Karen Brown Tyson

Tag: #productivity

The Ultimate Planner Guide for Staying Calm and Organized
For me, there’s nothing like a good planner. The planners I use help me stay organized and bring calm to my life.

When looking for a planner, it’s key to remember that the best one is not necessarily the most sophisticated. I’ve learned over the years to choose a planner that fits my lifestyle and schedule comfortably, so I’m motivated to use it regularly.

Once I found the perfect fit, planning became an invaluable part of my life.

Cultivate What Matters Season by Season Planner

But I know that finding the right planner can be overwhelming. In this post, I have done the work for you and have compiled a list of some of the best planners.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.

Hobonichi Techno Planner

First designed in 2001, Hobonichi planners have been helping customers organize their lives for over 20 years.

Its A6 size makes it perfectly portable to be carried in all kinds of bags, and the leather binding makes it durable to a little wear and tear (let’s be real, it’s a planner at the end of the day).

The paper is thin and light but allows ink to glide on the paper nicely without worrying about bleeding.

This is the perfect compact little planner if you’re looking for something you can always carry with you.

Pros
- Size – A6 size makes it small and compact.
- Lays flat – The planner lays flat, making it comfortable to use.
- Tomoe River paper – Very smooth and light paper; it works well with fountain pens.
Cons
- Size – A6 may be too small for some.
- Price – The price may be slightly high, given the small size.
JSTORY Large Weekly Planner

If you need somewhere to scribble down your to-do list, this planner may be the one for you.

It has a super simple layout, with just the first letter of each day printed out, with plenty of space to jot dot what needs to be done.

It’s thin, comfortable, and perfect for those who prefer a minimalist design. It is available in three sizes: medium, large, and big.

Pros
- Simple layout – Enough space on the pages to write what you need.
- Price – Affordable price.
- Size options – Three size options are available: medium, large, and big.
Cons
- Layout – The layout may appear bland for those who want more space to doodle.
- Design – The design can be basic for those who like more intricate designs.
The Self-Care Planner

We all need a little self-care sometimes, and this planner will help you.

As well as organizing your daily tasks, this planner helps you track your mood, sleep, meals, water intake, and more.

It’s been created with self-care at its forefront. Its unique approach helps you achieve more without feeling stressed or overwhelmed and encourages you to prioritize your daily happiness and well-being.

An added bonus is its gorgeous design. It features thick, bright white paper, a fabric cover, and gold foil lettering.

Pros
- Not just a daily planner – This planner focuses on happiness and well-being and your daily tasks (see also ‘2023 Season by Season Daily Planner Review‘).
- Attractive design – Its lovely design looks wonderful sat on your desk or workstation.
- Broad choice of colors – This planner is available in 7 different colors.
Cons
- Size – The planner may be too big to carry around comfortably.
Traveler’s Weekly Vertical Planner

This planner is perfect if you’re buying it anytime throughout the year, allowing you to fill in the dates as you wish.

In addition to this, some pages have vertical monthly calendars where you can fill in important dates such as birthdays, anniversaries, or any events that are coming up.

The paper is high quality and bleed resistant, which works well with fountain pens.

It has a soft cardboard cover and is very compact in size, making it an easy planner to carry around with you.

Pros
- No dates – You can purchase this planner whenever you want, as you can fill in the dates as you wish.
- Price – This planner is a very affordable option.
- Size – It measures 4.3 by 8.3 inches.
Cons
- Not as attractive as others on this list – The planner only comes with a cardstock cover.
Productivity Planner

This productivity planner by Intelligent Change encourages you to make the most out of each day by prioritizing your most important tasks and then reflecting on your results to analyze your workflow.

You’ll also get to read an important daily quote to inspire you daily. Plus, you’ll have space to jot down any weekly tasks, events, or commitments.

This planner follows a structured format to help you organize your time accordingly.

Pros
- Structure – This planner helps you organize your tasks in order of importance.
- Daily quote – Wake up to some lovely words of inspiration each day.
- Recyclable material – FSC-certified paper.
Cons
- Price – Some may see it as a pricier option on this list.
Self Journal By BestSelf

If you struggle with consistency, this self-journal may be the one for you.

