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It’s kind of funny to me that I up and decided to write a post on how to blog efficiently, especially since I didn’t post but once last week. Ha! While I do get a lot of things done, other things usually are simultaneously slipping through the cracks. But, I have found some tools that are very helpful for me and I thought I’d share them with you!
Some of these can be applied to anyone who works from home and is trying to be productive!
1. Have a designated office space.
For the first year of blogging, I mostly blogged from my couch. At one point I made my dining room my “office”, but it was too out in the middle of the house. I needed a room where I could close the door if needed. And I could walk away and keep my work in the room.
It’s hard to work from home, but this set-up helps a ton. I find that I am so much more productive when I am in my designated space and not sitting in front of the TV.
When we moved into this house 2 years ago, I started with my office in the guest room. And now it’s there again. The set-up works perfectly for my needs and I love having my desk look out the window. I’m hoping to makeover this room this year. The inspiration board is in the works! But until then, be sure to check out my Pinterest board for more office inspiration. 🙂
Follow The Turquoise Home’s board Office on Pinterest.
2. Use a great planner. I have two.
The Daily Designer by Whitney English – Even thought I don’t plan out each and every single hourly increment in my Daily Designer, I still use it to plan out my day. I’ve found that I get less overwhelmed by the to-do list in my head when I write it down. And I tend to remember to do the things I need to do when I’ve emptied out the extra contents and have allowed myself to think again. LOVE it!
{Note: the monthly tabs don’t come with The Day Designer. I bought them from Emily Ley’s shop** and applied them myself.}
I adore the “daily gratitude” section, and where I can jot down what I plan for dinner. If nothing else, it just makes me think about it before 5 o’clock. And this helps me to remember to set out chicken to thaw or other ingredients that need to be prepped in advance.
Blogger Planner from Mama Miss – I love this second blogging planner because it helps me keep my social media management under control. Well, as under control as it can possibly be. As a blogger, social media can just be plain crazy. So, I love the “daily blog maintenance” page. It’s better than just trying to keep track of it all in my head. I also think having a schedule and plan will help me someday when I hire an assistant to do it all for me. 🙂 I can just train her in my system and she can take over. Fingers-crossed!
When you click on the blogger planner link above, Melissa will tell you all about how to download the printable and get it bound at Staples. {She is a genius, and suggests adding a clear sheet over the daily maintenance page. That way you can check off every item each day and then wipe it clean for tomorrow!} I followed her instructions and for less than $15, I had a beautiful blog planner that I love!
3. Create office hours.
It was hard for me to set office hours when I blogged from the couch or the dining room. The lines were too blurred between home and work life. And for a while when this was just a hobby, that was OK, I guess. But now I must schedule my time behind the computer screen. Otherwise it has the potential to take over every hour of my day.
My normal weekly work schedule looks like this:
During preschool: 9:30-12:45 {two days a week}
Nap times: 2-5 {Don’t be jealous because I have a three-year-old who is the greatest napper ever!}
Night: 9-midnight {In the past I would frequently work until 3 in the morning, but I’ve decided that sleep and my health is more important than almost any blog post.}
Weekly total: 36.5 hours
Now, I don’t always work constantly during those times. I’ll get up and make lunch or dinner, or change out a load of laundry.
A lot of my time while Miss A is in preschool is spent shopping for projects or buying home decor items. It’s so much easier to accomplish while she’s not with me. 🙂 I work on most of my projects and take photos of them during the nap time hours, since I have to be at home and the outdoor light is pretty good. And then I write and edit photos in the evening.
4. Have pretty organization.
I know pretty may seem trivial to some, but to me it is a necessity! If I’m going to stay organized, it’s going to need to be cute. Can I get an amen??
I need pops of color to keep me smiling and being productive. I fell in love with the See Jane Work line at Office Depot. They have so many pretty products, I kind of want them all!
Their decorative file folders are one of my favorite products. I keep a handful on my desk for every-day filing. In The Turquoise Home file, I’ll toss bank statements, receipts or contracts, just to keep them in one place. And about once a month I’ll go through and actually log them into the computer, scan them or even file in my larger file folder. It’s a great way to keep the piles off my desk or kitchen counter. I also have folders labeled “to pay,” “to file,” and “to do.”
The pretty floral pen cup holds my favorite pink poppin pens. {Say that ten times fast.} And their fabulous inbox trays keep me knowing what’s coming and what’s going.
Organizing is so much more fun when it’s pretty!
5. Bonus Tip
And if you’re like me, then you need a little extra reminder that it’s not about perfection.** {P.S. It’s hard to take a picture of gold foil. Just in case you were wondering.}
Final Thoughts
I by no means have it all figured out. Like I said above, there’s always something falling through the cracks at any given moment, but these four tips are what helps me attempt to keep it all straight. There are days and weeks when I take a nap during Miss A’s nap time. Or I go meet a friend for coffee during preschool. That’s one thing I love about this job {that is so much fun and doesn’t feel like work}! I am my own boss and I make my own schedule. 🙂
Do you have an tips for being an efficient blogger or telecommuter? Please share!!
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**The items from Emily Ley are so cute. Find them in her shop: Notepads, Art Prints, Simplified Planners and accessories.
