Brandmerry Blog Archives
3 Time Management Strategies No One is Teaching
“I don’t have enough time!” This used to be a regular phrase in my vocabulary and although I didn’t realize it at the time, it was hurting my overall productivity. Yes, you guessed it, your mindset impacts your productivity. Today I’m sharing 3 Time Management Strategies No One is Teaching!
3 Time Management Strategies No One is Teaching
BY MICHELLE KNIGHT
Time Management is so important as an entrepreneur.
I’ve found throughout my journey that by not only planning better, scheduling my time, creating more time, but also changing my outlook around time, I’ve been able to do more.
Before I can give you all the strategies I’ve used, I want to talk about how your beliefs around time are actually limiting it.
The truth is it isn’t about the strategies, if it was the new planner every year, the new calendar and the use of a tool like Trello, would magically make your time management better, but that just isn’t the case.
If the strategies work for a little while, but then you fall off the wagon, it’s time to look deeper at the root cause.
If you feel like you’re running out of time…
If you feel like you never have enough time to start…
Or you feel you’re wasting time…
This is for you!
1. MAKING TIME A TOP PRIORITY
THE VALUE OF YOUR TIME
I firmly believe that time is our greatest value.
A very significant part of my story is that I lost my brother to childhood cancer at the age of 18. It didn’t happen right away, but over the months and the years I started to change my view around time.
I know we all recognize that life isn’t infinite, but is this knowledge translating into how you spend your time daily?
How are we spending our time on this earth and are we doing the things we truly want to do?
When we put more emphasis on time as our greatest asset, we enjoy life more and the other pieces, like money, success and strong relationships, fall into place.
The biggest mindset shift I want you to take with you today is how to make time your greatest priority.
Actionable Step: Answer this question
How do you value time? How are you spending 24 hours a day?
If it’s true that we can’t get our time back then why do we use it so poorly?
HOW WE SPEND OUR TIME
When I started my business, I had to figure out how to fit this whole business into my schedule.
I had to learn very quickly that how I was spending my time wasn’t conducive to the goals I had for myself.
And before you start to think you have to make sacrifices in to reach your goals and create more time, I encourage you to focus on the choices.
It is a choice.
Where do you want to be?
What are your dreams?
What are you working towards?
You’re not going to get there if you don’t make the choice and yes sometimes the choice requires making hard decisions.
Actionable Step: Complete a time analysis
Spend the next 72 hours to track your time and how you’re spending it. This will give you a great overview of where the “time sucks” are happening. When you have this information you’ll be able to see just how much time you’re actually wasting.
Imagine if you spent 10 minutes less (minimum) on social media that’s over an hour. What could you do in an hour that will get you closer to your dreams.
If you’re not making the choice of where you’re spending your time, none of the strategies will matter.
2. IDENTIFY YOUR PRIORITIES
When is the last time you sat down and thought about your top priorities?
It’s not something that comes up in typical conversation, but it’s so important.
Actionable Step: Answer this question
You have 24 hours tomorrow to do whatever you want to reach your goals and dreams, what do you do?
We need to be asking ourselves this question because it’s so easy to get sucked into priorities with our jobs, children, spouses and more.
When you answer this question those are your values and priorities.
Maybe for you it’s:
Going outside
Exercising
Snuggling your babies
Traveling more
It’s not just about moving up the corporate ladder or having a $50k launch it’s about the things that bring you the most joy.
Identifying your values is just one step, the next part, and the part that’s up to you is how often are you living those values daily.
Please remember that you get to choose how you spend your time.
Yes, I know many of you work a 9 to 5.
Yes, many of you have children.
Of course, there are things that are required of you, but how are you spending the other hours in a day.
You will prioritize in your schedule what you prioritize in your life!
When you decide the techniques, tools and strategies will work.
3. CREATING MORE TIME DAILY
Use your calendar. We have calendars everywhere, yet so many people are not using their calendar correctly.
If you struggle with time management and aren’t scheduling EVERYTHING in your calendar, then it’s time to start.
I used to schedule date nights with my husband at the beginning of my business.
I used to schedule friend time (I still do)
I would schedule my content, coaching time and my time with my son.
By doing this, we can make the things of value to us a top priority. They are on the calendar and everything else can fit in where it can.
Get as detailed as possible to get yourself into a routine.
