This summer season, I’m planning to work as little as doable – and I’m actually wanting ahead to it.

I’ve spent years constructing a enterprise that provides me freedom. And one of many greatest causes I began Making Sense of Cents was in order that I might select how I spend my time. I really like running a blog and serving to others, however I additionally wish to be current for the enjoyable moments – particularly in the course of the summer season when my household and I are out exploring, touring, and having fun with life (summer season is my favourite season within the mountains – so I wish to use that point absolutely!).

And I do know I’m not the one one who desires to take pleasure in their holidays or summers extra.

Whether or not you need extra seaside days, household time, and even simply lazy mornings with espresso, I wish to present you that this sort of flexibility is feasible. With some planning, methods, and the appropriate revenue streams in place, you may work much less and nonetheless earn a very good revenue.

And whereas I’m sharing this from the attitude of a full-time blogger, the following pointers could be useful for freelancers, small enterprise house owners, content material creators, course sellers, and extra. Should you run any sort of work-from-home job or on-line enterprise, you might be able to apply these concepts to create extra time in your schedule – whether or not it’s for a trip, parental depart, a sabbatical, or simply to have extra time in your day.

Right here’s how I’m setting myself up for a low-workload summer season – and how one can too.

How I Plan On Working as Little as Doable Over the Summer time (Whereas Nonetheless Making Cash)

Right here’s how I plan on working as little as doable however nonetheless become profitable. I don’t anticipate my revenue to go down in any respect – I truly anticipate it to go up!

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1. Working forward now to create respiratory room later

Proper now, I’m placing in additional effort in order that I don’t should work a lot later.

This implies I’m writing weblog posts, emails, and social media content material prematurely. I’ve already scheduled a whole lot of my content material prematurely, and I’m persevering with to remain forward so I can step away with out stress. As an alternative of making issues final minute, I do it now and get it on my calendar.

I exploit instruments like WordPress put up scheduling (each WordPress weblog has this), Package for my e mail newsletters and funnels, and the Pinterest scheduler to verify every part continues working whereas I’m offline.

I’m additionally engaged on all of these huge image duties which were increase for the final yr. I’m embarrassed to confess this however there are some duties that I’ve been pushing off for years, and I’m getting round to them now in order that I can cease interested by them. For instance, I’m combining my two programs onto one platform, in addition to testing including extra show promoting to my weblog posts. Engaged on huge issues like this proper now’s nice as a result of they may take up a whole lot of time, so I’d relatively do it now than later. I’d relatively my summer season be filled with smaller duties that don’t take up as a lot mind energy.

It feels good to know that my weblog and enterprise will nonetheless be useful to readers, even whereas I’m out mountaineering with my household or enjoyable by the water.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Create a content material calendar for the following 3–4 months. Take into consideration weblog put up subjects, e mail newsletters, and social media content material so that you’re not scrambling on the final minute.
• Schedule weblog posts and emails forward of time. Use WordPress, Package (or no matter you utilize in your e mail instrument), and Pinterest schedulers to automate your publishing.
• Establish and sort out lingering to-dos. End these annoying backend duties you’ve been laying aside – like switching platforms, cleansing up plugins, refreshing your About web page, and so forth.
• Choose 2–3 huge initiatives to finish now. Select issues that require a lot of time or brainpower and end them earlier than summer season begins.
• Create templates for recurring content material. This might be e-newsletter codecs, weblog put up buildings, or social media captions to make future content material quicker to create.
• Audit your affiliate hyperlinks and adverts. Replace them now in order that they’re working for you all summer season lengthy.

2. Batch work

Batch working is without doubt one of the finest methods to save lots of time and get extra executed.

I’ve been doing this for years, and it’s really a sport changer as a result of it permits me to be extra environment friendly with my time. As an alternative of switching backwards and forwards between totally different duties, I concentrate on one factor at a time. I’d spend a complete day simply writing weblog posts or a couple of hours solely engaged on e mail newsletters.

This helps me keep centered, keep away from distractions, and create higher work – quicker. And since I’m grouping related duties collectively, I don’t waste time switching gears or making an attempt to recollect what I used to be doing.