This journal will help you achieve your goals using the SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) method.

It contains monthly views, weekly and daily planning, and undated pages for extra notes. It also has a section of bullet journal pages, where you can fill it with extra notes, ideas, scribbles, stickers, you name it!

An added bonus is that this company donates one meal to Feeding America for every purchase.

Pros
- Versatility – Contains elements of self-care and daily, monthly, and weekly planning.
- Choice of color – The product is available in 4 colors.
- Created based on research – This planner is backed by success psychology and science.
Cons
- A lot of self-evaluation – This journal may be too much for those who want to plan.
Daily Goal Setter Mal Paper

This planner will help you achieve more throughout your days by helping you become consistent. In addition, it guides you to complete lists that will help you reach your goals.

It also utilizes many mindfulness techniques by having you write down daily affirmations.

There’s also no lack of variety with this product, as within its 274 pages, you’ll find sections on daily, weekly, and monthly planning, goal setting, and gratitude, as well as lined, dotted, and un-dated pages.

This a great planner if you like to add doodles, stickers, and photos.

Pros
- Un-dated – You can purchase this planner at any time of the year.
- Variety – Values self-care, goal setting, and daily and monthly planning.
- Kind to the environment – A tree is planted with every order.
Cons
- Space – The weekly section does not have as much space as one may like.
The 6-Minute Success Journal

This journal encourages you to plan your day and prioritize your tasks by prioritizing self-care.

It encourages you to be productive and emphasizes mindfulness and gratitude.

You also enjoy a spirit-lifting quote on each page – the perfect way to start each day.

There’s also a ‘Thoughts, Ideas, & Wins of the Day’ section for your end-of-the-day routine.

This planner has been created based on scientific research and practice-based evidence.

Pros
- Versatile – Includes self-care elements as well as planning.
- Scientifically proven – Utilizes the proven 6 – minute method.
- Several colors available – You can choose five colors with this product.
Cons
- Not ideal for just planning – There are several self-care elements, so if you are looking for a good planner, this may not be your best option.
Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal

If you prefer an undated planner, why not try a bullet journal?

The creator of this framework, Ryder Carroll, worked closely with the company Leuchtturm1917 to create this notebook.

This journal contains tips on following the bullet journal method to help you stay organized.

If you’re a creative entrepreneur who enjoys doodling, scrapbooking, and creating nice little artifacts, then this option may be the one for you.

Pros
- Customizable – Completely un-dated for you to customize as you wish.
- No time restriction – No dates means you can purchase this whenever you wish.
- Comfortable – This journal fits comfortably in all kinds of bags
Cons
- Bullet journal method – This planner is solely for the bullet journal method, which may seem confusing.
Buyer’s Guide

There are many things to consider when looking for the right planner for you, as various choices are available.

This buyer’s guide will outline some things you need to consider before putting your money down on a planner.

Size And Comfort

One of the most important things you need to consider when selecting a planner is size and comfort. Would you like a tiny planner that can be whipped out of any bag in a second? Or would you prefer something bigger that you keep on your desk?

You’ll also need to look at your binding preference. Would you like a three-ring binder that allows you to add your own pages, or would you prefer a spiral-bound binder?

If you’re unsure, it may be worth heading to a store that sells planners to get a feel of what works best for you.

Layouts

Determining what layout suits you best is also very important. You’re likely to have a choice between vertical and horizontal layouts.

Horizontal layouts allow more room for writing detailed notes, whereas horizontal layouts tend to have three sections. These are useful if you want to split your day between morning, afternoon, and evening.

Knowing how you prefer to structure your planner is crucial regarding layouts. Would you like to see your different tasks hour by hour, or do you prefer a quick weekly or monthly view?

Dated, Undated, Lined, Or Bulleted

Some people prefer planners that include dates and months printed on each page. However, if you choose an undated planner, you can pick it up any time of the year.

Whether you would like lined or bulleted paper is also a consideration. Lined paper is best for those who enjoy writing lists and like writing notes.

