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Designing Your Dream Week for Online Business Clarity

Designing Your Dream Week for Online Business Clarity

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Designing Your Dream Week for Online Business Clarity

Do you feel like your business is going in the direction you envisioned it would? If not, why? What are you doing differently? Take a step back and figure out what is off. It may sound crazy, but creating a vision for your dream week can lead to clarity in your online business. 

Goal Setting for Clarity

Reaching your goals can be a struggle without clarity. Clarity in your online business provides motivation and excitement for the road ahead. You see, I’ve gone down many roads that I thought I “should” go down, going after goals that I thought would bring me joy and success. In the end, they were the dreams and visions of someone else, not my own. 

And now, your thinking how do you figure it out?

Journal On How You Feel At The End Of Each Day

So much can be said about journaling. I think that’s why so many business owners talk about it. It’s not any different for me. When I started my business, I journaled every morning. It’s really what led me to start my business.

As my business and workload grew, journaling took a backseat to client work and the day-to-day running of my business. 

I've tried everything when it comes to becoming a consistent journaler. Do you want to know what is the best way to journal? 

Well, that’s for you to decide. I had to figure it out myself, and you must do the same. It boils down to this: There is no right or wrong. 

You must, I repeat, you must journal how you want! If you attempt to journal how other journals, it’s like sticking a square peg in a round hole, just saying it won’t work. If you start out strong and drop off, do it differently. If your journaling includes doodle, let it be. The need for multiple pen colors, let it be, you’ll only journal electronically, you do you. 

The best way to journal is the way YOU will journal.

What is your dream week as a business owner?

I know what you’re thinking: how can creating a dream week lead to clarity in your online business? It’s funny how many entrepreneurs struggle to find their niche. Me included.

We can get all up in our heads about the right or wrong way to do something when there is no right or wrong. It is about picking a nice, big path and just starting. The more you do you’ll begin to watch your path narrow as you go.

It is about having confidence in yourself, about believing that no matter the path you choose, it will be the right path for you.

The most common reason I hear mom entrepreneurs start a business is the same reason I did: to have freedom and flexibility for their families.

If you spend your time trying to keep a ridge schedule, will that feel like freedom and flexibility to you?

You see, this is why creating your dream week can lead to clarity in your online business. You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince. 🙂

Stay with me now. If you started your business for freedom and flexibility, what you offer to make money in your business must align with that value. If it does not, you’ll not make it. You’ll constantly be searching for something else. That something that will make you feel in alignment with your vision and why.

In Your Perfect World

– What does your dream week look like
– Are you offering the paid service that brings you joy
– Are you working in the right niche
– Do you need to narrow your focus
– Does this feel true to you
– Remember, there is no right or wrong. You can pivot at any time

How does that work in your current business

After you lay out your dream week, how does this work in your current business? Are you close to your dream week? If not, what needs to shift to become more aligned with your business vision?

In Your Perfect Week

What will your journal say about your perfect week? Maybe it will go something like this? 

Imagine waking up each morning feeling energized and excited about the day ahead. You start your day by journaling, allowing your thoughts and ideas to flow freely onto the page. As you sip your morning coffee, you reflect on your goals and the vision you have for your online business.

In your dream week, you're working on projects that light you up. You're offering paid services that align with your passions and bring you immense joy. You've found your niche, and it feels like a perfect fit. Your focus is laser-sharp, and you're making a meaningful impact in the lives of your clients.

You feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment as you go about your day. You're not just going through the motions but living your truth. Every decision you make, and every action you take feels authentic and true to who you are.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to create your dream week. You have the power to pivot and make changes at any time. Trust your instincts and follow your heart. When you're in alignment with your values and vision, success will naturally follow.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Designing Your Dream Week for Online Business Clarity

Creating Your Dream Week

To create your dream week, start by asking yourself some key questions:

What activities bring you the most joy and fulfillment?
How much time do you want to dedicate to client work, marketing, and personal development?
What does your ideal work environment look like?
How can you structure your day to maximize productivity while prioritizing self-care?
Once you have a clear picture of your dream week, it's time to take action. Break down your vision into smaller, manageable steps. Set realistic goals and create a plan to achieve them. Surround yourself with supportive individuals who believe in your vision and can offer guidance and encouragement.