If you are a modern woman you are busy, there is no shame in using your calendar to prioritize your values. Put those in first and fill in the rest.
Create Boundaries. If you need to create more time you need to be clear with others and yourself about your priorities.
Find your people that you can trust and open up to about your dreams to ask for support and help. Creating boundaries with yourself allows you to ask for support from others.
This support can look like exchanging babysitting, asking for kid-free time from your husband (try for the same time every single week), it could be moving money around to invest in an assistant 2 hours a week to grow your business.
Not only is it important for you to understand that you can’t do it all, it’s also important to understand you don’t have to.
Creating boundaries with others frees up more time in your schedule to focus on the things that matter most.
You sometimes have to say no to things, to do things that get you closer to your goals and dreams.
Again, it’s not a sacrifice!
If you’d rather be doing something else, maybe it’s time to see how invested you are in your dreams.
TIME-SAVING HACKS: TOOLS I USE TO MANAGE MY TIME
Trello and Asana. Any task management platform will work, but these are my favorite.
I use them every single day for my business, but I also use them for our travels as well. You can use it while working your 9 to 5, with your weekly schedule, for project management and more.
Prepare for your week. Do yourself a favor and spend 20 minutes every single Sunday to plan out your life. I spend 20 minutes to see what my priorities are, where I’m dedicating my time, any deadlines and how I’m going have fun. This allows me to head into Monday prepared and not flying by the seat of my pants, which we all know leads to procrastination.
Have batch days. You can bulk write your content on a specific day, or meal prep on Sundays. In addition, I suggest choosing specific days that you do backend things in your business and different days to work with clients. When you batch your tasks together you will actually save yourself time.
CONCLUSION
Time is our greatest asset and it’s important to remind yourself how valuable it truly is. If you’re struggling with time management it’s time to go deeper than any strategy, it’s time to shift you’re thinking.
I promise you do have enough time, it’s all in how you use it.
If you want more tips on time management, creating boundaries and productivity be sure to subscribe to my new podcast, The Beautiful Climb on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher.
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MEET MICHELLE
Hey there, I'm Michelle Knight and I an online branding and marketing consultant for female entrepreneurs.
I believe in the power of storytelling and using that superpower to brand and market yourself online...oh and to set yourself free.
I'm obsessed with living a life of freedom, so much so, that my family and I now travel full-time while running my business from the road.
This blog serves as a home base for all things branding, marketing, content creation and more.
EPISODE 06 | Minding Your Mindset
Minding Your Mindset
Free to Be Podcast | Episode 06
On this episode of The Free to Be Podcast Ben Knight sits down with Michelle to ask her some questions he believes her audience would love to know.
I'm an open book, but it's much easier to let my walls down when speaking to my partner Ben Knight. That's why we thought it would be fun to have an intimate conversation, while sitting on the floor, about Minding Your Mindset.
Join us to learn more about:
• One of my favorite personal development practices
• The author who not only impacted my life but completely changed it
• My beliefs around time and my suggestions for creating more of it in your life
• What I learned from my own transitions and why I believe they are always changing
• Where I hope to be in 5 years!
• Who I'm currently crushing on in the entrepreneur world
• A glimpse inside what my postpartum experience really taught me
• What I REALLY think about authenticity!
In this episode, I not so subtly share about my upcoming 5-day challenge happening in November to Uncover and Own Your Story for a Bold, Captivating and Money-Making Brand!
Join me for this 5-day challenge where you'll uncover:
↠ How to grab attention online using your story and effectively use your values to resonate and attract your ideal clients online.
↠ How to become clear on the most powerful parts of your story that should be shared with your ideal client to start building authentic relationships that lead to consistent sales (plus storytelling pitfalls to avoid to safeguard your expert status).
↠ Why powerfully capturing your story is the essence of an unstoppable brand and how every piece of your business from your branding, ideal client, messaging and even your programs fall effortlessly into place.
Sign up here: brandmerry.com/storychallenge
Important Links Mentioned in This Episode
Uncover and Own Your Story Challenge
Episode 1: Married to an Entrepreneur
CONNECT WITH ME
Web: brandmerry.com
Instagram: @brandmerrycoaching
Facebook: @brandmerrycoaching
Biz Group: Authentic Brand Builders
LOVE THE FREE TO BE PODCAST?
