Productivity

Blogging Tips ● Stress Management Tips for Your Hectic Schedule

Starting a blog and taking care of it full-time isn't the easiest job in the world. And that's when life is on a normal schedule! Do you stress out during the holidays or when you get back from vacations? I've had some crazy to-do lists lately myself and have some stress management tips to share. 

If you follow me on Instagram Stories then you saw that my family and I are moving. To say that raising a toddler, packing up boxes, running a business, and still finding time for myself has been chaotic is an understatement! I know you can relate! 

Here are some of the ways I've been juggling everything and still keeping my cool. 

Tip #1: Prioritize and list everything

I'm a huge fan of lists and use them in nearly every aspect of my life. Just ask my husband about how much he adoooooores my never-ending lists. Ha!

If you can, begin to write down the tasks you'll need to accomplish before your chaotic schedule gets here. So if you leave for vacation in 4 weeks, write down everything that needs to happen before, during, and after that time. 

Then prioritize everything! I like to play the "Highest Priority" game that I mentioned in this post about how I stay productive. 

This post contains affiliate links. Please read my Disclaimer for more info. 

Tip #2: Automate as many tasks as you can

Starting a blog and taking care of it full-time isn't the easiest job in the world. And that's when life is on a normal schedule! Do you stress out during the holidays or when you get back from vacations? I've had some crazy to-do lists lately myself and have some stress management tips to share.

We just wrapped up the most successful launch of my Blogging to Win course and I've got a big secret to share...I literally did nothing during that launch. 

Let me explain. 

I sat down and wrote an incredibly detailed list of tasks that needed to get accomplished months before I opened the doors. Then I woke about a few hours earlier than normal for about two months and accomplished them all. 

This means that every email that was sent, all promotions that were created/written, and some of the posts that were published were scheduled months before the launch actually occurred. 

Automating your posts is easy with platforms like ConvertKit, Hootsuite, Recurpost, Facebook scheduling, and even the integrated scheduling systems on your blog platform and YouTube.

I scheduled as many things as I could and then switched focus to packing. I checked in each day of the launch to answer any emails and see sales figures (WOOOHOOO!) but that was it. I was making money while I was packing my home. Best. Launch. Ever. 

I was making money while I was packing my home. Best. Launch. Ever.

Tip #3: Simplify and let go of the need for perfection

If you watched the video above (and you've watched all the others on my channel) then you could immediately tell that this one was a tad more casual than the rest. That's because I literally took 15 minutes to sit down and record it in between packing up my kitchen. 

As a business owner, I know it's a bad idea to have a long period of radio silence. But I HAVE to move my family so what am I supposed to do?! My answer was to simplify the process I have to create, edit, and publish content and then let go of my need for perfection. 

It was killing me that I filmed this on my living room floor in a baseball cap. But you wonderful readers don't care about that, do you? No! You care about whether or not I'm providing useful content. 

Tip #4: Attack harder/dreaded tasks in 20 minute spurts

Let's just take a minute to talk about how boring it is to go through the junk in your garage. Or how boring it can sometimes be to proofread long blog posts. 

Take a little of the pressure off by setting a timer for 20 minutes and tackling as much as you can. If you're feeling good at the end of it, then do another 20 minutes. But is not, hey, you're accomplishing that hard task a little bit at a time and that's okay.

Tip #5 (my favorite!): Seek out positive and happy influences

Misery loves company so resist the urge to let your chaotic schedule take over all of your conversations too. Instead, reach out to those friends or family who will give you an positive piece of advice or just some encouragement.

My mom was an actual cheerleader in high school and her "We Can Do It" attitude hasn't faded over the years. I normally talk to her pretty often but lately we've been talking almost every day. 

She's the one person I can count on to place a positive spin on almost any situation. This really annoyed me when I was a hormonal teenager. But as a grown woman with a baby of her own, I recognize just how lucky I am. 

I also recommend reaching inspirational books to help keep your spirits up. I'm reading Matthew Kelly's Resisting Happiness right now and it's so good, I can't even begin to describe it!

My favorite quote so far has been, "The ability to delay gratification is intimately linked with success. You cannot succeed at anything unless you are willing and able to delay gratification."

Always remember that holidays, vacations, and sports seasons all come to an end. Just hang in there!

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Plan With Me | Blogger & SAHM Edition (Erin Condren LifePlanner)

Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!

Plan with me while I use my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out all the little gadgets I use to decorate and organize my week! 

Watch the video version of this post below or keep scrolling for the text version. This post may contain affiliate links but I only recommend things I love or use so no worries there. Read my Disclaimer for more info.

PRODUCTS MENTIONED:

I apologize for the quality on some of these photos! I recorded this Plan with Me straight through and didn't stop for photos. Most of the snaps below are the best screenshots I could get from the video. 

1. Start with my Erin Condren LifePlanner in the vertical layout. The first thing I do is check my content calendar in the monthly view to see what videos/blog posts I have planned for that week.

Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!
Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!

2. Use the washi tape to line the left-hand portion of the week as well as the three sections on each day of the week. I also marked off all of January 16 because it's my hubby's birthday and I only want to spend the day relaxing with family. 

Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week! Plan With Me | Blogger & SAHM Edition (Erin Condren LifePlanner)

3. I insert larger stickers in one of the slots on each day of the week to add a little bit of fun. Now I create perfect to-list lines with my stencil in all of the remaining slots. 

Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!
Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!

4. I fill in my most important list of duties for the week but make sure I leave plenty of room for other tasks that will definitely pop up throughout the week.

Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!
Plan with me in this video using my Erin Condren LifePlanner! If you've ever wondered what it looks like inside a blogger's planner, now's your chance to find out. Check out how I decorate and organize my week!

And that's it! Now I'm ready for the week! 

I know it might seem like a waste of time to use all of this washi tape and stickers but the act of sitting down after the kiddo has gone to bed is actually very therapetuic for me. Mommy needs her "me" time and getting creative while planning my week is totally up my alley.

What planner do YOU use to plan your week? 

GET $10 OFF YOUR FIRST ERIN CONDREN PURCHASE by using my special link here and creating a free account with them! 

Blog Planning Organization | Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. 

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

Some people can stay organized with some basic tools from the Dollar Store. Unfortunately for my wallet, I cannot. I've tried them so many times but either the lack of functionality or the poor quality will fail me.

I'm busy so I need a lot of small planning details in my planners. I'm also very hard on my planning tools now that I have a toddler. I need items that can withstand a year's worth of animal crackers and trips to the park!

Watch the video version of this post up above (don't forget to subscribe!) OR scroll down for the text version.

This post contains affiliate links but girl, I don't recommend stuff I don't love! You can read my Disclaimer for more info. 

Erin Condren Planner

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of the Erin Condren LifePlanner, after I did a haul here and a cheap alternative stickers haul here. 

I use this planner to create my content calendar in the monthly view portion and then get more detailed with day to day tasks in the vertical, weekly view. I sometimes separate portions of each day by YouTube, Blog, and To-Do tasks but they usually start to blend together if I have a lot to accomplish! 

Psssst...get $10 off your first order by using my special link and joining their email list!

Blank Moleskins

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

This particular type of Moleskin is great for me because 1) I'm a sloppy writer and 2) I like to use diagrams and bubbles to define my strategies and product launches. 

I go through A LOT of these but they're relatively cheap so it's no big deal on my wallet. And I'm a total hoarder. I have strategies written from my very first product launch still saved so sometimes it's great to go through old Moleskins and see how I've progressed. 

Dry Erase Calendars (Gold!)

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

These calendars are really great because I'm such a visual, snapshot planner. I like to see weeks in advance all at once to get a real feel of exactly how busy I'm about to be! 

I keep these calendars exclusively for my launches and re-launches. I just don't want them getting mixed up in my regular planner because there is usually so much to get done that I have the tendency to lose track of my progress!

Legal Pads

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

This particular item may not make sense for a lot of you guys and that's totally cool! But I have a young toddler at home and in 2016, I made it my mission to make sure he didn't see me on an electronic device much throughout the day. Yeah, you read that right. 

I wake up super early and work on a computer and (obviously) use my smartphone throughout the day. But as a whole, he probably sees my face in front of a screen for a total of 1-2 hours/day. That may be a little or a lot for some of you but that's a significant decrease from what it used to be for me.

I used to do all of my client work throughout the day while he would play next to me. He wasn't even on an electronic device but it bothered me so much that he saw his Mama on one. 

I use these legal pads to outline what I want to say in blog posts or videos so that when I wake up early, I can just quickly type things up. It's a bit redundant because I'm taking an extra step but I'm much happier with our new normal of very little computer time throughout the day. 

Fine Point Pens

I get so many questions about what I use to plan and organize my blog content so I'm excited to share a sneak peak into everything today! I've got a favorite planner, calendar, notebook, and even pens so let's get started. | Blog Planning Organization: Planner, Calendars, Notebooks, & Pens

You guys might find this one so silly but I need good pens to really keep things looking neat in my planner! It's no secret around here that my handwriting isn't the best. Sometimes I'll read my planner and not know what I meant to write.

These pens have the finest tip and a smooth glide. They also have some sentimental value because my grandmother used them for as long as I can remember. After she passed away, they became something special to add to my daily work life. It's a HUGE bonus that they work beautifully! 

What are your favorite products to plan with? 

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Planner Stickers Haul | Erin Condren Dupes

While I love the Erin Condren LifePlanner, I was a little disappointed with their stickers. But I found some great planner stickers at Michaels so I'm excited to share this haul of Erin Condren dupes, as well as tips on what NOT to buy at Erin Condren!

While I love the Erin Condren LifePlanner, I was a little disappointed with their stickers. But I found some great planner stickers at Michaels so I'm excited to share this haul of Erin Condren dupes, as well as tips on what NOT to buy at Erin Condren!

*This post is not sponsored. All items were purchased on my own. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may get a small commission at NO additional cost to you. Thank you for helping support this blog!

PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO:
Recollections Magnetic Set (Can’t find my syle online. :( Check in stores!) 
Create 365 Pen Holder 
Recollections Note Taken Stickers
Recollections Note Taken Washi Stickers 
Recollections Uptown Chic Words (I can’t find these anywhere online. :()
Recollections Stencil
Recollections Watercolor Stickers  
Create 365 Gold Foil Stickers 
Create 365 Recipe Stickers 
Create 365 Don’t Forget Stickers 
Recollections Washi Tabe Tube (Can’t find my exact design online. ) Similar here 
American Crafts Gold Calligraphy Pen 

GET $10 OFF YOUR FIRST ERIN CONDREN PURCHASE by using my special link here and creating a free account with them! 

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