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Michelle @ Esculent Dreams says
Such wonderful tips, especially the part about office hours! I find that to be my greatest blogging challenge…. it’s so difficult to pry myself away from the computer screen sometimes. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Michelle @ Moms Are Frugal says
I really enjoyed your tips especially the one about setting your own hours. I blog when I can and that is not working so I am going to try to schedule it a little better. I don’t think I would stay up either to do a blog post until 3:00 am. Sleep is very important.
Laura says
You’re so right – sleep IS very important. I’ve been making it more of a priority and feel so much better!
Blair @ The Seasoned Mom says
Great post! Thanks for sharing your routine. I’m glad to have found your blog!
Laura says
Thanks so much, Blair! I’m so glad you’re here!!
Selene Galindo says
Awesome tips!! I especially like the one about having a designated work space! That has helped me tremendously!!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Katie says
Great suggestions and reminders, thanks! (Seen on Inspiration Monday.)
Emily @ My Love for Words says
Great tips! I need to work on setting and keeping office hours. Blogging can definitely take over a lot of time if allowed.
Laura says
It can totally take over your life!
Sarah says
I need to act on some of your tips! I was doing great for a while, managing my blog and business from home during designated hours (preschool and nap time are my faves)…then the new baby came. I am pinning this to look back at in a couple months when hopefully I can be more efficient. Thanks for sharing.
Robin @ TheDesigNest says
You are right, pretty colors works for me too. If it looks clean & pretty, it makes me want to work in that space. I love that blog planner. I’m going to have to check that out. Thanks for your tips, it’s definitely something I need to work on. ;)s
Abbi says
I love this! I can not wait until me and the sweetheart find our “nest” so I can finally create an actual work space! Its hard to feel like you’re getting anything accomplished when all your stuff is spread out everywhere.
Laura says
So true, Abbi! Good luck on finding your “nest!”
Katie N says
Thanks so much for this great post! I am a blogging newbie, and it’s nice to read about other people’s experiences. We saved up and bought a cutie desk at Target for my blogging endeavors, and it’s nice to have that designated spot. We are still working on formatting my blog (and it’s getting rather frustrating! Any tips would be appreciated! LOL) so I didn’t include my link here. However, I will make sure to follow you on social media! Your blog is adorable! 🙂
Laura says
Thank you, Katie. You’re too sweet. I did my own formatting on the blog for about a year {or less} and then finally hired someone to do it for me. best money ever! I say hire it out! 🙂 The girl who designed mine originally on blogger isn’t designing anymore, but there are tons out there who do.
Krista says
Great tip about “office hours” Laura – I find this especially hard with also working outside the home… I’m glad to hear it’s not just me! I have moved my computer back to my craft room to help with this separation!
Laura says
Girl, I don’t even know how to have small kids, work outside the home AND blog?!? You amaze me!
Catherine Reed says
I second Andera! Link for the notepad, please!! 🙂
Laura says
Oh, I wish I could give it to you! It was from Emily Ley’s shop, but she doesn’t sell it anymore, unfortunately. 🙁
Cathryne says
Thank you so much for sharing this post! It is so exactly what I needed! I am going to try to implement most of these asap & the printable calendar is adorable. Will be getting that too! Thanks again!
Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says
This is fabulous, Laura. And it’s neat hearing how other bloggers do it. I definitely need to work on having an office space. Right now, it’s the couch or living room floor and it quickly becomes a mess, both literally and in my head. I have a roll-top desk just waiting to be painted and claimed as my own. Might have to bump that DIY up sooner so I can be more efficient FAST! Thanks for the tips and tricks.
Laura says
Oh, I’ve always wanted a roll-top desk or a secretary desk! But for now, my old college Target desk will do. I truly find that I am more efficient in the office, sitting at the desk. So much less likely to browse on Pinterest or Facebook for hours at a time. 🙂
Amy W says
Great tips, thanks for sharing with us!
Laura @ the experimental home says
I need to work on this. I have a bad habit of blogging in bed! That also means I need to clean up my office/craft room! Tha
Baka for writing what I need to read.
Laura says
Hmm, yes, I’ve been a blogger in bed before. 🙂 And sometimes I still do if I have to get up early and work on something. I’ll grab a cup of coffee and prop myself up on some pillows. But, I really am more productive in the office, I’ve found.
Heather {Woods of Bell Trees} says
My dear this is just what I needed! My life is turning into a piece of messy ombre artwork and I need to draw some lines before the blog takes over. I was trying to get away with not buying a planner (Mr. Krabs anyone?) but I know I need one and I am going to look into these. Thank you for helping a gal put her life back on the tracks so I can move full steam ahead! 😀
Laura says
Oh, I’m so glad this was helpful, Heather. I love the blogger planner if you wanted to start with something small. The daily planner is a little more expensive, but helps me keep my to do list in check {most of the time}. I still forget this from time-to-time. Like this week I totally missed a dinner. Oops!
Amber says
I love these easy ideas! I’m super inefficient with my tiny blog but hoping to get better. 🙂
~Amber
andrea says
where did you get your notepad with all the pretty post it flags? I’ve been looking for something like this for ages and I love yours!
Laura says
It was from Emily Ley’s shop, but she doesn’t sell it anymore, unfortunately. 🙁
Kate from Plush Rugs says
I agree with you, its mandatory to have an office environment to keep the things on right track.