Does it ever feel like there’s not enough time in the day?
I feel that, so, so hard.
Managing your time throughout the week can be especially challenging when you’re juggling multiple projects and clients AND you set your own hours.
The. Struggle. Is. Real.
Here are 3 tips for using your calendar to maximize your time:
ONE: Block off time for literally everything!
It seems obvious - but this has been an absolute GAME CHANGER for me. Ever since I implemented this method my productivity has gone through the roof.
The basic concept is that you focus on ONE task at a time, and you block off the time on your calendar. During that time you commit to ONLY working on that task. All other distractions should be eliminated.
When you work for yourself and run a company there are always many things competing for your time and attention.
Your calendar is now your boss.
HINT: always block off more time than you think you will need. If you get done early - use that time to step away from the madness and do something you enjoy...
This will tell your brain that there is a great reward for when you follow your calendar and are efficient.
TWO: Color-coded is your friend!
My calendar looks like a Crayola box exploded inside my computer.
Color coding is super easy on Google calendars, but you can do this on a paper calendar as well.
Color code your blocks of time according to projects, clients, or types of tasks.
For example, accounting and invoicing time can be blocked off in red, meetings in green, personal events in purple etc.
This helps give you an eagle-eye view of how much time in your day/week goes towards each kind of task, or to each client.
HINT: my meetings are in red and when I see too much red I know I’ve overdone it with my face-to-face time and can adjust accordingly. Protect that outward bound energy yo!
THREE: Use scheduling tools.
Calendly is the big one, but there are others as well. A good scheduling tool can save you HOURS of herding cats back and forth of “when is good for you?” emails when scheduling sales calls, team meetings, and more.
Calendly integrates with your existing calendar and only gives people the option of scheduling meetings at times that you mark as available. Plus, it looks super profesh.
I could talk about calendar hacks all day long, but I’ll leave you with these three tips for now.
What’s been the calendar tool or trick that’s worked best for you? Hit reply and let me know! I’d love to hear from you more. XO,
Jessica