How I’m Working Only a Few Hours a Week This Summer season (And Nonetheless Incomes Full-Time Earnings)

This summer season, I’m planning to work as little as attainable – and I’m actually trying 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 need to be current for the enjoyable moments – particularly through 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 need 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 need to present you that this sort of flexibility is feasible. With some planning, methods, and the best earnings streams in place, you possibly can work much less and nonetheless earn a great earnings.

And whereas I’m sharing this from the angle of a full-time blogger, the following tips could be useful for freelancers, small enterprise homeowners, content material creators, course sellers, and extra. For those who run any type 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 go away, 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 Potential Over the Summer season (Whereas Nonetheless Making Cash)

Right here’s how I plan on working as little as attainable however nonetheless generate profits. I don’t count on my earnings to go down in any respect – I truly count on it to go up!

P.S. I like to recommend becoming a member of my How To Begin A Weblog FREE Course. On this free course, I educate you tips on how to begin a weblog, from the technical facet to incomes your first earnings and attracting readers. Over 80,000 individuals have taken my free course!

1. Working forward now to create respiratory room later

Proper now, I’m placing in further effort in order that I don’t need to work a lot later.

This implies I’m writing weblog posts, emails, and social media content material prematurely. I’ve already scheduled quite a 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 publish scheduling (each WordPress weblog has this), Equipment for my e mail newsletters and funnels, and the Pinterest scheduler to verify all the pieces continues working whereas I’m offline.

I’m additionally engaged on all of these huge image duties which have been build up 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 desirous about 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 quite a lot of time, so I’d quite do it now than later. I’d quite my summer season be stuffed 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 subsequent 3–4 months. Take into consideration weblog publish 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, Equipment (or no matter you utilize on your e mail instrument), and Pinterest schedulers to automate your publishing.
• Determine and deal with 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 on.
• Choose 2–3 huge tasks to finish now. Select issues that require a number 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 publish buildings, or social media captions to make future content material sooner 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 likely one of the greatest methods to avoid wasting time and get extra accomplished.

I’ve been doing this for years, and it’s actually a recreation 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 give attention to one factor at a time. I’d spend a complete day simply writing weblog posts or just a few hours solely engaged on e mail newsletters.

This helps me keep targeted, keep away from distractions, and create higher work – sooner. And since I’m grouping comparable 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 targeted batch work. These are your deep work days the place you knock out as a lot as attainable in a single class (like writing or designing).
• Group duties by sort. For instance, batch all writing duties on Mondays, picture enhancing on Tuesdays, and Pinterest pin creation on Wednesdays.
• Use a timer to remain targeted. Strive working in 25- or 45-minute blocks with brief breaks in between (Pomodoro model).
• Create checklists for repeat duties. For instance, a guidelines for writing a weblog publish 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 directly, then write drafts the subsequent day, then edit abruptly – breaking it into clear levels.
• Document or define a number of movies or reels in a single session. Even for those who’re not filming in bulk, getting ready concepts in batches helps you keep forward.
• Batch your e mail advertising. Plan and schedule your weekly or month-to-month emails multi functional go, utilizing earlier content material as inspiration.
• Batch private duties too. Grocery purchasing, appointment scheduling, and different life to-dos could be grouped collectively in order that they don’t interrupt your work move.

3. Outsourcing what I don’t have to do

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

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

For those who’re not prepared to rent a group, even outsourcing only one factor can assist. For instance, you would possibly rent somebody to edit your weblog posts, repurpose your content material, or assist with graphics.

Delegating duties offers 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 a listing 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 customary working process. Doc the way you need one thing accomplished with a brief Loom video or Google Doc – it doesn’t need to be fancy!
• Take a look at with a small venture first. Earlier than hiring somebody long-term, give them one particular job and see how they do (and see for those who’re glad).
• Set a funds and persist with it. Even $100 to $200 a month can unlock hours of your time and scale back burnout.
• Outsource private duties too. If work assist isn’t within the funds but, chances are you’ll be serious about hiring a cleaner, grocery supply, or a part-time babysitter – all of it helps your enterprise not directly.

4. Incomes with semi-passive earnings streams

That is the most important purpose I’m in a position to step away from work and nonetheless earn cash: semi-passive earnings.

My most important supply of passive earnings is internet online affiliate marketing. I’ve constructed up a library of weblog posts (I’ve written over 2,000 weblog posts through the years) that herald affiliate earnings day-after-day – whether or not I’m working or not. I’ve additionally created programs that promote on their very own by means of e mail funnels, weblog posts, and associates.

As a result of I’ve already accomplished the laborious work of making content material and constructing belief with my viewers, I don’t need to be continually on-line to generate profits. That’s the facility of passive earnings, it retains working for you lengthy after you’ve accomplished the work.

For those who’re simply getting began with a weblog, you possibly can give attention to creating useful evergreen content material and constructing site visitors to these posts to do the identical. After all, just remember to promote merchandise you actually imagine in, and suppose long-term. Semi-passive earnings builds slowly, however as soon as it’s rolling, it could possibly help your life-style in a giant method.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Replace older weblog posts with contemporary 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 opinions. A lot of these posts often convert nicely and are nice for website positioning too.
• Use affiliate hyperlinks in your e mail funnel. If somebody indicators up on your freebie or e-newsletter, ship them to useful sources that additionally earn you earnings.
• Give attention to evergreen content material. Write weblog posts round subjects that might be looked for all yr lengthy (like tips on how to funds, tips on how to plan a household trip, tips on how to be more healthy, and so on.).
• 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 publish right into a weblog publish or flip a weblog publish into an e mail e-newsletter.

You may study extra about my internet online affiliate marketing methods in my course, Making Sense of Affiliate Advertising and marketing. This course teaches how I’ve remodeled $2,000,000 with internet online affiliate marketing through the years!