Remember, creating your dream week is an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve, so will your vision. Embrace the journey and be open to new opportunities and experiences.

 

Time To Wrap This Up

Creating a dream week for your online business is a powerful exercise in clarity and alignment. By envisioning your ideal week and taking steps to make it a reality, you'll find greater joy, purpose, and success in your entrepreneurial journey.

If you're feeling stuck or unsure about the direction of your online business, I invite you to work with me.  I love helping entrepreneurs, just like you gain clarity, overcome your obstacles and create a business that truly lights you up.

Here is a link to a simple application, to take the steps towards working towards your dream business friends. Remember you and you alone how'd the power to create a business in life that aligns with your deepest values and desires. Trust the process stay true to you and watch your dreams unfold.

Thank you so much for reading I appreciate you and I hope you have a wonderful week.

Get More Done With Time Blocking

Get More Done With Time Blocking

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Get More Done With Time Blocking

Now, I know what you're thinking. Will time blocking help me get more done? Yes, it will!

As online entrepreneurs, you're trying to conquer so many things, and instead of feeling accomplished, you feel unproductive, stuck, and frustrated. At the end of most days, it seems as if the day ran away with a lack of focus, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

Are you tired of feeling this way and ready to be clear about your day and what needs to be done to move your business forward?

First, jumping around from project to project isn't the secret sauce to success. It all boils down to getting laser-focused and completing essential tasks.

You must be wondering how this happens. 

The solution is simple: it's with time blocking your day. Time blocking breaks your day into an achievable structure. What would it feel like to look back at your day and feel productive and efficient? You'd feel like you won the day, just saying.

No worries, friend, if you're not a planner. It's a life skill you can improve, I pinky swear. I'm guessing you're ready to let go of running your business like a disorganized, headless chicken.

Here’s how you’ll time block:

Power Hours

When are you in your power hours? Do you know the time of day when your productivity superpower comes out? You're about to find out this is different for everyone.

If you're not sure, start paying attention and simply jot down the time of day that you easily and effortlessly completed your work. This would indicate that you're in the power hours of productivity.

Let's make this your first official time block. During this time, use it for a creative project or a project you've been procrastinating on. For me, this is not the first hour of my day. I need a slow start in the first hour of my day. Otherwise, I'll find myself sitting and staring at my computer screen.

Here is an excellent post about Eating Frogs! https://misstask.com/eat-your-frogs/

What are Things to Time Block? 

Let me break it down for you; you can time block hours or choose to have theme days.

But what does that mean? It's simple. You may want to select the days and times for your coaching calls and meetings with your team. You can also designate content creation days.

Perhaps you like to have variety in your day, so you sprinkle in a little bit of everything with themed time blocks. With theme days, you'd pick one primary day for all your meetings and coaching and a secondary day for any overflow meetings or coaching sessions.

In a similar fashion, if you conduct discovery calls in your online business, it would be nice to have a specific day for these calls. Could they possibly be on your overflow meeting day?

Now, this is important: your most productive day of the week should be for creative work only. Here's what I mean: no meetings or anything else that will drain your energy. I love the trend that corporate America is following with designated no-meeting days.

Let me clarify: You may want to divide your days into halves. The trick is to work with your personal power hours. If you find that you're very productive in the afternoons, you could schedule meetings in the mornings and plan your creative work in the afternoons.

During your creative block, you will record your podcast, write your blog, and create your course outline. Here's the big secret: time blocking goes hand in hand with batch creation. When you batch similar work, it will get you into the flow and keep you in the state of flow versus bouncing from one thing to another without completing it from start to finish.

This can be done in many different ways; finding when you feel like a productivity rock star is essential. When I ask a new client about time blocking or batch work, they usually don't do it very well.

Start Small 

You must wonder how to start when this whole time blocking and batching is new to you. 

Start small.

The answer? Begin with 45 minutes of dedicated time scheduled 2-3 times a week and see how it goes. What is something you're getting behind on that you find you're doing at the last minute EVERY SINGLE WEEK?

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Get More Done With Time Blocking

Do A Time Audit to Figure Out Your Time Blocks

Another great way to figure out time blocking is to do a time audit for one week. I understand even the thought of time tracking feels like a burden; I say this with love, suck it up, buttercup, it's only for a week.

