Why you need to clarify what happens in the time blocks

In the previous post I discussed the importance of working in time blocks-- massive chunks of time when you "get into it" and "stay in it" on the project.

Once you've blocked the time, you need to do this: set clear goals for what needs to happen during those blocks of time. 

Each of the projects I listed the previous post where I outlined my blocks are different. Depending on the season we’re in— I have different responsibilities to each. Let me explain… 

I prioritize my personal projects first— above clients. That’s why I work on my own stuff first.

I suggest you do this, too. Rather than trying to squeeze your dream into the end of your days or smash it into a weekend— at the times you’re most tired and least sharp— prioritize it. 

What it looks like

On Mondays I generate 5 email broadcasts, I review at least one of my current sequences and opt-ins, I write my weekly blog post, I schedule at least a week of social media, and I evaluate which launches I have in the near future.  I also generate 5 more texts for my textbot. I do this by maintaining a content calendar. 

That sounds like a lot, but I keep the same workflow every week. And, I don’t schedule anything else for that morning. I protect this time.

Furthermore, I’m not creating everything from scratch when I sit down. Maintaining a digital filing system will increase the speed of your output while decreasing your workload and the time / energy required to complete these tasks. 

Tuesday mornings, I  push through my workflow for a coaching organization for which I manage the digital footprint. I write 5-6 emails, schedule at least a week of social media content, and make any website edits that have been requested. Once a month on the second Tuesday of the month, I create 5-6 blog posts (and schedule them well into the future). Once a month on the third Tuesday of the month I schedule 2 podcasts. I’m always done by lunch. 

Tuesday afternoons, I do the exact same thing for a different organization. I manage all of their content (and create much of it), then schedule it to do what it needs to do for at least the next 7 days.

A few years ago I had a weeklong trip planned. I knew I didn’t want to find myself forced to sit behind my computer and crank out broadcasts every few days. Suddenly, a thought hit me: “If I can schedule my emails and social media for a week at a time, I can— just as easily— do it for a few weeks at a time.” 

During my time block that week, I pushed everything two weeks in advance instead of my usual one. Oddly enough, it didn’t require twice as much time to do it, either. I’ve found that staying in something actually makes it more efficient.

Find your sweet spot, the groove that works for you

In time, I learned that the sweet spot for me was to schedule about two weeks ahead of time for most things. I still maintain those time blocks, but they free me to focus more on content creation, enabling me to work ahead. 

At some point, I realized that “batching” the content works best, too. That is, it doesn’t require double the amount of time to write 2 emails as it does to create a single broadcast. The second email, particularly when you’re using templates and other shortcuts that you’ll learn throughout the Amplify resources, requires about half the time as the first— if you create them at the same time. 

If you take this farther, you discover that the third and fourth emails require even less time than the second, such that you’ll eventually— with the correct systems in place— be able to create 6 or 7 in the time required to complete 2 if done separately. 

Podcasting works the same way.  As does social media. Once you step into your groove, it’s better to stay in the flow. 

But, it all begins by clarifying what you'll do when you step into the workflow...

Suggested training = How to build a content calendar

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