I even batch errands and private duties, like planning journey or stocking up on groceries, so I can keep in work mode once I’m working and luxuriate in private time once I’m off.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Select 1–2 days per week for centered batch work. These are your deep work days the place you knock out as a lot as doable in a single class (like writing or designing).
• Group duties by sort. For instance, batch all writing duties on Mondays, picture modifying on Tuesdays, and Pinterest pin creation on Wednesdays.
• Use a timer to remain centered. Strive working in 25- or 45-minute blocks with quick breaks in between (Pomodoro type).
• Create checklists for repeat duties. For instance, a guidelines for writing a weblog put up or making a Pinterest graphic can velocity issues up and ensure nothing is missed. Regardless that I’ve been running a blog for a few years, I nonetheless have a guidelines that I have a look at each single time (I’m not joking!).
• Write a number of weblog posts in a single sitting. Define 3–5 weblog posts without delay, then write drafts the following day, then edit – breaking it into clear levels.
• Report or define a number of movies or reels in a single session. Even in case you’re not filming in bulk, making ready concepts in batches helps you keep forward.
• Batch your e mail advertising. Plan and schedule your weekly or month-to-month emails multi function go, utilizing earlier content material as inspiration.
• Batch private duties too. Grocery buying, appointment scheduling, and different life to-dos could be grouped collectively in order that they don’t interrupt your work stream.

3. Outsourcing what I don’t must do

I don’t do every part myself – and that’s a part of how I work much less.

Through the years, I’ve constructed a small staff that helps with totally different elements of my enterprise. I’ve assist with Pinterest scheduling, social media administration, customer support, proofreading, and extra. I don’t have to be concerned in each little factor, and letting go of some management has allowed me to take again extra of my time.

Should you’re not prepared to rent a staff, even outsourcing only one factor may help. For instance, you would possibly rent somebody to edit your weblog posts, repurpose your content material, or assist with graphics.

Delegating duties provides me extra freedom to spend time doing what I really like – and that’s what summer season is all about.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Make an inventory of duties you don’t take pleasure in or that drain your time. This might be tech points, formatting weblog posts, making graphics, or scheduling content material.
• Begin with only one job to outsource. Select one thing easy and time-consuming (like Pinterest scheduling or proofreading).
• Rent a freelancer for five–10 hours a month. Web sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and even referrals from running a blog Fb teams are nice locations to look.
• Write a fast normal working process. Doc the way you need one thing executed with a brief Loom video or Google Doc – it doesn’t should be fancy!
• Take a look at with a small undertaking first. Earlier than hiring somebody long-term, give them one particular job and see how they do (and see in case you’re blissful).
• Set a finances and keep on with it. Even $100 to $200 a month can unencumber hours of your time and scale back burnout.
• Outsource private duties too. If work assist isn’t within the finances but, you might be eager about hiring a cleaner, grocery supply, or a part-time babysitter – all of it helps your enterprise not directly.

4. Incomes with semi-passive revenue streams

That is the most important cause I’m capable of step away from work and nonetheless earn cash: semi-passive revenue.

My principal supply of passive revenue is internet affiliate marketing. I’ve constructed up a library of weblog posts (I’ve written over 2,000 weblog posts over time) that usher in affiliate revenue day-after-day – whether or not I’m working or not. I’ve additionally created programs that promote on their very own by way of e mail funnels, weblog posts, and associates.

As a result of I’ve already executed the onerous work of making content material and constructing belief with my viewers, I don’t should be always on-line to become profitable. That’s the facility of passive revenue, it retains working for you lengthy after you’ve executed the work.

Should you’re simply getting began with a weblog, you may concentrate on creating useful evergreen content material and constructing site visitors to these posts to do the identical. In fact, just remember to promote merchandise you really consider in, and assume long-term. Semi-passive revenue builds slowly, however as soon as it’s rolling, it could actually help your life-style in a giant means.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Replace older weblog posts with recent affiliate hyperlinks. Search for posts that get regular site visitors and ensure the affiliate hyperlinks are working, related, and well-placed.
• Add product comparisons or evaluations. A majority of these posts normally convert nicely and are nice for website positioning too.
• Use affiliate hyperlinks in your e mail funnel. If somebody indicators up in your freebie or e-newsletter, ship them to useful sources that additionally earn you revenue.
• Deal with evergreen content material. Write weblog posts round subjects that can be looked for all yr lengthy (like methods to finances, methods to plan a household trip, methods to be more healthy, and so forth.).
• Monitor your top-earning posts and hyperlinks. Use affiliate dashboards or instruments like Fairly Hyperlinks to see what’s working – and do extra of that.
• Repurpose outdated content material with affiliate potential. Flip a useful Instagram put up right into a weblog put up or flip a weblog put up into an e mail e-newsletter.