I kinda secretly hoped you'd say yes! I love you right back lady and I'm so honored you tune in every week for massive inspiration. I've got a favor to ask. Would you be so kind as to leave a review of the podcast on iTunes (if you haven't already)? It means so much to me to read your reviews + it allows more people to get their hands on the amazing interviews and content. Let's spread the love, shall we? REVIEW ON ITUNES ↠
Podcast Featured Review of the Week
Incredible podcast by mucutiepie124
“Michelle is amazing! She is genuine, inspiring and has incredible tips and tricks for the female entrepreneur! I follow all things Michelle and so glad she has started this amazing podcast! So stoked for future episodes!”
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Four Tips to Improve Productivity While Working From Home
Four Tips to Improve Productivity While Working From Home
October 11, 2018
When I was getting ready for my first week as a “full-time entrepreneur” I was freaking out! I turned to the power of the internet and reached out to other entrepreneurs asking, “What tips do you have for working from home?”
The response was overwhelming, ideas flooded in ranging from; don’t make a plan just go with it to only work 3 hours a day for better efficiency. However, there was a slight problem with these suggestions - no one who commented was a mother!
Now, whether you’re a mompreneur or not this post will still be super valuable to you, but it’s an important part of my productivity journey because I had no other option that to make it work. Over the past two years, I’ve freaking mastered productively working from home, even when some of the biggest distractions were injecting themselves into my day (thinking baby peeing on you during a live stream, mid-day screams and 💩)!
If you struggle with getting sht done while working from home, you’ve come to the right place. I’m sharing four of my top tips for Improving Your Productivity While Working From Home.
**Please note some of the links are affiliate links. I only recommend products I absolutely love, but I might receive a small commission from your engagement.
1. PLAN THE NIGHT BEFORE.
I can’t stress enough how important planning is for productivity - I mean thing about it when you fly by the seat of your pants you’re constantly bouncing from one thing to another. Did someone say squirrel?!
One of the best strategies I’ve used for productivity over the past 6 months has been to carve out 15 minutes to map out and structure my tasks for the following day.
The night before I hop into my Weekly Schedule on *Trello and sit with my schedule for the next day. Based on family plans and weather (I’m a big advocate for Zoo days) I’ll move things around on my board. I also like to rank my tasks in order of importance and put a time limit on some of them (i.e. things like writing this blog post).
This allows me to have a full picture of the next 24 hours before I even go to sleep, reducing the overwhelm, allowing me to feel on top of my sh*t and to get more things checked off.
Want to try Trello for your business? Grab a free account here: https://trello.com/michelleknight6/recommend
2. Set a timer
When I was a kid my mom used to set a timer in the morning, you know one of those old-school white timers for your counter? Every morning she’d set the timer and when that timer went off we knew it was time to leave for school. Ok, total disclaimer I was still late like 99% of the time, but just think how late I would’ve been if I didn’t have that timer.
This is such a great trick for increasing productivity in your business as well. When it’s time to dive into the black hole that is social media, set a timer for 15 or 30 minutes and when that timer goes off - GET OUT OF THERE!
I love to use the timer method in my business for:
• Social media engagement
• Writing my emails
• Writing my blog posts
• Answering emails
• Tech (SO important to set a timer with this one)
Think of the areas of your business that are major time sucks and set that timer!
3. Batch Scheduling
One of the hardest things to do when working from home is to jump from one project to another. My greatest strategy since day one has been batch scheduling. Rather than spreading out your writing over the course of 5 days, how would it feel to be in your creative zone for a longer chunk of time, rather than having to start over?
When I try to write a single email a day, over the course of a week, it takes me 2x longer for each than if I were to sit down for three hours and write all my emails and social posts. Batch scheduling will save your bootay if you are an online entrepreneur who has to write ANYTHING (so basically everyone)!
Get in the habit of scheduling your batch writing at least once a week, maybe twice, in the beginning, to start finding a rhythm and routine. Before you know it you’ll be writing 10-minute emails and blog post with ease.
4. USE YOUR TIME WISELY
Efficiency is all about looking for all the areas in which you can use up space. When my son was teething and needed to go on daily walks, I would bring my cell phone with me and create talk-to-text documents for my emails. If I didn’t have the time in the day to sit down, you better believe I was using this time to my advantage.