With bullet journals, the dotted pages allow you to draw and doodle. You may also be well-versed in the bullet journal method, a method coined by Ryder Carroll that allows you to structure your tasks as you see fit.

Identify Your Needs

Do you need a book to structure your to-do lists? Or, would you rather have a journal that allows you to reflect on your goals, guiding you on how to reach them?

As you can tell from this post, many planners value self-care and include elements of goal-setting and affirmations.

Several of these options also include areas to track daily habits such as water intake, exercise, mood, etc.

Knowing what you’d like to experience from your planner will help you choose the right one.

If you’d like guidance on consistency and tracking habits, then a planner with some self-care elements would benefit you.

However, if you want a planner that allows you to structure your days, weeks, and months, something simpler that doesn’t contain any extra elements would suit you best.

Digital vs Physical

While some enjoy physically writing down lists and crossing them out, others prefer the digital side. There are pros and cons to both.

Physical planners involve more money than digital ones, but some prefer writing things down as they find it soothing.

However, digital planners are convenient and easy to access, no matter your device or location. They are also great for giving you reminders of tasks and events you would otherwise fail to remember.

They can also be shared with others if you would like to engage in some team planning on a vacation, for example.

Using a digital planner is also much cheaper as it mostly involves downloading an app or a PDF file.

Whatever kind of planner is best for you is one that suits your individual needs. I created some printable 90-day goal-setting worksheets to help you get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Everyone Need A Planner?

Not everyone needs a planner, as some people are perfectly okay with keeping track of their tasks without having them in a physical or digital form.

However, it is normal for important dates and tasks to slip your mind if you have a busy schedule.

Therefore, having a planner, be it digital or physical, is a good idea as it is something you can refer to when making plans.

They are also great for keeping track of to-do lists throughout the day. These can be used for work or personal tasks.

Are Planners Good For Mental Health?

Planners are very useful in helping with mental health. They allow people to plan their day.

Physically writing also makes some people feel more engaged with what they are writing, which helps people with their mental health.

Aside from all this, the planners that contain wellness trackers, such as exercise, mood, water intake, and food, are useful for reducing any feelings of stress and anxiety. These trackers work as a form of self-observation which reduces stress levels.

Final Thoughts

Setting goals is essential, whether in your personal or professional life.

Investing in a good planner can help you organize your life in ways that may surprise you. Check out the review of the Self Planner in the video link below.

There are planners to suit the needs of everyone, whether it’s a physical book to write down all of your to-do lists or a journal that will help you keep track of your mood, help you set goals, and guide you through self-care.

So, pick from one of the wonderful planners on this list and get organized.
February 16, 2023
Get More Done: 5 Ways to Organize Your Day for Success

Do you ever wish you could do more to organize your day? It’s a thought I used to have all the time.

We all know how it feels to wake up worried about the unfinished tasks from the day before. I can’t tell you how many times I started the day haunted by the email I didn’t send or the project I didn’t finish.

To top it off, I tried to juggle it all in my head and convinced myself that I would remember everything I needed to do. In the beginning, I did okay with keeping everything straight and on track.

But eventually, I became overwhelmed. I knew there had to be a better way to organize my day.

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

Over time, I learned that the planning process is crucial. Planning my day is like building a house. It provides the framework, stability, and order for my daily activities to be organized.

Now, do I believe that everything will always go according to plan? No.

But, by planning my day, I can adapt more quickly when things change unexpectedly or without warning.

This post will share five ways to organize your day for success. I hope you’ll find staying focused and getting things done easier by incorporating these tips into your routine. So let’s dive in!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost, if you purchase using the links.

#1 Start your day with a peaceful practice

I started my day many days by reaching for my smartphone to check my email. I’m talking first thing in the morning, like 3, 4, or 5 a.m. As I read through each email, it didn’t take long before I was sucked into other people’s requests and problems.

Before I knew it, I lost control of my day.

Reaching for a device can be tempting when you’re feeling stressed, but instead, consider starting a daily practice to help you calm down. For example, you could do 5-10 minutes of prayer or breathing exercises.