Most people don't realize how much time they spend on tasks or how easily they are distracted and waste time. 

Here's how it works: time tracking can be done on paper by jotting down the time along with what you're working on or by using time tracking software to track everything. 

If you'd like to try tracking software, I suggest Toggl Track, a great tool offering a free task-tracking plan. https://toggl.com/track/

 

My Own Example From the Past 

When client work began to fill my days, the creative work for my business went out the window. I was an inconsistent content creator.

Blah, all that time I'd spent building up an audience—well, y'all, that doesn't stay without being nurtured. Unfortunately, this was a business lesson I had to learn for myself.

Then it finally dawned on me that my power hours are in the morning, and my brain is done by 2 or 3 p.m. every day. Now, the first two hours of my workday are dedicated to creating content or the top priorities for my business—also known as the things I'll procrastinate on until the last minute.

Fortunately, there's a simple solution: I work in sprints of time; I set the timer for 50 minutes and pour out all the words. I take a quick break and complete another sprint. And during that time, some days I'll have it all done, others the struggle is real, and I start over a bazillion times.

When planning my day, I know client work does not begin until 9 am. Blocking this time and setting the boundary have also taught me not to say yes to all the things and projects. 

With my people-pleasing, helpful personality, I must not overbook myself. Which was also another business lesson I had to learn for myself. If this is you, be sure to read “Yes to Everything” mindset. https://misstask.com/mindful-yes/

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

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My Time Blocks are Simple 

You must be wondering how I schedule my day. I have a morning routine that was significantly simplified. 

I don't know about you, but when I started my business, I heard people talk about 2-3 hour morning routines. What I found was that an extensive morning routine simply stressed me out. 

For quite a while now, the first hours have been spent with Bible reading, meditation, journaling, and the daily Wordle, and then I go into the office for my priority work block.

Once I'm at my desk, every weekday is content-focused while I enjoy several cups of coffee. A bulk of my day is reserved for my done-for-you content repurposing clients, and coaching clients are in the afternoons or every other Friday.

Stay with me now; 98% of the time, the block is consistently scheduled at the same time every day. Keeping the schedule consistent has the added bonus of reducing the decisions I must make about what I'm working on.

Flexible Friday! This day is a wildcard for me. I may have coaching calls, podcast interviews, or a travel day. Fridays are the days that I enjoy the freedom that comes with entrepreneurship.

This is a typical Monday – Thursday Schedule
5:30-6:30: Morning Routine
6:30-8: Power Block: Top Priorities for the day
8-9: Eat, Get Ready, Walk With The Dogs 
9-10: Client Block 
10-11: Client Block
11-12: Client Block
12-1: Client Block
1-2: Client Block
2-3: Client Block
3-4:30: Walk With The Dogs, Strength Training
4:30-5:30: Wrap Up Work Day, Look Ahead to Tomorrow and Finish Anything Undone

Will this schedule stay the same for years to come? Nope, but it is what works right now in this season of my life.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Get More Done With Time Blocking

It Is Time To Wrap This Up!

If you're ready to stop feeling overwhelmed and start making tangible progress in your business, now is the time to take action. With the power of time blocking and focused productivity strategies, you can transform your daily routine and achieve more than you ever thought possible. Don't let another day slip by feeling unproductive and frustrated.

By identifying your power hours, creating a structured schedule, and focusing on essential tasks, you can break free from the overwhelming cycle of unproductivity and take control of your business. Remember, it's okay to start small and make adjustments as you go. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and be patient with yourself as you develop these new habits. With consistency and dedication, you'll soon find yourself accomplishing more than you ever thought possible, all while enjoying the freedom and satisfaction that comes with a thriving online business. Once you take that first step with time blocking, you will be amazed at how much more productive you become.

5 Tips for Dealing With Creative Burnout and Staying Motivated

5 Tips for Dealing With Creative Burnout and Staying Motivated

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | 5 Tips for Dealing With Creative Burnout and Staying Motivated

It is all too common for online entrepreneurs to suffer from creative burnout. In my experience, this was another reason for my inconsistency with long-form content. Motivating yourself can be difficult when you lack inspiration. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent burnout when it comes to your creative output.

What are the signs of creative burnout? Here are 5 tips for dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated during periods of low energy and lackluster creativity.

