Challenge #8 Time Management - Make the most out of your time!

If we are anything alike, I would say time management could be one of our biggest issues! As a creative, I don't naturally want to stick to time limits, I just want to enjoy the process and be a bit of a perfectionist. But is that good for my business? Probably not!

Now please don't get me wrong, I am not asking you to change your personality or your natural creative flow. Because you need that, to be you! I don't want to disrupt your creative process, but I do want to fine tune it and in turn hopefully maximise your time!

I learn't a lot when starting up in my photography business. After a shoot I would spend days and days editing photos to perfection! I would experiment with up to 3 different edited versions of the same image to give myself options, to give the client options and to show off all that I can do with the wonders of Photoshop! But I soon came to realise that if I spent this long to edit  a shoot, I couldn't realistically do many shoots. So I made a plan to maximise my time so I can realistically fit more photo shoots into my diary! This meant dramatically cutting down my editing time, which was actually really helpful! It meant I really developed a distinct style in my photographs, I learn't more about how to get things right 'in camera' and relied less on the use of Photoshop after the shoot. I am certain this process has actually lead to my distinct Lorah Kelly style that is recognised in my photographs today! (Yay!)

Did I 'curb my creativity'? Absolutely not! In fact, I was able to learn to be not only creative but actually very skilled in what I did. Did I maximise my time? Definitely! By only allowing myself to edit for a certain amount of time, I was able to fit more into my week, more time to be more creative!

So what can you do in your business to maximise your time. Are there areas that you just spend far too much time on? How can you cut that down?

A great tool to find out how much time you are really spending on tasks is a time sheet! This can be in the form of a spreadsheet, a chart, a pin board - anything your creative mind can come up with! The idea is to track what you are spending time on during the day. Stop every hour and record what you have done. If you really want to get into details, stop every 15 mins! Record what you have done and then at the end of the week you can look at it and have a realistic view point of how you spend your time.



Could your time sheet look like this?

The next thing to do is make an action plan! What are you spending too much time on? How can you spend less time on this? What can you do to add more time to your day?

There is so much I can day, but perhaps I'll leave it for another blog post ;) So this week, record your time. I would be very interested to see how you all spend your time! If you would like an outsiders perspective, post your time sheet in one of our social media groups and see if we can all brainstorm ideas together :)

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Challenge #7 Work With Your Natural Rythms

Something I have been working on and trying to pay more attention to lately is my natural rhythms and my natural flow! Do you ever feel like you are wading through mud or struggling more than is reasonable to get a task done? Or finding yourself continually procrastinating? I am very often telling myself off for scrolling through a nearby magazine or flicking through Facebook or finding some random task to do that doesn't necessarily need doing. Usually this happens when I just can't face the actual task that needs to get done, and I am starting to think that it means something! 

So I've started to try do something a little differently :) I've started to take note of these times to try and see why I might be feeling that way! Maybe there is a pattern? Maybe I have more energy, creativity or brain power at certain times of day! So Maybe, I should be more mindful of what tasks I do, at what times of the day?

I have in no way figured this out completely for myself yet, but as I have started experimenting, I have already begun to see some results! One Monday afternoon, just after lunch, I sat down to create my marketing plan. But I noticed I spent about 10 mins just staring at my piece of paper, fiddling with bits and pieces on my desk, desperately grasping for some inspiration! But I couldn't find it, and I was really nor enjoying this experience.  The most dominant part of me immediately thought - "Just push through, this needs to be done and so you must do it now as planned!", but there was a much quieter part of me that said - "Perhaps now is not the time, maybe you'll be more inspired in the morning?". I'm surprised I heard that quite voice, as most of the time I feel obligated to listen to that driving voice! But that day I heard the quiet voice - and I listened to it! Instead of doing my marketing plan, I opened up my emails and got on with some admin until the day was over. The next morning, as soon I was up and about I rushed into the office to put together my marketing plan, and it was done within the hour! (It was a rough idea for my first draft of my marketing plan, not necessarily the finished perfected plan!)

Click for another great article on this subject!

So I'm starting to learn to follow my bodies natural rhythm's and flow, so I can really enjoy my work and be more productive! Maybe you should give it a try too! 

As always, do let me know how you get on! And remember, you probably won't perfect in within a week, but now is a great time to start thinking about it :)

x

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Challenge #6 Don't Neglect the Planning - Part 1: Your Big Vision

Who here enjoys planning? To be honest, I can find it all a little bit tedious and I have far more fun making at all up as I go along ;) Go with what ever inspiration comes and keep trying new ideas and hope it all works!

Don't get me wrong, sometimes this approach works! Some of my best ideas have been spontaneous ideas triggered by making it all up as I go along ;) But unfortunately it's not sustainable and is not the best thing for my business :)

At the beginning of this year I learn't a lot about focus and planning with the wonderful ladies at the Women's Business Club and I have been blown away by how my business has improved! Here are just a few ways I have been planning so far this year:

Business Plan

Marketing Plan

Vision/Year Plan

Week/Day Plan

I feel so much more focused and productive since putting together these plans, and I have also made sure that I use these plans in my own creative ways :) 

My most effective plan so far has been my Vision/Year Plan. I have been able to take my big vision for the year, and break it down into achievable monthly goals, then weekly goals and even daily goals! I was utterly amazed to see just how achievable by big vision was and feel confident that I will be able to achieve it this year :D 

Do you have a big vision for this year? (*Hint - you really should!*)

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Do you need some practical help with your planning this year?

Through the Women's Business Club I have some fantastic tools to help you with your planning this year! I have used these tools myself and I am very excited to be able to offer this help to you :)

1) Vision Mapping.. Map your path to success!

Take control of your own success NOW. Use the revolutionary Women's Business Club Vision Map to effectively map out a clear path for your business. This product is exclusive to the Women's Business Club to ensure your success. If you live too far away to join us you can buy the map form our shop and try to map it out yourself.


This is where you are able to plan to achieve your big vision - with monthly, weekly and even daily achievable goals! I will be running a practical workshop in Cheltenham this month for anyone who would like some help with their Vision Map. See the booking link for more details!

www.cheltenham-vision-map.eventbrite.co.uk

2) Success Mapping

In one-on-one ACHIEVE sessions we will work with you to create your very own Success Map that will take you from where you are now to where you want to be in 12 steps. We tailor ACHIEVE to suit each clients specific needs. We objectively challenge your thinking while encouraging your to achieve everything you dream of.

This would be your next step or a complimentary step to your Vision Map. I can give you much more detailed and in depth help with one-on-one sessions and your very own Success Map and Workbook. Get in contact with me for more details!

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I look forward to seeing you succeed and reach your big vision for the year! Please get in touch if you would like some more practical help!

xx

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