The Heat is On: Summer Scheduling
Memorial Day Weekend is upon us which means Summer Is Here. Summer is difficult for many parents in small business. Schools let out, Camps are pricey, Babysitters take vacations, Schedules change, and well, let’s face it - we want to be outside sharing time with our kids (myself included).
On the flip side, the 2nd quarter of the year is coming to a close as summer hits, and parents in business are no different than anyone else. We want our momentum to keep going into the 3rd quarter without interruptions. I definitely do.
In my opinion, summer and business growth and productivity do not need to work against each other. In fact, greater productivity can lead to greater enjoyment of summer.
I have a sneaky suspicion the busier I am, the more I achieve and fit in to my day.
Think about it - When you have large chunks of time that are unaccounted for…What do you do? My guess is daydream, play with apps, doodle, waste time, or grab a coffee.
When we are busy and have a really full schedule, we actually fit more in because we are diligent about scheduling. We make time for each task and responsibility, hopefully blocking out time for our families and fitness and sleep. We map out our days out of NECESSITY, so we can cross everything off not leaving a spare minute to doodle.
A few weeks ago, I had the distinct pleasure of hearing Samantha Ettus speak about work family balance on a panel for Hot Topics for Moms in Business. Samantha imparted us with one tiny little tidbit that stuck in my mind because it is the way I live. “Run your life like train schedule.” Samantha dramatically changed her entire family’s schedule so both she and her husband could run their businesses and spend time with their children.
Operating on that schedule allows Samantha to fit in everything that she and her husband prioritize. This is how I live year-round, but especially in summer. During summer, most of us have the benfit of warm weather and longer days, which lets us squeeze in an early morning run or evening walk for ice cream with all of other responsibilities sandwiched in the middle.
I hope each and everyone of you enjoys your holiday weekend, and as it comes to a close set some goals for your summer. Outlining both business and family goals are important. Then, take a look at your schedule week by week and draft up a timeline for those goals. Insert tasks in your calendar along with time to enjoy your kids, dogs and the summer weather.
Reach out to friends and other parents in your neighborhood to arrange a childcare swap, carpools, or information on local kids’ programs. Go over plans with your spouse and partner and put it all in the schedule!
I am training for a half-marathon, and I think the discipline used in my training can be applied to business. I have a plan mapped out with goals I want to hit and how much I need to run, stretch and rest/reinvigorate to get to my goal. The same goes for business. I know where I want to go, which includes how many nights I need to work to get there and how I can take the weekends off to replenish myself and my family.
I would love for you to share your top summer goal with me and how you have scheduled to make it happen! Keeping one another accountable is always helpful!
Here is to an amazing summer for you and me both. I hope your business rises like the heat (Don’t forget to cool off with an ice-cream).
For more on ’summer tricks of the trade for moms and dads’…read here.
Rachel
May 24th, 2012 at 2:30 pm
This is a great post! Thanks for sharing!!!
May 25th, 2012 at 1:01 am
Well you are right Rachel, everything need to be planned and if it so it will work best. No one deny the importance of business but time should also be given to friends and family. This not only makes them happy but you will also feel refreshing. Wish you and all others a very pleasant weekend.
May 25th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head when you pointed a important finger at discipline and the importance of using it in your business. While you’re heading into your long weekend today, ours (Canada) was last weekend, and it would have been so easy to get sidetracked and spend the majority of time doing something more entertaining that work, but it’s a growth time for me and my business so I opted instead to work through most of it!
May 26th, 2012 at 6:17 am
Rachel - great post - and just in time for the 3rd quarter planning process. Set the goal, measure it, achieve it. Thanks. Accountability is essential. My summer goal? Retain 10 clients for coaching.
May 28th, 2012 at 7:48 am
Definitely if everything is under the plan, the work will be very easy and simple. Nice post.
June 12th, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Accomplishing things seems a little like inertia where once someone is in motion they will stay in motion.
July 2nd, 2012 at 5:54 pm
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July 7th, 2012 at 1:42 am
Amazing post!Great read. Thanks for sharing it!
July 11th, 2012 at 11:12 pm
Thanks for sharing your ideas. I am struggling with trying to find time for work, family and myself. I feel like work is winning. I am sleep deprived and have goals that I want to reach this summer… just can’t seem to fit in time for myself. I am going to try mapping out my week next week. Good luck on your half. I am trying to train for one in October myself.
September 3rd, 2012 at 11:12 am
I know summer is coming to a close, but my summer goal has been to exercise more. By scheduling my time “like a train schedule” as the article suggests, I have been more likely to go the gym. It’s almost as if going to the gym is on autopilot — scheduling tightly really keeps me on task!