You may be taught extra about my internet affiliate marketing methods in my course, Making Sense of Affiliate Advertising. This course teaches how I’ve revamped $2,000,000 with internet affiliate marketing over time!

Additionally, in case you are eager about how I become profitable on-line, I like to recommend studying this text of mine – How To Monetize A Weblog: How I Grew A $5 Million Weblog.

5. Reusing and resharing current content material

I don’t all the time must reinvent the wheel.

Through the years, I’ve written 1000’s of weblog posts, emails, and social media updates. Many of those are nonetheless priceless and related as we speak. So in the course of the summer season, I plan to refresh and reshare a few of my older content material.

This would possibly imply updating hyperlinks, tweaking headlines, or turning a well-liked put up into an Instagram carousel. I’ll additionally schedule evergreen emails to exit to my record – ones which have carried out nicely prior to now and nonetheless have a lot of worth however are up to date.

Most readers haven’t seen all of your content material, and even when they’ve, they often recognize a reminder. Repurposing saves time and retains your message constant.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Choose 5 outdated weblog posts to replace and reshare this month. Begin with posts that get good site visitors or reply frequent reader questions.
• Replace affiliate hyperlinks, photos, and outdated data. This retains your content material recent and improves person expertise (and conversions).
• Flip weblog posts into short-form video or reels. Break a put up into 3–5 suggestions and document a fast Instagram reel or TikTok.
• Create Instagram carousels or Pinterest graphics from outdated content material. Use Canva templates to hurry up the design course of.
• Flip outdated weblog posts into e mail newsletters. Pull out highlights or suggestions and ship them to your record with a private notice.
• Create a “Best of” weblog put up roundup. For instance, “10 Most Popular Side Hustles” and embody inner hyperlinks.

6. Setting clear work boundaries

One of the vital necessary issues I’m doing this summer season is defending my time.

I’m selecting particular days and hours that I’ll work and sticking to them. I’ll doubtless work only a few hours every week, largely checking in and ensuring issues are working easily. I’m additionally saying “no” to something that doesn’t match my priorities proper now.

This would possibly imply turning down sure initiatives, delaying some concepts, and even taking a break from my e mail inbox. I’ve realized that I don’t should say “yes” to every part – particularly if it means sacrificing time with my household or enjoyable.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Select your weekly work hours and keep on with them. For instance, decide to working solely Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to midday.
• Block your work time in your calendar. Deal with it like an appointment so that you’re much less tempted to squeeze in “just one more thing.”
• Create an autoresponder in your e mail. Let folks know you’re working restricted hours and after they can anticipate a reply. I don’t plan on doing this, however this can be a good suggestion for others.
• Flip off notifications exterior of labor time. Silence apps like Slack, e mail, and social media while you’re off the clock.
• Set boundaries with purchasers, manufacturers, or collaborators. Allow them to know your summer season schedule forward of time so there aren’t any surprises.
• Hold a working “later” record. Write down concepts and duties that pop up so that you don’t really feel strain to deal with them straight away. I have already got moved some duties to the autumn as a result of I don’t assume they’re necessary sufficient to do proper now.
• Delete or pause pointless apps. Take away something that will get you to test in always or distracts out of your break day.
• Share your targets with your loved ones or accomplice. Allow them to know while you’re working and while you’re absolutely off – to allow them to assist maintain you to it.

7. Specializing in high-impact duties solely

After I do work, I would like it to depend.

So I’m specializing in duties that want me proper then. For me, this would possibly imply creating content material that brings in site visitors or income, sending emails to my record, and sustaining relationships with my viewers (like answering emails) and affiliate companions.

I’m avoiding busywork – like checking stats an excessive amount of or spending an excessive amount of time on social media.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Write down your prime income-generating duties. These may be writing weblog posts, sending emails, or optimizing affiliate hyperlinks – concentrate on these first.
• Use the 80/20 rule. Ask your self: “What 20% of my tasks bring in 80% of my results?” Do extra of these, and fewer of every part else. Personally, I’ve spent a lot of my time on duties that do nothing for my enterprise or for my readers, and I do know I must cease that.
• Monitor the place your time goes. For one week, write down what you’re engaged on and the way lengthy it takes. You may be shocked what’s not truly serving to your enterprise develop. I did this final month and it actually opened my eyes as to what I spend my time on!
• Say no (or not proper now) to low-priority initiatives. It’s okay to save lots of concepts for later – they don’t all have to be executed earlier than your break.