Additionally, if you’re serious about how I generate profits 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 at all times have to reinvent the wheel.

Over time, I’ve written hundreds of weblog posts, emails, and social media updates. Many of those are nonetheless precious and related at this time. So through 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 preferred publish into an Instagram carousel. I’ll additionally schedule evergreen emails to exit to my checklist – ones which have carried out nicely previously and nonetheless have a number of worth however are up to date.

Most readers haven’t seen all of your content material, and even when they’ve, they generally admire 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 widespread reader questions.
• Replace affiliate hyperlinks, pictures, and outdated data. This retains your content material contemporary and improves person expertise (and conversions).
• Flip weblog posts into short-form video or reels. Break a publish into 3–5 ideas and report 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 ideas and ship them to your checklist with a private word.
• Create a “Better of” weblog publish roundup. For instance, “10 Most Widespread Facet Hustles” and embrace inside hyperlinks.

6. Setting clear work boundaries

One of the crucial vital 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 possible work only a few hours per week, principally 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 tasks, delaying some concepts, and even taking a break from my e mail inbox. I’ve realized that I don’t need to say “sure” to all the pieces – 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 persist 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 “only one other thing.”
• Create an autoresponder on your e mail. Let individuals know you’re working restricted hours and after they can count on a reply. I don’t plan on doing this, however this can be a good suggestion for others.
• Flip off notifications outdoors of labor time. Silence apps like Slack, e mail, and social media once 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 are not any surprises.
• Preserve a working “later” checklist. Write down concepts and duties that pop up so that you don’t really feel stress to deal with them straight away. I have already got moved some duties to the autumn as a result of I don’t suppose they’re vital sufficient to do proper now.
• Delete or pause pointless apps. Take away something that will get you to test in continually or distracts out of your day without work.
• Share your objectives with your loved ones or companion. Allow them to know once you’re working and once you’re absolutely off – to allow them to assist maintain you to it.

7. Specializing in high-impact duties solely

Once I do work, I need it to rely.

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 checklist, 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 high income-generating duties. These may be writing weblog posts, sending emails, or optimizing affiliate hyperlinks – give attention to these first.
• Use the 80/20 rule. Ask your self: “What 20% of my duties herald 80% of my outcomes?” Do extra of these, and fewer of all the pieces 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 have to 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 stunned 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 tasks. It’s okay to avoid wasting concepts for later – they don’t all should be accomplished earlier than your break.

8. Utilizing ChatGPT to brainstorm and save time

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

I exploit it to assist brainstorm weblog publish matter concepts, write outlines, give you topic traces for emails, and even draft social media captions. If I’m caught or simply want a contemporary view on one thing, ChatGPT helps me transfer ahead sooner. It’s like having a brainstorming companion out there on a regular basis.

This doesn’t imply I don’t add my private contact – I at all times, 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 publish matter concepts in your area of interest. For instance, I lately fed all of my most up-to-date articles which have gone viral and requested ChatGPT to brainstorm extra article concepts which are comparable.
• Use it to create outlines earlier than writing. You may feed ChatGPT a bunch of your outdated weblog posts after which ask: “Are you able to define a publish in my model titled ‘10 Simple Methods To Save Cash On Groceries’?”
• Have it draft social media captions. Copy/paste a part of your weblog publish and say: “Flip this into 3 Instagram captions in my voice.”
• Flip outdated weblog content material into e mail newsletters. Paste a weblog publish and say: “Summarize this into a brief, pleasant e mail with a call-to-action.”
• Use it to write down Pinterest pin descriptions. Ask: “Write a keyword-rich Pinterest description for a publish about funds journey ideas.”
• Use ChatGPT to investigate your previous posts on Fb, research your model, and give you lots 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 possibly prevent time. For instance, you possibly can ask: “I run Makingsenseofcents.com. How do you suppose ChatGPT can save me time?” or “I run a enterprise the place I plan journey for {couples}. How do you suppose ChatGPT can save me time?” I simply requested each of those questions and it gave me a bunch of concepts I didn’t even checklist above!

Now, I do need to say – I by no means simply take what ChatGPT says and publish it. I’m closely enhancing it and ensuring the data is appropriate. I exploit it as an on-demand assistant instrument for once I need 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 fully high quality!

This is the reason I construct in flexibility. Some weeks I’d work somewhat extra and different weeks by no means. I don’t plan on working 0 hours per week for 3 months straight.

As a result of I’ve constructed a enterprise that doesn’t rely upon me working 24/7, I can take that point off with out all the pieces falling aside. That’s the good factor about on-line earnings – you possibly can 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 individuals I really like.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Construct further buffer time into your calendar. Don’t schedule each hour – go away house for sudden plans, household time, or simply relaxation.
• Have backup content material prepared. Write 1–2 further weblog posts or emails now that you need to use later for those who want a break.
• Use instruments that make it straightforward to pause. Instruments like Equipment, WordPress scheduling, and social schedulers allow you to plan forward – but in addition cease or reschedule content material if wanted.
• Give your self permission to take a full day (or week) off. Your online business received’t collapse for those who step away – particularly for those who’ve prepped prematurely.
• Revisit your priorities weekly. What felt vital in Could may not matter in July. So, be ready to regulate your objectives primarily based on what your life wants that week.

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

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

Working much less this summer season doesn’t imply I care much less about my enterprise. In actual fact, it means I’ve set it as much as help me in one of the simplest ways attainable.

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

Whether or not you’re a blogger, entrepreneur, or simply somebody trying to step again somewhat, I hope my article exhibits you that it’s attainable to work much less and dwell extra.

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

For those who’re planning to take day without work 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? Probably for a trip? Inform me your plans within the feedback beneath!

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