Recognize the Signs of Creative Burnout

You likely have a pretty good idea of what creative burnout feels like for you. Here are a few common signs to watch out for:

* Overwhelming exhaustion

* Lack of motivation

* Difficulty focusing

* Procrastination and missed deadlines

* Irritability and reduced creativity

* Low energy

If these symptoms sound familiar, it's time to take a step back and evaluate your workload and stress management strategies. Look at it through the lens of the four D's: Do, Defer, Delegate, Delete. While tracking your time may sound daunting, it is necessary to get a scope on where you're spending your time.

Consider if there are any tasks that you could delegate or outsource. Once I let go of the fear of having to support another person with my business, outsourcing to a Content VA increased my revenue. 

For more information on what to prepare before hiring a content assistant, refer to my earlier post: What to Prepare Before Hiring a Content Assistant

 

1. Taking Breaks and Recharging:

It's funny how when our to-do list is endless, taking a break doesn't sound like the thing to do. But here's the thing: regular breaks throughout the day are essential for maintaining your energy levels and preventing burnout.

You may not love the Pomodoro Method; however, it is helpful to remind yourself to take a break. One thing that I've discovered for myself is that the 25-minute sprint is a little short for me. The 25-minute mark is when I'm just hitting my groove.

If you've tried this method in the past and it hasn't worked for you, play with different timings.

Take a break each day to reenergize and reconnect with what matters most. You'll feel rejuvenated when you take a break from work to refresh and renew yourself with activities such as a quick walk, loading the dishwasher, or listening to music during a ten-minute clean. Try a guided meditation if you're feeling lazy and need a complete recharge. When I'm feeling like the life has been sucked out of me, I'll grab my earbuds and hit the sofa with a Yoga Nidra practice.

Make sure you are getting enough restful sleep as well; this will help ensure that you have the energy necessary to tackle any project enthusiastically.

 

2. Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Tasks:

What most people don't realize is how long tasks actually take. Because of this, they feel daunting. Begin to set boundaries around how much work you take on is important when it comes to avoiding burnout. If you struggle with saying no, be sure to read my post on Overcoming the “Yes to Everything” Mindset. 

​If you would like to listen to this episode on Overcoming the “Yes to Everything” Mindset, it is episode 66.

Focus on one task at a time. New studies have shown that we really aren't great at multitasking. If you focus on one task, it will take you less time. Are you terrible at prioritizing what to work on next?

Begin with the deadline and put the tasks in order in that manner. I'm not sure about you, but I have to lay out my plan for what I'll be working on during the week before it begins. Otherwise, I'll get a hair-brained idea, and before I know it, I'm six hours in and wondering what the heck I did.

Stop chasing shiny objects by planning ahead. Prioritize tasks according to importance so that the most pressing matters are tackled first.

Once you have prioritized tasks according to importance based on deadlines, you'll understand the urgent matters before moving on to less pressing ones.

Choose icons or emojis and add them to the front of the tasks that are priorities. While I know in a project management software you can add a priority, if you're easily distracted, having those call out right in the task works the best. The same thing can be done in your paper planner as well. Be sure that you create a little “key” until you have formed the habit. You'll love this system.

By implementing simple strategies for dealing with creative burnout, you can help yourself stay motivated and productive.

3. Staying Motivated During Difficult Times

Remaining consistent with content creation when you're not seeing the fruits of your labor can be tough. It's important to remember that you are not alone in this crazy online world of entrepreneurship.

Always remember to pray about it. There have been countless times in my life and business journey when I dropped to my knees out of frustration and worry. When you're not sure where to turn, turn to our Heavenly Father. When you're not sure what is the next right step, pray about it. All I can say is pray about it, pray about it, pray about it. If that upsets you, I'm not your person.

Let's also not forget about celebrating small wins and progress along the way. This is one of the best ways to stay on track and remain focused. Friends, episode 50 is about celebrating your small wins. Check it out here: Content Systems for Growth Project Management Software.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/content-systems-for-growth-project-management-software/id1680728514?i=1000639804619 

Read it here: https://misstask.com/woohoo-celebrate-your-small-wins/ 

Please, for the love, acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small they may seem. When you look for the small everyday win, it will help keep you motivated even when things get tough.