When I use to drive to and from my 9 to 5, I would listen to podcasts which inspired the crap out of me and would record small ideas and notes in my phone, so I didn’t forget a single idea.
Look for every single opportunity you have to tap into your creative space. We all have the same hours in a day, it’s about HOW we use those hours that makes the biggest difference.
How are you currently using your time? Where are your biggest time sucks?
Some people call me the Get Sh*t Done Queen (ok, not a lot of people, but you get the idea) - I’m really great at streamlining and being the most effective with my time.
It’s because in the beginning of my business I had to be! I built this business from zero to multiple 6-figures in two years while working a 9 to 5 in the beginning and raising a baby. Productivity is my jam and that’s why it is one of the main pillars of my signature group program Roadmap to Freedom.
The doors are opening for Roadmap to Freedom for the third time this November!
If you are a new or aspiring female entrepreneur who is ready to launch an online business that allows her to make money on her own terms then this program is for YOU! When you join the waitlist before October 19 you’ll get first dibs on all the amazing bonuses + save some serious cash when you sign up during pre-enrollment.
Learn more and join the waitlist at brandmerry.com/freedom.
The One Tool I Used to Scale My Business Past Six Figures
The One Tool I Used to Scale My Business Past Six Figures
SEPTEMBER 8, 2018
Organization - you’re either really good at it or NOT, and I have to admit it’s something I was born with.
I remember organizing my mom’s closet and basement on the regular as a child, teen and young adult.
I like to give a little credit to the fact that I’m a Virgo (shout out to my fellow Virgo’s), but I also know it’s because I don’t like my space or head to feel crowded.
You know the feeling right? You have a million thoughts running through your head, a million things to do, that you can’t seem to narrow in on the must-do task.
Ok, cool so I’m not alone.
Well, when it comes to being an online entrepreneur, a lack of organization and productivity can impact your business, and not in a good way.
I mean think about it, if you’re always wondering what you should be working on and when, and flailing from one thing to another without a clear plan of action, you’re not going to move very fast in the direction of your dreams.
When I started my business, I was a loyal supporter of the good ‘ole pen to paper planner. I would write my tasks every Sunday night in my planner to prepare for the week ahead until I didn’t.
I got to a point in my business where I couldn’t have my planner with me at all times and would often forget to write my thoughts, etc. down promptly. Ever seen those planners that have months missing? That was me.
So I switched. But before I share what I’m now using in my business I want to chat about the importance of organization and planning out your tasks (yes, day-to-day all the way to a year in advance).
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
When I started my business, I was just trying to get by, so if you are reading this and thinking, “Yeah, Michelle that is so me right now!” then know that I totally get it.
But, eventually I just felt like I was spinning my wheels, I needed a better way to look at the big picture if I was going to keep moving forward, but I still was reluctant to take action.
Then I heard something that completely changed the way I looked at planning and organization, and that’s coming from a Virgo. I listened to a podcast in which they chatted about building a 7-figure business. They said, and I’m totally paraphrasing here, “If you want a successful 7-figure business start treating your business like it now!”
What? Mind blown! If I want to get to 7-figures, if you want to get to 6 or 7-figures, then we better start treating our businesses the same way they do.
And let me tell you, they are not flying by the seat of their pants.
ENTER TRELLO
I knew I needed a system to not only organize my day to day tasks but a way to organize every aspect of my business, including my workflows for content, client onboarding and working with my team.
I absolutely fell in love with the possibilities with Trello, the fact that it was free (I mean YES) and how visual the platform was.
As someone who loves a good post-it note, it felt like a much more efficient and eco-friendly way to organize my ideas.
Since using Trello, I’ve been able to create multiple boards including but not limited to:
My Brand
My Weekly Schedule
My Big Picture Goals
Blog Workflow
Podcast Workflow - Subscribe to The Free to Be Podcast
Client Onboarding
Content Creation Strategy
Oh, and the occasional personal board (in fact I used Trello to organize my checklists and to-do list for my trip to Paris and Iceland).
Interested in trying Trello, check it out here →
*Please note this is an affiliate because as the blog post suggests, I absolutely LOVE IT!
One of my absolute favorite ways to use Trello, besides the weekly schedule, is to organize my big goals. I feel like this is what was holding me back when using the planner, I couldn’t see the big picture.
