really helps…except when I look at the SCHEDULE and say:
“I don’t have to FOLLOW that schedule…noone is here to see!”
But then THE FUR BALL tells G when he gets home…especially if I leave
off the “take Doogan on a lonnnnnng walk” part. ;o)
Good for you Miss Maggie!
You are a HUGE inspiration!
And adorable too~
xo
“no one is here to see” — gasp! ;]
That sounds amazing!
I just opened my Esty shop yesterday and I am so excited. I am also hoping to make this a full time job someday. My husband and I just had a conversation about me figuring out a schedule. How to balance family time, sewing time, inspiration time, and computer time all while having a full-time day job. It’s tough work!
i TOTALLY know how hard that can be but i also know you can TOTALLY do it! anything you want to accomplish, you can. you have to believe in yourself :] work off a schedule/goals list and you’ll figure it out ♥
I turned off most of my alerts on my phone not too long ago, and I often leave my phone on silent. That alone has taken so much pressure off me! I am a student and a Nanny so I work and go to school from home, having a routine is key!
Impromptu business meetings are always fun.
And I loved seeing the sun this weekend too!
It was in the 80s here in Lansing, MI! Crazy!
Anyways, I really need to buckle down on a schedule.
I feel like I spend more time planning what I want to do
than actually doing anything because I don’t plan time for my craft
and such. Blegh.
go Leslie, go Leslie GO GO! ♥
Haha, thanks for your support <3
okay i really needed to read this. our biggest arguments are ab me mismanaging my time, help me!!
do you have specific questions? email them to me and maaaybe I can turn it into a blog post? ♥
ps im copying you on the automated response emails, i think this will save my life! xoxo haha
I think if I could stay off the computer now…..I would do awesome….hehe ;) Keep up the great work Gussy!!!
PS-You look great in pink :)
pink is my favorite color. {did you know that?} ;D
I see why :) Is that cute shirt from Target?
This is fabulous girl! I realized a few weeks ago why I’m so overwhelmed; I’m trying to juggle mommyhood and 4 other projects and businesses that I could EASILY spend 40+ hours a week on. Since I can’t clone myself, I’m going to try different things. One of my biggest issues is getting distracted online. =x
Very inspiring! I really need to figure out a better schedule for myself… I know I try to do too much, but it’s SO hard to give things up!
i bet you’ll be happier if you do… just cut back a little. see how it works for you :]
great little tips. love them! so important to manage our time well! <3 EverRubyGirl.blogspot.com
I love this! I also love business meetings. And you are so right about the schedule, everythin can fit when you work it out! It is important to balance!
I started getting up with my Whitley, about 3 months ago. We’ve been married 16 years and I never EVER got up with him before now. The few minutes in the morning is good. Also once he’s off to work, and before the boys (four little Whitley’s) get up is now my most productive time. I call it “increasing my margin”. Giving myself more time for ME while NOT taking time away from THEM. Amazing concept.
This is seriously so cool. I kinda love that we have the same last name ;D
I just like that Zack gets to see me all prettied up before he leaves for work. My assistant’s aren’t here every day — most days — so when they aren’t it’s just a good feeling to know someone saw me dressed. Hah!
Four Whitley’s… that’s how many we want to have, too.
xoxo
That’s awesome. I’ve been thinking through some similar things- but with a 4 month old in the mix :)
It’s sooo helpful to organize time and feel like there’s set aside time for each thing… and not to feel guilty about doing something and not another (because there’s time set aside for the other thing later!)
seriously you are reading my mind. i feel like the days are not long enough and i am a stay at home mom. i feel like i go in circles and nothing gets done. i even stay up until 2 am most day (but i admit the last two hours there are online) i totally need a stragegy. my pastor always says that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again yet expecting a different result. well..i must be insane !!! time for some changes over here too !! thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for sharing! I have def got to plan my days out a little better than I have been lately.
you go, girl!! i’m inspired just by reading your posts, so keep them up!
i’m so happy to hear your new schedule is working for you:)
gina
I am loving this! Currently, I am working in what I describe as my “smorgasboard” career, and I have been kicking around the idea of a more formal schedule. I think I will have to take myself up on it.
I have the same issues! :) I have a hard time managing my time as well. Especially because I just love to work anyway. I like the idea of not touching the computer until your husband is gone off to work. I think I’m going to try that. Thanks for sharing Maggie!
I appreciate this post so much! My husband and I recently had a “meeting” where we realized that my business and computer time ( Oh- the computer time) was eliminating time I needed to take care of myself. So, while my little one eats breakfast in the morning, instead of sitting next to him checking e-mail etc, I made a daily date with the treadmill. It has been life changing. I like your idea about having a set bed time. It’s always so hard to go to bed though, because I just want to spend a little more time with my Russ :-) Thanks for this post- really!
Great post, Gussy! “Stop multi-tasking. Complete each task well” really hit home with me. XO!
I’m really proud/excited for you! I know that would be really hard for me – but definitely worth it!
SO very glad to have found your blog! I need to do the same and make myself a schedule. Thanks for this post!
I do much better on a schedule than on my own. But sometimes it’s nice to just waste away some time doing who knows what.. haha but not very productive!
Oh, this is a wonderful post! I especially love that you talk about saving time to be inspired every day.
Super relevant post! You always read about folks starting their own business to have more time for creating or time for family and I don’t really see how to make it a reality without burning out (or feeling guilty!) Great tips here! Thanks.