Instead of grabbing my phone immediately, I learned to use my time reading the Bible and writing in my Write the Word journal.

#2 Organize your day by identifying your priorities

Take a few minutes at the start of each day to identify what you want to accomplish for the day. In the book, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, I discovered that the word priority entered the English language in the 1400s.

The word was singular and meant the very first of prior things. By the time we reached the 1900s, the word was pluralized, which is how we have priorities. Suddenly, there was an idea that we could have multiple first things.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you have to do each day, use your planner to write down one priority you want to accomplish.

Yes, I said, one. After you get your one priority completed, cross it off your list.

For the most part, I like to write down the 3 to 5 most important things I need to do for the day. But there are days when I permit myself to focus on one priority. Once I complete my most important priority for the day, I can move on to other things remembering that not everything has the same weight of urgency or importance.

#3 Use timeboxing to complete tasks

Timeboxing is a simple technique that sets aside a block of time for specific tasks. During the specified time, you only work on the designated task. If you don’t finish what you set out to do in your allocated time block, that’s fine.

Don’t feel guilty. Instead, note what you need to complete the task, then move on to your next task. Timebox times can be any amount of time you need to complete the tasks – five minutes, one hour, or a month. The good thing about timeboxing is that you have a strict start and end time for each task.

#4 Develop a habit of task batching

Task batching is a strategy that groups similar activities to improve focus and productivity. By breaking projects into specific steps, you can better prioritize your day while reducing time spent switching perspectives or reassigning tasks when someone else needs them finished quicker than expected.

#5 Plan for tomorrow

I recommend that you make a plan for tomorrow. Before I go to bed, I like to write down three to five large tasks that need to be done the next day. I use a productivity notebook, but you can use sticky notes or a planner.

You can stay focused on the important things when you plan your day. It’s easy to get distracted by other tasks when your day is already busy. Creating an actionable daily schedule with specific blocks for what needs doing makes it much easier to stop yourself from feeling overwhelmed and ensure you can get more done.

February 24, 2022
How to Prepare for the Week Ahead in 5 Easy Steps

If your life is anything like mine, you have a lot going on. Every week is full of work assignments, family commitments, goals, and dreams. I remember ending some weeks on top of the world, and other weeks, I felt like I didn’t accomplish much.

Photo from Shutterstock

And sometimes, I ended my week feeling overwhelmed. Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Planning your week is a great way to stay on top of everything and avoid last-minute disasters. This post outlines what works for me in five easy steps to prepare for the week ahead. As you read through, I encourage you to apply the steps that work for you and eliminate anything that doesn’t.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Step #1 — List

One of the best ways to prepare for a busy week is by setting aside time on the weekend — either Saturday or Sunday — to list all of your meetings, appointments, tasks, and commitments for the upcoming week. Also, include any goals or projects that need your attention. Don’t worry about how many items you list, as some of the things you want to work on may flow into the following week. By getting everything out of your head, you can see what’s ahead of you. With a plan in place for the whole week, I wake up on Monday feeling more organized and ready to take on the week.

Click here to read the blog post on how to add calm and focus to your life.

Step #2 — Categorize

Once I list all my thoughts and tasks, I group everything into different categories. I encourage you to create categories that work for you. The categories I use for my system are:

Business, faith, medical, self-care, home-life, connections, and fun.

As you categorize your tasks, you can use one or more of the following tools:

A whiteboard or flip-chart paper posted on a wall

A journal or PowerSheets planner

An electronic document

Use the display that works best for you and keep it where you can see it every day. Then, as you go through your week, mark off everything you complete. If you cannot complete a task, move it to the next day or the following week.

Step #3 — Organize

To help organize your tasks, you can use lots of systems. I like the Eisenhower Matrix, which allows you to decide which tasks are most important by categorizing them into four boxes. It’s a simple decision-making tool that can help clear up your schedule so it will be more organized and efficient.

Stephen Covey popularized the Urgent-Important Matrix in his best-selling book The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People. This habit is named after Dwight D Eisenhower, who organized his obligations so that only matters of importance and urgency came across his desk.

