Sometimes I wish there were a few more hours in the day, and it seems I’m not alone in this want as there are a lot of other people out there also working ‘for the man’ while at the same time trying to establish their own business – whether that’s a blog, online or offline business – but unfortunately I don’t think this cosmic shift will occur anytime soon, so I believe it’s really about managing your time well, being extremely organised and saying goodbye once and for all to procrastination.
Since I started this blog at the start of 2011 I’ve found it increasingly easier to juggle full-time work around my own goals, as well as being in a committed relationship and maintaining a social life – and that’s with me spending a few hours most days on my own businesses – trust me it can be done! I’ve learnt not only to prioritise, self motivate and organise, but also to remember that I’m not superwoman and that sometimes I too need a break.
Here is what I’ve learnt about fitting your location independent goals around your current lifestyle – these lessons have allowed me to grow my blog in only a few short months, so I know they will work for you too!
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of The List
If you’re not currently a list writer then you need to become one now! While having a million lists on the go can be counter productive, if you can plan your day, week and month on an online calendar or notebook then you will feel a lot less overwhelmed by what you need to get done.
I typically have a list that I write at the beginning of each week, and then break it down further into what I want to achieve each day. It makes me feel a lot less stressed this way and it’s a great feeling once you’ve crossed off your last task at the end of each day.
Prioritise And Follow The 80/20 Rule
When things get hectic at work and your own goals start to take a back seat then it’s time to prioritise. While you may have a long list, what you really need to do is get to the bottom of what matters most right now and what can wait.
I try to stick to the 
Be A ‘Marathon Runner’
Try to think of reaching your goals as finishing a marathon, rather than a sprint – that way you wont burn out within the first few months and you won’t feel disappointed if you fail to see life changing results right away. These things take time so keep your long-term strategy in the back of your head and just keep going!
I hope that with these tips you will feel more in control of your week and better able to give yourself some time off when you need it. Happy list making!
Photo Credits – Thanks to ReneS and jurvetson (Attribution License)
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I totally agree with you about lists! I have a lot of websites and things I am juggling and the only way to stay focused is to make sure I prioritise each day and have a list of things that I need to do.
Thanks Sarah! Long live the list! : )
I just woke up from a nap and this was the first thing to pop up on my twitter feed. Dang talk about perfect timing! I made up my mind a few weeks or so ago to work on becoming location independent around a very demanding 9-5. This was a perfect little nudge of “you can do it” that I needed today! Thanks for that 🙂
Thanks Josh! Glad it was helpful…all the best for your plans, let me know how you get on!