I have been running my blog full time while also working full time for the past almost 3 years. It takes a lot of organization and time management to balance it all! And let me tell you – it is not always easy! It takes a lot of work to keep my little business going! It’s a lot of long nights, moving around plans or opting out, getting up early, working on the weekends, etc.
BUT, I love it. So the “sacrifice” that comes along with running your own business while working, is something I’m okay with! I think I have it down to a science of being able to balance it all, so wanted to share kind of how I organize it all! Spilling my secrets and the key to how I organize my life.
Also this kind of goes without saying but I am extremely Type A so I really only function with a good routine and schedule/plan!
MY SECRETS TO BALANCING MY BUSINESS AND WORKING FULL TIME
CREATE A WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Every Sunday I sit down and go over my whole week to see it all spread out. I typically start with any campaign deadlines or due dates, and my workout schedule. Then from there I work everything around to see when I will have time for everything. This helps me prioritize my time, be able to have somewhat of a work/life balance and not feel completely overwhelmed during a busy week.
I use a paper planner, the iPhone calendar and Google calendar!
KEEP A GENERAL TO DO LIST
After going through my schedule I make a weekly to-do list on the note app on my phone. Nothing fancy – but it helps me to have it on my phone so I can access it at anytime!
I start with the most important tasks and so on. It helps me having an overall to-do list for the whole week instead of each day so that I’m able to kind of pick and choose tasks each day!
My to-do list is where I put literally EVERYTHING for that week.
If I need to e-mail a brand content approval it’s on the list, if I need to return something at Target it’s on the list. It’s pretty much the only way I can keep up with it all and not feel super overwhelmed!
PLAN ALL MY CONTENT WITH GOOGLE CALENDAR
My google calendar is my BFF. I break down each category (blog post, IG post, IG stories, IG reel and branded content due dates) into their own color to keep it all straight. This also keeps me on top of content so I can see a monthly view and make sure I have a few blog posts, and reels planned out!
TIME BLOCKING
Something that I am getting back into and it’s been extremely life changing for my business and overall productivity! If you’ve not familiar with time blocking, basically you are dedicating a certain amount of time to one single task and committed to only doing that one task!
I typically carve out 30 minutes to an hour to focus on one single task. I push away all distractions and buckle down for the set time to accomplish the tasks. If it’s 30 minutes to carve out for blog posts, I set a timer, put my phone away, close out all browsers except the necessary ones and grind! You’d be surprised at how much you can get done when you really buckle down and push away all distractions and only focus on one single task.
Time blocking ensures I actually get single tasks completely done, instead of just starting and half finishing 10 tasks!
DOUBLE TASKING
For the most part I’m a big fan of double tasking, as long as it is working for you! I think it’s easy to do a million tasks at once, call it double tasking and then never truly finish any of them.
For me, I listen to a podcast on my commute to work or brainstorm blog posts ideas. If I’m walking Quinn after work I’ll take that time to answer e-mails, or jot down some Instagram caption ideas. Work smarter not harder!
PRE-RECORD STORIES
Instagram stories is a big part of my business, and I like to be active on it daily. Because I’m at work all day I’m not able to post the content that I would if I was home, so I need it all ready to go! Every Sunday I pre-record stories for the week so I’m able to stay consistent. I will literally change outfits, and sit down and knock out 3-4 days worth of story content! Whether it’s a try on session, DIY timelapse, quick get ready with me, what I’m bringing for lunch that week, etc. I have it all ready to go in my camera roll for the week!
BATCH SHOOT CONTENT
Almost every Saturday afternoon Erika and I shoot for a few hours all the content we want to post the following week! We spend a few hours driving to different locations, changing and getting all the content we need! This has helped so much in staying consistent, and managing our time well! It’s definitely not always the most fun to spend a few hours on Saturday changing in the car and taking a million photos but it’s so worth it to be prepared for the week!
These tips + habits are what have kept me somewhat organized and sane while running a business, working, and keeping up with a social life!
One of my friends Kelly shared a blog post too with all her tips as well! She’s a full time engineer, blogger AND has a YouTube channel so she is a queen at balancing it all! Go check out her post and give her a follow on Instagram to keep up with her!