But there is a clear distinction between important and urgent tasks.

Urgent tasks are the ones that demand your attention. A good example is an email from someone who needs a report by the end of the day.

Important tasks are the backbone of all other work. With important tasks, you have more time than you do with urgent tasks. For important tasks, apply a deadline and work on them until they are complete. Then, monitor your progress to ensure that the tasks don’t become urgent due to procrastination or missed deadlines.

Step #4 — Schedule

When planning your schedule, make sure to balance your week by choosing the important and urgent tasks from each category. If some tasks seem more pressing than others, use those as priorities for planning out what needs to be done first so they don’t fall through the cracks.

Step #5 — Reflect

Well done! You’ve made it to the end of another week. Take some time for yourself and do a weekly reflection. What are your thoughts on how things went this time around? Do any tasks need moving to next week? Make a note of anything that didn’t go well to make changes.

Photo from Adobe Stock

February 8, 2022
Relaxed Productivity: How to Add Calm and Focus to Your Side Gig
Starting a new side gig is exciting. You wake up every day eager and focused on getting your product or service into the hands of new customers. But as time moves on, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you have to do. Then, before you know it, you feel frazzled as you start to lose focus.

But what if I told you there are ways to make your side gig less stressful and more productive? I will share some tips for relaxing while you work in this post. By incorporating these techniques into your routine, you’ll find it easier to stay focused and get things done. So let’s dive in!

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Schedule regular brain dumps

When I try to hold all of my thoughts, ideas, and tasks inside my mind, I start to feel overwhelmed. So to add calm to my day, I like to do brain dumps. Brain dumping is a technique that helps you clear your mind and organize thoughts. It makes it easier to focus on things that need to be done instead of just letting everything bounce around in your head without any organization or structure. I use a brain dump list to get everything out of my head and organize it based on what’s important. Depending on the project, I use different notebooks, flipchart paper, PowerSheets, or Workflowy. For your brain dump sessions, find what works for you.

Identify your priorities weekly

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey popularized a theory from President Eisenhower called “The Decision Matrix.” This matrix consists of four boxes that describe different types or levels of importance and urgency. The quadrants are — 1) Urgent/Important; 2) Not urgent but important; 3) Urgent/Not Important; and 4) Not Urgent and Not Important. These labels can help solopreneurs, and creative entrepreneurs identify what they should think about, not waste unnecessary thought or energy.

When I am overwhelmed, I start prioritizing my to-do list with the method below:
- Urgent & Important = tasks I need to do this week, like client assignments or get a post ready for next week.
- Urgent & Not Important = things I can delegate, such as trips to the office supply store.
- Not Urgent but Important = these are important things, but they do not need to be done now. Some examples include buying a gift or having lunch to catch up with a friend.
- Not Urgent & Not Important = these are things that can be deleted or scheduled for later.
Once I understand what’s on my to-do list, I then decide what are the three most important tasks I need to work on each day. Since I get up early every day, I like to knock out my three most important tasks first. Now, if you work all night, say from 11 p.m. until 7 a.m., you may not be able to tackle your three most important tasks until the afternoon or whenever you wake up. The point is that you divide and conquer. Prioritize your to-do list by identifying the top three tasks you need to accomplish each day based on urgency and importance. Here are a few planning worksheets to get you started.

Set boundaries between your day job and your side gig

Stress can creep in if you have a full-time job and a side gig. As much as possible, avoid letting your full-time job collide with your side gig. For example, don’t work on tasks for your side gig when you’re scheduled to work your 9-to-5 job. Doing so will only add stress to your day. Instead, schedule time on your calendar where you can work on your business without feeling guilty about neglecting your day job.

Make time to see the positive in each day

Waking up and going to bed with what seems like tons of work can feel overwhelming. However, studies show that if we make an effort to see the positive each day, we can develop an optimistic outlook. One of the things I like to do to stay positive is write in my gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is a great way to reflect on people you appreciate or ways your day was unique and special. I like to reflect on the things I’m grateful for and any accomplishments made throughout the day.

