We have the same 24 hours in the day as Beyoncé. However, we do not have the same personal assistants, private chefs, housemaids, personal trainers and possé that Beyoncé has so don’t expect to get as much done as Beyoncé does.
However, when it comes to blogging, university, assignments, part-time work, socialising so much and somehow finding the time to shower, eat and sleep among those, I always get asked how on earth I find the time to do it all – especially the blogging part.
I had been planning on writing a post about finding the time to blog and about time management since I do get asked about it quite a lot and when Marcel and Stephen mentioned it during their #CommsSchool lesson, I thought I may as well hand in some homework.
Time waits for no one, and the time you are spending reading this, is time you will never get back. Sorry to tell you that – I hope it’s worth it! Time is probably the most valuable thing that we have, and it’s what we decide to do with that time that ultimately matters. So don’t waste your time worrying about things out of your control, don’t spend time on things that you don’t like doing and don’t spend your time doing nothing at all and being wasteful.
Right at this very moment, someone is spending their last minutes on this earth and a baby is spending their first. You are currently in between those times, so don’t take one minute of it for granted. Your time is your own, so spend it your way. I’m just going to give you some tips on time management and tell you how I spend my time while managing to get as much done as possible – especially where blogging is concerned.
1. Prioritise
Your priorities matter a heck of a lot when it comes to managing your time. What you will spend your time doing is the things that you prioritise most. If you prioritise watching Netflix over your assignment, that’s what you’ll spend your time doing. If you prioritise sleep over going to the gym, that’s what you’ll spend your time doing.
Learning to manage your time is learning to be disciplined. It’s knowing that spending time watching Netflix will not help the writing of your assignment and it’s knowing that spending time sleeping will not help your progress in the gym. Being disciplined is saying ‘No’ to watching Netflix and forcing yourself to get out of bed even when you don’t feel like it.
Don’t get me wrong, there are days when I know that I just need to watch Netflix in bed instead of writing or doing my assignment and I listen to myself. As long as I know that I need the rest and will get back to my motivated self at the start of the week.
Make a list of what your priorities are (that don’t involve things you can’t control like university classes and work) and see where you could fit in those extra things that you want to achieve, whether that’s blogging, reading or working on your fitness.
2. Every minute counts
I’ve learned to change things up a little from what I used to do and I’ve found that I achieve more by changing some habits and just doing things a little differently.
I used to say that I never had the time to read, but now I read during my commute to and from work. It may only be fifteen minutes there and back but it’s fifteen extra minutes of reading and fifteen minutes less of scrolling on my phone. Knowing that I only spend this time reading, I have vowed to try and read 12 books in 12 months which I think is achievable for me time-wise. I’m currently ahead of schedule having read four and am currently at the beginning of my fifth in only month three. (You can find out more on my Instagram highlights reel or read my reviews of the first five books right here.)
This might be a bit of an odd one, but I used to come home from work and catch up on my phone whilst sitting in my armchair. I’d usually be sat there for an hour, catching up on Instagram stories and posts, Snapchat stories, my Twitter feed, emails and Facebook feed. Now? I still spend the same hour catching up on my phone, but I walk around my flat while doing it. Yes, I do laps of my flat to get my steps up while I’m on social media. I’m increasing my step count for the day while still catching up on everything I’ve missed online. You think weird? I think genius.
It’s little moments like these, like your commute to work, or the half hour you lay in bed before getting up or when waiting for your dinner to cook, is when you could be using your time more wisely and doing something to benefit another aspect of your life. So be like me and do laps of your house while checking in on social media – I just wouldn’t advise walking in a public space with your head buried in your phone.
3. Plan, plan, plan
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. That’s a saying that I usually roll my eyes at since the only time I ever hear it is when I’ve usually failed to prepare for something. But it really is true. Plan your day, week or month ahead and there will be no reason for you to fail at getting everything done.
Every Sunday I plan my week ahead. I add in university classes, my part-time job and any other commitments I have that week. After that, I assess what free time I have and where I can slot in things like uni work, blog writing and socialising. Sometimes I even plan my days down to the hour. I’m no Mark Wahlberg getting up at 4am to exercise but I do try and account for every hour of my day. That includes adding in time to shower, watch TV and catch up on social media.
Know when you will be busy and know when you can use your spare time to your benefit. Stop using phrases like, ‘I’m too busy,’ and ‘I haven’t got time,’ – everyone has time, it just depends on how you want to spend yours and what you prioritise.
4. Finding the time to blog
This is the one I get asked about most. Where on earth do I find the time to blog two-three times per week?! Well, this is what I tell people:
I live and breathe my blog. I’m currently sat in my university library writing this post when I should probably be finishing my assignment. But I want to post this blog tomorrow (Monday) so I’m putting in the time today so that I can hand my assignment in tomorrow. In the evenings, you’ll usually find me on my blog, right up until I’m going to sleep. On my days off and at the weekends, I’ll spend a lot of time on my blog.
As I have a posting schedule of Wednesdays and Fridays that I try and stick to (with the occasional Monday post), I will tend to write my Wednesday post on Tuesday or the Wednesday itself and then write my Friday Five post on Thursday evening. When I’m not writing my scheduled day posts, I’ll be drafting future posts. This is something I spend a lot of time doing.
I often find that I can’t write too many posts in advance as I need to be inspired or read something that week in order to write. Although, when I’m hit with a wave of inspiration, I’ll sit and write a post that I know I can publish when I have no other ideas for that week.
I spend all of my spare time on my blog because I want to and because I love it. I love having my own space on the internet and adding content to it daily. I love watching it grow, checking my stats and seeing what people are reading when they come to my blog. I love engaging with other bloggers and readers on Twitter and Instagram and I love reading other blogs.
If you love blogging and see it as a priority, then you’ll find the time to do it. I am no superwoman, I’m just someone that chooses to write over getting eight hours of sleep each night.
Bethany Smith says
Think this was the kick up the backside I needed to get this assignment sorted that’s due on Thursday! Great tips Orlagh!
Beth x
orlaghclaire says
Thanks Beth! I find I work best under pressure, so usually leave all my assignments until the last minute – you’re not alone aha x
Rosemary Capper says
Love reading your blogs Orlagh. Great to see you sharing tips on how to get it all done. Good luck with your finals
orlaghclaire says
Thanks so much Rosemary!