Working from home is my bread and butter. Being an full-time entrepreneur for the past three years, I’ve become pretty used to it. If you’re not used to it though, it can feel pretty weird at first. Here are a few tips to stay productive and enjoy it more!
Create a Routine & Weekly Structure
Having routines has brought so much peace to my life. My routine includes sleeping in (I don’t schedule anything before 10:30 am so that I can have my morning coffee & devotional), trying to stay off of social media before noon, and getting the bulk of my work done between 1-5.
On top of that, I’ve created a structure for my week which has been an absolute GAME-CHANGER!!
Monday: CEO Day (I actively work towards my quarterly goals, plan for the week, etc.)
Tuesday: Coaching calls & client work
Wednesday: Client work and/or Photo sessions
Thursday: Coaching calls & tying up loose ends
Friday: Admin day (looking at the week ahead, client emails, podcast interviews, etc.)
Time blocking my week has given me so much more room to focus!
Create a Space You LOVE
The first thing I did when we moved to our apartment in Bloomington, was begin designing my home office to be a space I truly loved. It’s now my favorite room in the house! I got a pretty rug from amazon to bring in a pop of color, white shelves to open up the space, and décor for the walls. And plants!! I have my trusty snake plant which brings some life to the room (and is the only kind of plant I can keep alive).
You may not have your own room to claim as your office, and that’s okay. If at all possible, just claim a certain space as your own and then decorate it in a way that will make you happy. At our previous apartment, my work space was in our living room. But, I still decorated the wall in front of my desk so that I felt like I was in my own little world.
Having a space you love will bring you so much joy when you sit down to work on projects and tasks that need to get done.
Experience More Productivity by…
It’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Here’s how I experience productivity in my business:
- Keep your phone on Do Not Disturb
- Turn off notifications for social media & email
- Delete Instagram if you need to!
- Set a timer for 50 min. (be in focus mode) and then 17 min. (walk around, drink water, stand up, don’t look at screens)
- Track your time with the Toggl app (it’s free!)
I love all of these tips and they’ve all helped tremendously! The other thing I would say, is designating a specific space as your work space will help SO MUCH. Since you’ll associate that space as the place where you get things done, you’ll be more productive in that setting.
Here’s what I’m working on in my business right now…
Focusing On My Current Clients
More than anything, my main priority is my current clients. I’m loving on them even more than usual in this uncertain time, because now more than ever I want them to feel taken care of & appreciated. Giving them (and sometimes specially creating) bonus resources, checking in on them, engaging with their posts on social media & sharing them on my stories, sending them thoughtful gifts, etc. Your clients are important, don’t leave them in the dark!
Building my Email List & Creating an Email Nurture Sequence
I’m building my email list through Flodesk (and having so much fun with it!) and creating email sequences for each part of my business right now (coaching, branding photography, boudoir). All you need is 3-4 emails to set up to automatically send for you when someone opts into your list.
If you need help with your email list, hit me up! I’m more than happy to help! Email me at hello@joelleelizabeth.com
Creating a Media Kit & Looking Into Influencer Marketing
Did you know that 80% of most brands’ marketing budget is set aside for influencer marketing? With everything moving even more towards e-commerce, it’s an awesome time to get into the influencer space (especially if you’re a nano or micro-influencer!). Kahlea Nicole is the perfect person to talk to about this if you’re interested in getting into this space, it’s her expertise!
Building Passive Income
I’m so grateful to already have pieces of my business offered online during this time. Now, I’m even more motivated to build passive income and diversify my income streams. I’m looking into affiliate income, creating online offers like e-books & presets, and building online courses.
Investing in Myself & My Business
It’s been incredible to see how innovative everyone has been, and I love how so many entrepreneurs are shifting their mindset and approach more towards service. I’ve invested in a few online programs and webinars to learn new skillsets, and sharpen some current ones! I’m also reading more books, which you all know is my favorite thing ever. (Ps, just did a post on my favorite books over here!)
Serving My Audience with New Resources & Tips
I’ve been working on more blog posts, sending out fresh emails to my list, and sharing mini trainings on my Instagram stories! Here’s where you can find resources from me:
- Free Marketing Plan for April
- FB Group: Grow with Jo Community
- Instagram: @JoelleElizabethPhoto
I know everything feels all over the place right now, but these are a few things you can work on in your business to stay on track. You’ve got this!!
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