Also, drawing motivation from your business besties is a great way to stay on track. Find motivation by seeking out those who have achieved what you aspire to, and use their words as encouragement, as the proof that anything is possible with dedication.

Understand what motivates you and reward yourself periodically along the way! You may want to treat yourself to a nice meal or some chill-out time – it'll help keep you going when you feel like giving up.

Staying motivated during difficult times is a key factor in maintaining creative productivity. By managing stress levels and developing healthy habits, you can avoid burnout and remain productive even when the going gets tough.

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | 5 Tips for Dealing With Creative Burnout and Staying Motivated

 4. Managing Stress Levels to Avoid Burnout

Dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated is a real issue affecting many entrepreneurs, especially those working in the online business and health and wellness coaching fields. It's funny how we can encourage others to recognize and manage stress levels effectively, but it is something we quickly overlook for ourselves. The best way to avoid burnout is to establish healthy routines, say no to additional tasks, and take regular breaks.

Forming beneficial routines can be a great way of dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated. Establishing a balanced lifestyle that includes regular meal times away from your desk, sufficient sleep each night, and consistent exercise while avoiding overdoing it can help prevent burnout. Additionally, setting up a daily routine or time blocks with specific tasks at certain times can help keep your workflow organized and prevent overwhelm from taking over your life, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

5. Learning To Say No & Set Limits On Workload:

As an entrepreneur, it's easy to get caught up in trying to please everyone around you by saying yes too often; however, this could lead to overextending yourself, which could result in burnout down the line. While we hit on setting boundaries earlier, it's important enough to circle back on when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Learning when it's appropriate (and necessary) to say “no” is key here. Setting boundaries on how much work you take on each week is also important – make sure not only that your workload isn't too heavy but also that there's still room left for being present with your family and a little downtime.

Always prioritize looking after yourself above anything else. Make sure you're carving out time during the day just for yourself where you don't have any obligations or expectations – whether it be going for a walk outside or reading a book – whatever helps bring peace into your life should be done without hesitation. This will help ensure that both your mental health and productivity remain high even when faced with challenging tasks ahead, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Managing stress levels is essential for avoiding burnout and should be taken seriously. By understanding your triggers, developing coping mechanisms, and creating support networks, you can prevent future burnouts and stay on track when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

 

Building Resilience to Prevent Future Burnouts

The effects of burnout can be crippling to your business. You see, taking a year off from creating organic content in my business was a huge setback for me. But I understand now that things happen for you, not to you. This happened for me so that I could truly embrace creating content and fall in love with it.

With that said, if you even think you're on the road to burnout, take a step back and figure out what is the root cause. This is crucial when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

The key to avoiding future burnouts is to build self-resilience. Understanding your boundaries is essential for avoiding burnout.

It is important to identify what causes you stress and learn how to deal with it in order to avoid burnout in the future. For example, if deadlines cause you undue stress, consider breaking up tasks into smaller chunks or creating a timeline that allows for more flexibility when completing projects.

The ability to cope with stressful situations is also crucial to building resilience against burnout in the future. This could include taking breaks throughout the day or engaging in calming activities such as meditation or yoga. It is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes nutritious eating, adequate rest, and regular physical activity in order to feel energized and ready to tackle challenging duties without feeling overwhelmed. These strategies can be highly effective when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Managing stress and overcoming challenges may be easier with the support of a business bestie who gets the online business world. Having someone there who understands your struggles and is willing to listen can make all the difference when dealing with challenging situations. By building strong relationships with people with similar lifestyles, you can express yourself without fear of judgment and get emotional support during difficult times, which can help you avoid burnout in the future and stay on track when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated.

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: Your Content Creation Simplified Journey Starts Here!

It’s Time To Wrap This Up

Realizing the signs of exhaustion and taking measures to prevent it are essential when dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated. By implementing some simple tips such as identifying triggers, managing stress levels, building resilience, and setting achievable goals, you can ensure that your creativity remains intact in times of difficulty. Taking proactive measures will help you stay focused on achieving success while avoiding unnecessary fatigue or frustration.

Take control of your creative burnout and stay motivated by downloading your free copy of our organic content creation workflow. We all know that creating a workflow may be daunting but necessary to help you create quality, engaging content that keeps your audience engaged, ultimately helping you in dealing with creative burnout and staying motivated!

Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate you and I hope you make it a wonderful week.