Do you ever feel like you just don’t have enough time? That there’s so much on your to-do list, but no way on earth you’ll be able to get it all done?
The ticking clock is something we all face, no matter what part of the industry we’re in – stylist, platform artist, salon owner, badass stylist, educator, whatever. Finding the time to get it all done can feel downright impossible.
It all comes down to organizing, scheduling your time efficiently, and deciding what on your list is most important.
Today, we’re digging deep and diving into the four steps to finally organize your time and get more done!
Clear your space
Have you ever heard that old saying about a cluttered desk means a cluttered mind? It’s been around a while because it’s true. When you’re trying to work out of that notebook, this stack of papers, your phone, your laptop, AND your business files, your mind is all over the place.
Dedicate 20 minutes to clear off your desktop or wherever you work on pushing the needle forward your business. Keep out only what you need – computer, phone, charger, pen, notebook – and put the rest away.
Start planning
We’ll let you in on the biggest secret to managing your time effectively: planning it.
Around here, we’re big on paper planners because there’s just something so satisfying about crossing it off the list! But if paper isn’t your jam, find a digital planner that fits your lifestyle.
You want to find a planner style you love because you want to stick with it. If you know you hate paper planners and always fall out of the habit of using it after a few weeks, go digital instead.
Planners we at FSBD love:
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Google Calendar
Next, dedicate time to work on your business and set it as a recurring appointment in your schedule. Yep, an appointment, just like you would have with a client. Working on your business is just as important as time with your clients.
Chances are, there are a few other people in your life whose schedules you need to keep top of mind. Add in kids’ school schedules, your partner’s work schedule, any medical appointments, or big trips or personal obligations coming up.
Decide what’s important
Take a look at your schedule for the next week and month. What’s coming up that you need to work towards? Break down what you need to do each week to make those big monthly goals come true.
Drill down a little deeper to decide what your big three are for each day. Your big three should be things that move the needle on your business and get you closer to your big monthly and annual goals (more on goal setting and planning in this post!).
Schedule effectively
Look at your weekly schedule in your planner and find the gaps. Those twenty minutes between clients, the half-hour you have to wait until your kids’ soccer practice is over, the weekly poker night your husband always goes to. Those are prime times to knock out a task or two.
Write in the tasks for that time, because if you don’t make time for it, it won’t happen. Stick to your planner. Don’t get lazy, pop on Netflix, or put it off until tomorrow.
But don’t forget to leave margin for magic, aka white space for those brilliant, knock-you-on-your-ass ideas. Managing your time effectively doesn’t mean booking yourself back-to-back. It’s finding the right rhythm of work and life for the balance you want to strike.
Yes, you only have 24 hours in the day…but that’s the same amount of time as Beyonce and Guy Tang do. It’s all about how you spend your time, so spend it right.
Want to dig deeper into the magic of white space? Check out our post on how to create more white space in your life!