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

This summer time, I’m planning to work as little as potential – and I’m actually trying ahead to it.

I’ve spent years constructing a enterprise that offers 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 like running a blog and serving to others, however I additionally need to be current for the enjoyable moments – particularly throughout the summer time when my household and I are out exploring, touring, and having fun with life (summer time 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 type of flexibility is feasible. With some planning, methods, and the suitable earnings streams in place, you possibly can work much less and nonetheless earn a superb earnings.

And whereas I’m sharing this from the angle of a full-time blogger, the following pointers might be useful for freelancers, small enterprise homeowners, content material creators, course sellers, and extra. When you run any form 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 time – 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 potential however nonetheless earn cash. I don’t anticipate my earnings to go down in any respect – I really anticipate 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 train you learn how to begin a weblog, from the technical facet to incomes your first earnings and attracting readers. Over 80,000 folks have taken my free course!

1. Working forward now to create respiration 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 variety of my content material prematurely, and I’m persevering with to remain forward so I can step away with out stress. As a substitute 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), Equipment for my electronic mail newsletters and funnels, and the Pinterest scheduler to verify every little thing continues operating whereas I’m offline.

I’m additionally engaged on all of these massive image duties which were build up for the final 12 months. 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 serious 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 massive issues like this proper now could be nice as a result of they’ll take up a variety of time, so I’d somewhat do it now than later. I’d somewhat my summer time 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 mountain climbing with my household or stress-free 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 put up matters, electronic 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 employ in your electronic mail device), 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.
• Decide 2–3 massive initiatives to finish now. Select issues that require a lot of time or brainpower and end them earlier than summer time begins.
• Create templates for recurring content material. This may very well be publication codecs, weblog put up buildings, or social media captions to make future content material sooner to create.
• Audit your affiliate hyperlinks and adverts. Replace them now so that they’re working for you all summer time lengthy.

2. Batch work

Batch working is likely 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 a substitute of switching forwards and backwards between completely different duties, I deal with one factor at a time. I would spend a complete day simply writing weblog posts or a number of hours solely engaged on electronic mail newsletters.

This helps me keep targeted, keep away from distractions, and create higher work – sooner. And since I’m grouping related duties collectively, I don’t waste time switching gears or attempting 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 after I’m working and revel in private time after 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 potential in a single class (like writing or designing).
• Group duties by sort. For instance, batch all writing duties on Mondays, photograph modifying 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 put up or making a Pinterest graphic can pace issues up and ensure nothing is missed. Though I’ve been running a blog for a few years, I nonetheless have a guidelines that I take 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 unexpectedly – breaking it into clear phases.
• Document or define a number of movies or reels in a single session. Even in case you’re not filming in bulk, getting ready concepts in batches helps you keep forward.
• Batch your electronic 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 might be grouped collectively so that they don’t interrupt your work move.

3. Outsourcing what I don’t must do

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

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

When you’re not prepared to rent a crew, even outsourcing only one factor will help. For instance, you may 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 like – and that’s what summer time 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 may very well 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!
• Check with a small venture first. Earlier than hiring somebody long-term, give them one particular job and see how they do (and see in case you’re glad).
• Set a finances and stick with it. Even $100 to $200 a month can release hours of your time and cut back burnout.
• Outsource private duties too. If work assist isn’t within the finances but, it’s possible you’ll be taken with hiring a cleaner, grocery supply, or a part-time babysitter – all of it helps your small business not directly.

4. Incomes with semi-passive earnings streams

That is the largest motive I’m capable of step away from work and nonetheless earn cash: semi-passive earnings.

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

As a result of I’ve already executed the arduous work of making content material and constructing belief with my viewers, I don’t should be continuously on-line to earn cash. That’s the ability of passive earnings, it retains working for you lengthy after you’ve executed the work.

When you’re simply getting began with a weblog, you possibly can deal with 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 imagine in, and assume long-term. Semi-passive earnings builds slowly, however as soon as it’s rolling, it could possibly assist your life-style in an enormous manner.

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 critiques. All these posts normally convert nicely and are nice for website positioning too.
• Use affiliate hyperlinks in your electronic mail funnel. If somebody indicators up in your freebie or publication, ship them to useful sources that additionally earn you earnings.
• Concentrate on evergreen content material. Write weblog posts round matters that might be looked for all 12 months lengthy (like learn how to finances, learn how to plan a household trip, learn how to be more healthy, and so on.).
• Observe 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 previous 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 electronic mail publication.

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

Additionally, in case you are taken with how I earn cash 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.