Now I have a designated board which easily shows my HUGE quarterly goals, my ideas for passion projects and a breakdown of what I’m working on and when in my business.
It’s changed the game for me and contributed to me hitting multiple 6-figures in my business this year.
Did I mention it’s free? Ok, cool!
Want all my Trello workflows, customizations and additions? This month in Free To Be U, my monthly membership community, we are taking a deep dive into task management and organization.
Learn more and sign up today →
I’d love to know in the comments your favorite way to organize your business tasks and if you don’t have one, will you be using Trello?
How to Set Healthy Boundaries for a Successful Business
How to Set Healthy Boundaries for a Successful Business
August 30, 2018
If you start getting into the habit of setting boundaries in your business, even if you're just starting out, it's going to make a huge difference. Today I'm sharing some small adjustments you can make in your business to set healthy boundaries.
You should be creating a business that compliments your ideal life of freedom and not one that takes away from it, but it's easy to kind of let your business take over. You have to make a conscious effort to create harmony between your business and your life.
In today's blog post I'm sharing how to set boundaries outside and inside your business. Feel free to read or scroll to the bottom to watch the complimentary video.
Setting Boundaries Outside Your Business
You have to be open to communicating with your friends and family what it is you really do. You're not just staying at home, or hanging out on Facebook all day. We have to understand that there is going to be a time to dedicate to our business and a time to dedicate to our family and friends.
We have to find that harmony - and you'll notice I don't say balance because to me balance seems like 50/50 and it may not always be 50/50. Harmony is about the ebb and flow, which is more realistic when running a business. Think about a launch - you're not always launching, but it's a time when your business needs more love.
How can you communicate with your loved ones when you're going through a launch and are a little busier within your business?
There is no exact formula or percentage between your business and your family. I don't believe in them because it's going to be constantly changing. So you just need to be aware if you are working all the time or if you're neglecting your business, and make the adjustments where needed. You have to honor the seasons of your business and your life.
Ben, my husband, knows my schedule. He knows when carts open when I'm launching, when I have downtime, and that helps our lives run smoothly. Make sure your family is aware that this is your passion and to support you during those busier times in your business.
Having those conversations is so important, because it allows you to give yourself permission to be fully present in your work and with your family.
One of the biggest things for me was creating my office space, so I can shut the door when I need to. If you need to, move your work. I love blocking time off to go work at a coffee shop if I know that I have something big to get done.
Even for things that aren't business related. If I want to take Cal, my son, to the Zoo on a nice day - I will block that out in my calendar. That is stepping into that CEO role.
Give yourself permission to love your business and also love the people around you. Understand when you need to love on your business or love on your family. And when you're with your family, remove the distractions. Stay off your phone. But also remember that no ones perfect, so don't get down on yourself if you break the boundaries every now and then.
Action Steps: Block out the time in your calendar and honor it, create an "office" space, leave your home to work, when you're with your family remove distractions.
Setting Boundaries Inside Your Business
The biggest areas you need to set boundaries for yourself are on social media, emails (clients) and tech. From my experience those are the most significant time suckers.
Boundaries online. Some of my favorite tricks to making sure I don't get sucked in are to put myself on a timer, so I'm not spending all of my time in these areas. Another strategy is to set one or two times a day where you check your email. If someone emails after that, you can respond the next day and the same for your Facebook groups.
Boundaries with your clients and your audience. It's really important that you are clear from the get-go what your clients can expect from you and what you can expect from them. One thing I do with my clients is give them a 24-48 hour response time. If they email after I've already checked my email that day, they aren't going to get a response until tomorrow.
This actually empowers your client because it gives them room to explore their own answers and ideas. My favorite thing is when I get an email on Friday night with a bunch of questions, and yes some of the questions will require my guidance, but come Monday they have already figured out a lot of their questions and now feel confident taking action in their own business.
Boundaries with yourself. One of my mentors told me some advice that has changed my business this year and I want to pass that on to you. Stop working 15 minutes before you think you're done. We can push ourselves, but that will just lead to burnout and frustration. I could probably work 12 hours straight, but that's not good for me, that's not good for my soul, and that's not good for my family.
Action Steps: Set an alarm for when you are going on social media, block out time in your calendar for emails, stop working 15 minutes before you think you're done.
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