8. Utilizing ChatGPT to brainstorm and save time

One instrument I’ve been utilizing extra these days is ChatGPT – and it’s been an enormous time-saver.

I exploit it to assist brainstorm weblog put up matter concepts, write outlines, provide you with topic traces for emails, and even draft social media captions. If I’m caught or simply want a recent view on one thing, ChatGPT helps me transfer ahead quicker. It’s like having a brainstorming accomplice accessible on a regular basis.

This doesn’t imply I don’t add my private contact – I all the time, ALWAYS do. However utilizing ChatGPT helps me skip the clean web page and save time once I want it most.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Ask ChatGPT to brainstorm weblog put up matter concepts in your area of interest. For instance, I not too long ago fed all of my most up-to-date articles which have gone viral and requested ChatGPT to brainstorm extra article concepts which are related.
• Use it to create outlines earlier than writing. You may feed ChatGPT a bunch of your outdated weblog posts after which ask: “Can you outline a post in my style titled ‘10 Easy Ways To Save Money On Groceries’?”
• Have it draft social media captions. Copy/paste a part of your weblog put up and say: “Turn this into 3 Instagram captions in my voice.”
• Flip outdated weblog content material into e mail newsletters. Paste a weblog put up and say: “Summarize this into a short, friendly email with a call-to-action.”
• Use it to write down Pinterest pin descriptions. Ask: “Write a keyword-rich Pinterest description for a post about budget travel tips.”
• Use ChatGPT to research your previous posts on Fb, examine your type, and provide you with tons of extra concepts for Fb posts.
• You may even simply inform ChatGPT all about your enterprise, after which ask it the way it thinks it could actually prevent time. For instance, you may ask: “I run Makingsenseofcents.com. How do you think ChatGPT can save me time?” or “I run a business where I plan travel for couples. How do you think ChatGPT can save me time?” I simply requested each of those questions and it gave me a bunch of concepts I didn’t even record above!

Now, I do wish to say – I by no means simply take what ChatGPT says and publish it. I’m closely modifying it and ensuring the data is appropriate. I exploit it as an on-demand assistant instrument for once I wish to brainstorm new concepts.

9. Planning for flexibility

Even with a plan, life occurs. I do know that I’ll nonetheless be working this summer season, and that’s okay. I really like what I do, so that’s utterly high-quality!

For this reason I construct in flexibility. Some weeks I’d work slightly extra and different weeks under no circumstances. I don’t plan on working 0 hours every week for 3 months straight.

As a result of I’ve constructed a enterprise that doesn’t depend upon me working 24/7, I can take that point off with out every part falling aside. That’s the great factor about on-line revenue – you may set it as much as help the life you need.

And that life contains lengthy summer season days, sluggish mornings, and extra time with the folks I really like.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Construct additional buffer time into your calendar. Don’t schedule each hour – depart area for sudden plans, household time, or simply relaxation.
• Have backup content material prepared. Write 1–2 additional weblog posts or emails now that you should utilize later in case you want a break.
• Use instruments that make it simple to pause. Instruments like Package, WordPress scheduling, and social schedulers allow you to plan forward – but additionally cease or reschedule content material if wanted.
• Give your self permission to take a full day (or week) off. Your enterprise gained’t crumble in case you step away – particularly in case you’ve prepped prematurely.
• Revisit your priorities weekly. What felt necessary in Could won’t matter in July. So, be ready to regulate your targets based mostly on what your life wants that week.

How I Plan On Working as Little as Doable Over the Summer time (Whereas Nonetheless Making Cash) – Abstract

I hope you loved my article on how I plan on working as little as doable whereas nonetheless being profitable.

Working much less this summer season doesn’t imply I care much less about my enterprise. In truth, it means I’ve set it as much as help me in the easiest way doable.

By planning forward, batching duties, outsourcing, and incomes semi-passive revenue, I’m creating time to take pleasure in life exterior of labor – and nonetheless earn an revenue whereas doing it.

Whether or not you’re a blogger, entrepreneur, or simply somebody trying to step again slightly, I hope my article reveals you that it’s doable to work much less and stay extra.

For me, I’m hoping to spend my days mountaineering, occurring journeys, and simply having fun with the times as they arrive.

Should you’re planning to take break day or work much less this summer season, I’d love to listen to what you’re doing to make that occur.

Do you prefer to take breaks all year long? Presumably for a trip? Inform me your plans within the feedback beneath!

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