Over time, I’ve written hundreds of weblog posts, emails, and social media updates. Many of those are nonetheless helpful and related at the moment. So throughout the summer time, I plan to refresh and reshare a few of my older content material.

This may 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 admire a reminder. Repurposing saves time and retains your message constant.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Decide 5 previous 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 information. This retains your content material recent and improves consumer expertise (and conversions).
• Flip weblog posts into short-form video or reels. Break a put up into 3–5 ideas and file a fast Instagram reel or TikTok.
• Create Instagram carousels or Pinterest graphics from previous content material. Use Canva templates to hurry up the design course of.
• Flip previous weblog posts into electronic mail newsletters. Pull out highlights or ideas and ship them to your record with a private notice.
• Create a “Better of” weblog put up roundup. For instance, “10 Most Common Aspect Hustles” and embody inner hyperlinks.

6. Setting clear work boundaries

Some of the necessary issues I’m doing this summer time is defending my time.

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

This may imply turning down sure initiatives, delaying some concepts, and even taking a break from my electronic mail inbox. I’ve realized that I don’t should say “sure” to every little thing – particularly if it means sacrificing time with my household or stress-free.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Select your weekly work hours and stick 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 in your electronic mail. Let folks know you’re working restricted hours and once 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, electronic mail, and social media once you’re off the clock.
• Set boundaries with purchasers, manufacturers, or collaborators. Allow them to know your summer time schedule forward of time so there aren’t any surprises.
• Preserve a operating “later” record. Write down concepts and duties that pop up so that you don’t really feel strain to deal with them instantly. 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 examine in continuously or distracts out of your time without work.
• Share your objectives with your loved ones or associate. 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

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

So I’m specializing in duties that want me proper then. For me, this may 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 is perhaps writing weblog posts, sending emails, or optimizing affiliate hyperlinks – deal with these first.
• Use the 80/20 rule. Ask your self: “What 20% of my duties usher in 80% of my outcomes?” Do extra of these, and fewer of every little thing 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.
• Observe the place your time goes. For one week, write down what you’re engaged on and the way lengthy it takes. You is perhaps shocked what’s not really serving to your small business 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 must be executed earlier than your break.

8. Utilizing ChatGPT to brainstorm and save time

One device 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 subject concepts, write outlines, give you topic strains 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 sooner. It’s like having a brainstorming associate out there 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 after I want it most.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Ask ChatGPT to brainstorm weblog put up subject concepts in your area of interest. For instance, I just lately 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 previous weblog posts after which ask: “Are you able to define a put up in my model titled ‘10 Straightforward Methods To Save Cash On Groceries’?”
• Have it draft social media captions. Copy/paste a part of your weblog put up and say: “Flip this into 3 Instagram captions in my voice.”
• Flip previous weblog content material into electronic mail newsletters. Paste a weblog put up and say: “Summarize this into a brief, pleasant electronic mail with a call-to-action.”
• Use it to write down Pinterest pin descriptions. Ask: “Write a keyword-rich Pinterest description for a put up about finances journey ideas.”
• Use ChatGPT to research 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 small business, 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 assume ChatGPT can save me time?” or “I run a enterprise the place I plan journey for {couples}. How do you assume 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 need to say – I by no means simply take what ChatGPT says and publish it. I’m closely modifying it and ensuring the knowledge is appropriate. I exploit it as an on-demand assistant device for after 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 time, and that’s okay. I like what I do, so that’s utterly fantastic!

This is the reason I construct in flexibility. Some weeks I would 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 rely on me working 24/7, I can take that point off with out every little thing falling aside. That’s the good factor about on-line earnings – you possibly can set it as much as assist the life you need.

And that life consists of lengthy summer time days, sluggish mornings, and extra time with the folks I like.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Construct additional buffer time into your calendar. Don’t schedule each hour – go away 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 need to use later in case you 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 additionally cease or reschedule content material if wanted.
• Give your self permission to take a full day (or week) off. Your corporation gained’t crumble in case you step away – particularly in case you’ve prepped prematurely.
• Revisit your priorities weekly. What felt necessary in Might won’t 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 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 potential whereas nonetheless getting cash.

Working much less this summer time doesn’t imply I care much less about my enterprise. The truth is, it means I’ve set it as much as assist me in one of the simplest ways potential.

By planning forward, batching duties, outsourcing, and incomes semi-passive earnings, I’m creating time to take pleasure in life exterior 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 slightly, I hope my article exhibits you that it’s potential to work much less and stay extra.

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

When you’re planning to take time without work or work much less this summer time, I’d love to listen to what you’re doing to make that occur.

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

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