Take a brain break from your side gig

Managing a side gig takes a lot of time and energy. In addition to running a business, you might be in a season of your life that’s very busy – maybe you have a new baby, or perhaps you’re caring for a family member – be kind to yourself. Pick one day per week to take a break from your day job and your side gig. Give your brain a chance to rest and recharge each week. Go to a movie, read a book, or try a new spin class at the gym. Then, when you return to your side gig, you will feel refreshed.
January 27, 2022
10 Habits You Need to Be a Super Productive Writer

Photo from Adobe Stock

Updated January 2022

Since starting my blog in 2018, I’ve adjusted my writing habits. Initially, my goal was to post articles consistently. But as my writing business started to grow, I had to change my writing habits again. So, in addition to being consistent in my writing, I worked on developing habits that helped me become a productive writer. Here are ten writing habits I use.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

1. Maintain a schedule

As a solopreneur, it always seems like I have a million things going on. In addition to managing my client’s work, I have to keep up with family events, doctor appointments, the house, and a blog. The only way I get through it all, including my writing, is to create a schedule. So I learned to develop a strict plan that’s flexible enough to move things around when necessary. Here’s more information on how to fit writing into your life.

How to Bend Time to Fit Writing into Your Busy Life

2. Keep track of time

One of the things I learned long before becoming a writer is that we all have the same 24 hours in a day. However, from my days of working in a corporate environment, I know that every day can, and probably will, be different. With this in mind, I knew there would be days when I wouldn’t be able to write because my son might be sick, or a friend would need my help, or my husband might want to drive to the beach for the day. So I learned to focus on the most important things on those days, and I plan my writing assignments accordingly.

3. Divide writing and non-writing tasks

As part of my daily writing schedule, I divide my writing tasks into writing and non-writing. My writing tasks include client assignments and writing blog posts, articles, and books. My non-writing tasks are those things I need to complete to support my writing tasks. Like the research, I need to do before I start writing.

During my writing sessions, I focus on one task at a time. I resist the temptation to multitask. I avoid working on writing and non-writing tasks simultaneously, like researching while writing my book.

4. Develop a writing routine with process goals

Once I started adding writing projects to my schedule, I learned to add process goals to my writing routine. Process goals are the specific physical or mental steps I need to complete my writing projects. For example, when writing my second book, Time to Reset, I mapped out the steps and processes I needed to take to finish the book. Likewise, when I start writing a book, I list every necessary step to complete the book. In addition, my writing routine is flexible and allows for non-writing days. Here’s more information on writing routines.

How to Reach Your Goals with a Powerful Writing Routine

5. Treat writing like a business

In my early blogging days, I wasn’t worried about making money. But once I got the hang of blogging, I started to treat it like a business. In addition to having a self-hosting service for my website, I dedicate time to plan out my posts, schedule them, and review my progress by using a blog editorial calendar.

6. Manage distractions

Productive writers protect their writing time by managing distractions. Since I work from home, I like to schedule my book writing time early in the morning. Throughout the day, I work on client assignments and attend meetings. To avoid interruptions like email and social media, I use content blocking apps like Rescue Time to eliminate alerts and pop-up messages while I write. In addition, I close all social media accounts and websites. If my husband and son are home, I let them know I’m writing and when I will be available.

7. Be prepared to write anywhere

Besides managing distractions, I learned how to transition to a creative mindset to write anywhere. Like a basketball player can compete in gyms worldwide, a productive writer learns to adapt to different environments such as coffee shops, cafes’ and commuter trains. But mental endurance takes time. Dean Hebert, M. Ed., a certified mental-game coach and a former marathoner, adds, “Mental skills, like physical strength, develop over time and with consistency.”

With this in mind, I learned to write in different locations other than my usual writing space at home. As a result, I have a backpack that includes everything I need to write anywhere – my laptop, notebook, pens, portable battery charger, Wi-Fi hotspot, hand sanitizer, and my favorite water bottle.

