Mastering Your Calendar: Tips for Multi-Talented Creative Professionals
As any multi-talented, creative professional, managing time can often feel like a never-ending battle…
There are endless projects to tackle, events and meetings to attend, and collaborations to coordinate, all while trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. But with the right approach, you can master your calendar and maximize your productivity. Here are my top tips for managing your time like a pro:
Prioritize Your Tasks
Start each day by making a list of the most important tasks that need to be completed. Focus on getting the most critical tasks done first, and don’t let less important tasks get in the way.
When we do this, we like to write it out onto a notecard and check it off as we go throughout the day - it seems to help manage it more realistically instead of typing it into a to-do list (I still technically use both for different projects).
Use a Calendar App
A calendar app like Google Calendar or Apple Calendar can be a lifesaver for staying organized so long as you use it to schedule your tasks, appointments, and deadlines - Consistently. This will help you keep track of everything in one place and avoid missing important commitments.
We use it to help manage our various client projects that we work on. We have custom calendars built out to ensure we keep our deadlines and projects all lined up accordingly.
Limit Distractions
When it's time to get down to business, eliminate as many distractions as possible. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and put your phone on silent. Focusing on one task at a time will help you get it done faster and more efficiently.
We normally start a pot of coffee, put some headphones in and listen to some LoFi to chillout to.
Schedule Breaks
Taking breaks is essential for staying focused and recharging your batteries. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to help you stay refreshed and avoid burnout.
I like to go say hello to my dogs and and pace around as I look for a quick snack to go with my fresh new cup of coffee - this usually takes about 10 minutes of my mind away from the keyboard and my work brain.
Be Flexible
Life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned. Be willing to adjust your schedule and prioritize tasks as needed.
Don’t get bogged down by a rigid plan if circumstances change.
Delegate Tasks
As a creative professional, you likely have a lot of skills and talents. But you do NOT have to do everything yourself. Delegating tasks to others can free up time for you to focus on your core responsibilities and keep your schedule manageable.
We are blessed to have the amazing clients and partners that we do. Our favorite client to work with of course is Abbott & Wallace Distilling since we been there 5+ years building their brand and doing their creative projects with design, videos & photos.
Set Boundaries
Setting boundaries is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Decide what hours you want to work and stick to them as much as possible. Make sure to schedule time for self-care and recreation, too.
In the end, mastering your calendar as the awesome creative professional that you are is all about prioritizing, staying organized, and finding balance. With these tips, we hope you can take control of your time and get the most out of your day as you get that much closer to the next LVL.
You'll get here - so will we! 💪
