How to Schedule Your Day for Creativity and Productivity (Guest Post by Gabi Garrett)

Design

Sep 11

Written By epartnersmarketing

Have you ever checked the clock and realized it’s 2 P.M.?

Of course, you have. But, when you are feeling unorganized and overwhelmed, a thought like:

“Oh look, it’s 2 P.M.”

Becomes:

“Oh my gosh, it’s 2 P.M. and I’m still in my sweats - I only have three more hours till everyone gets home. What have I been doing with my life?”

Entrepreneurial overwhelm is a real thing, especially when we’re cozied up in our home offices - marching to the beat of our own drum... without anyone at the water cooler to remind us to get lunch.

So, how do we combat this feeling of overwhelm and become productive again?

First, we have to deal with the resistance of telling ourselves what to do and when to do it.

Creating a routine was a unique challenge for me as part of the reason I left the office, or “Cube Land” as I lovingly call it, was to combat the monotony and schedule-y feeling of the 9-5. I had to accept the fact that: being organized leads to creative freedom.

After all, Who can create a blog post, video or inspiring song in a state of overwhelm and craziness?

None of us!

We have to obtain some level of structure to make an impact and keep our bills paid.

Here’s how I do it:

How to Schedule Your Day for Creativity and Productivity - by Gabi Garrett - E-Partners Marketing Inc.

On Thursday afternoon, I look at the week ahead.. I write out appointments in my Google Calendar into my physical planner and scan my email for what’s coming up.

I do all of this spread out on my office floor so I can get creative without the ding of my Inbox. I find Thursday’s are my favorite days to do this because Friday can be a “Let’s get this Sh*t done, kind of day.” And, planning your week on Monday is just a little too late to feel the structured feeling of freedom we’re after.

As I’m looking to organize my following week, I divide my work into categories.

This might look something like this:

Client Facing Work:

Blog due for Client “S” on Wednesday
Set up a new payment system
Get testimonials from previous Client “K”
Close contracts 1,2 and 3

Creative Work:

Write a blog post for MindbodyGreen
Create Podcast Flow

Audience Building:

Send Newsletter Monday
Record Podcast Monday
Post on IG 3x
Upload YT Videos
Guest Blog 2x

Household:

Oil Change
Housekeeper appointment
Snacks for Friends on Friday

Professional Development:

Money Bootcamp Homework
Coaching Call
Combat negative self talk

Once I’ve written out what I’d like to accomplish in the following week, I spread the work out evenly, based on deadlines and other excitement in my Daily Planner, in PENCIL.

Pencil saves me a lot of heartaches, as you know… things change! But, the main goal of this exercise is to get your deadlines, plans, and creative ventures out of your head and onto the paper. When you contrast your list to the number of appoitments you have that day, that also helps you get more realistic vs. keeping a to-do list of 50 things on a 5 meeting day.

How to Schedule Your Day for Creativity and Productivity - Guest Post by Gabi Garrett - E-Partners Marketing Inc.

The night before the following day, I look at my pencil items and commit to what makes the most sense at the moment in pen. This also helps me not cancel on myself, the pen is my final level of commitment.

With this structured planning process, I’ve found the creative entrepreneur in me has a structure that she builds around her favorite things such as … jumping in the pool, getting manicures and going to yoga - all of which, I just couldn’t do without my organizational routine.

Gabi works with top-level entrepreneurs on their messaging, media strategy and marketing. When she isn't working with her executive clients, she writes articles on self-help, just like this one. After leaving her full-time job to become a writer, she learned, grew and developed into someone she's proud of. Her passion lies in inspiring the world to chase their dreams too! Her work on this topic has been featured in the USA Today Network, Elite Daily, Apartment Therapy, Tiny Buddha, the Elephant Journal and more.