8. Use writing sprints

Whether I’m trying to increase my word count (see also ‘How to Write More: 10 Quick Ways to Boost Your Word Count‘) or get a piece of content finished, I use writing sprints. Writing sprints help me to write within a pre-defined length of time. I set a timer for 30, 45, or 60 minutes and write nonstop until the alarm rings. I don’t answer the phone, surf the web, answer email, or edit during a writing sprint. I write. I give myself 15-minute breaks, and I repeat as often as necessary until I accomplish my writing goal for the day.

9. Focus on the positive

I know what it feels like to question myself and wonder if writing is any good. So, to deal with potential negative thoughts, I write positive affirmations to myself as part of my journal writing practice. First, I jot down a positive statement about myself as a writer and why my work is important. Then, I post the message to see it during my writing session and throughout the day.

In addition, I like to listen to positive messages throughout each day. Inspirational podcasts, sermons, and other blog sites help me. Sometimes I write down inspiring remarks to my journal (see also our article on junk journals) or vision board.

10. Celebrate small wins

It’s important to celebrate small wins as a writer. For example, I like to celebrate whether I publish a blog post or finish writing a chapter in my book. Each win helps me keep moving forward to what else I can accomplish.

January 3, 2022
Work Smarter, Not Harder: 5 Ways to Be More Efficient

How many times have you heard the phrase, “work smarter, not harder?” I’m guessing you’ve heard this slogan dozens of times. But sometimes, working smarter seems easier said than done.

As a creative entrepreneur, I’m sure you have a lot you need to get done. So it’s easy to think you have to get it all done at once. When I first started my business, I was so excited to see my dream come to life. I found myself seeing every task as urgent. It wasn’t long before I had to return to a few of the efficiency strategies I used in my corporate life.

Fast forward to today, I have more client assignments, more tasks, and less time. Working smarter, not harder, is more critical now than ever if you’re anything like me. If you need a few tips on working smarter, not harder, here are five ways to be more efficient.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you purchase using the links.

Don’t start before you plan

First things first – if I don’t make time to plan, I waste loads of time. I know a lot of people who see planning as unnecessary, especially to the creative mind who wants to flow freely. But the secret to getting things done involves planning. So if you want to get more done, try planning.

Of course, it might seem impossible to plan when creativity will strike. Don’t wait for creativity to strike. Schedule time on your calendar for writing, researching, filming, and all the other components of the content creation process. Planning will keep you on track and ensure that you meet your goal.

Work in smaller bits

The idea of tackling a big project can be overwhelming. When I talk to people about writing a book, some of them admit that the idea of writing a book from beginning to end seems complicated. The best way to get to the end of big projects is by breaking them up into smaller bits.

By breaking up my larger project into smaller bits, I can focus on one part at a time. In addition, this approach keeps me motivated to get each step done. As I check off each smaller task, I gain momentum and feel inspired to get the entire project done.

Master the art of delegation

Let’s not argue on this one. You have a lot of work to do. However, some people have the skills you need to tackle some of the tasks on your desk. For example, if you are a writer, you could consider hiring someone on Fiverr to tackle the research phase of your project. You could also hire a virtual assistant to vet clients for you before you accept projects. By leveraging the time and talent of others, you could significantly increase your productivity.

Fight the itch to multitask

Too many creatives work like circus jugglers. We create videos, write content, have a full-time job, and tackle multiple client projects simultaneously. Rather than working on one thing at a time, we try to multitask. An article by NPR exposes the myth of multitasking. We often think we are getting a lot done because we are so busy doing many things. Unfortunately, this affects efficiency. Instead, focus on one task at a time.

Using a timer to complete tasks

It’s easy to get carried away with the tasks we enjoy. But, ironically, it is also easy to spend lots of time on tasks that we don’t want. An effective way to maintain efficiency is to set a timer for tasks. For example, suppose you have scheduled one hour in the morning to respond to your community or four hours for blog writing. Set a timer on your phone that will alert you when the time is up. This approach will help to ensure that you do not spend too much time or too little time on tasks.

Becoming more efficient doesn’t happen overnight. Therefore, make sure you extend grace to yourself when you have not as productive days as you’d like. Keep working, keep creating, and keep inspiring those who are watching your story unfold.

November 18, 2021