How I’m Working Just a Few Hours a Week This Summer (And Still Earning Full-Time Income)

This summer time, I’m planning to work as little as doable – and I’m actually wanting 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 may 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 through 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 totally!).

And I do know I’m not the one one who needs to get pleasure from their holidays or summers extra.

Whether or not you need extra seashore 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, programs, and the proper revenue streams in place, you’ll be able to work much less and nonetheless earn a superb revenue.

And whereas I’m sharing this from the attitude of a full-time blogger, the following tips could be useful for freelancers, small enterprise homeowners, content material creators, course sellers, and extra. If you happen to run any type of work-from-home job or on-line enterprise, you could possibly 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 Potential Over the Summer time (Whereas Nonetheless Making Cash)

Right here’s how I plan on working as little as doable however nonetheless earn cash. I don’t anticipate my revenue 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 educate you learn how to begin a weblog, from the technical aspect to incomes your first revenue 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 must work a lot later.

This implies I’m writing weblog posts, emails, and social media content material upfront. I’ve already scheduled lots of my content material upfront, 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 put up scheduling (each WordPress weblog has this), Equipment for my electronic mail newsletters and funnels, and the Pinterest scheduler to verify every thing continues working whereas I’m offline.

I’m additionally engaged on all of these huge image duties which have been increase 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 eager 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 could be nice as a result of they may take up lots of time, so I’d fairly do it now than later. I’d fairly my summer time 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 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 utilize on 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 many others.
• Decide 2–3 huge tasks to finish now. Select issues that require numerous time or brainpower and end them earlier than summer time begins.
• Create templates for recurring content material. This might be publication codecs, weblog put up buildings, or social media captions to make future content material quicker to create.
• Audit your affiliate hyperlinks and adverts. Replace them now in order that they’re working for you all summer time lengthy.

2. Batch work

Batch working is among the greatest methods to avoid wasting time and get extra executed.

I’ve been doing this for years, and it’s really 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 completely different duties, I deal with one factor at a time. I would spend a complete day simply writing weblog posts or just a few hours solely engaged on electronic mail newsletters.

This helps me keep centered, keep away from distractions, and create higher work – quicker. 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 luxuriate in private time after I’m off.

Right here’s what you are able to do:

• Select 1–2 days per week for centered batch work. These are your deep work days the place you knock out as a lot as doable in a single class (like writing or designing).
• Group duties by sort. For instance, batch all writing duties on Mondays, picture modifying on Tuesdays, and Pinterest pin creation on Wednesdays.
• Use a timer to remain centered. Strive working in 25- or 45-minute blocks with brief breaks in between (Pomodoro fashion).
• 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 suddenly – breaking it into clear levels.
• Document or define a number of movies or reels in a single session. Even should you’re not filming in bulk, making 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 buying, appointment scheduling, and different life to-dos could be grouped collectively in order that they don’t interrupt your work circulation.

3. Outsourcing what I don’t have to do

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

Through the years, I’ve constructed a small group that helps with completely different components 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.

If you happen to’re not prepared to rent a group, even outsourcing only one factor may also help. For instance, you would possibly 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 get pleasure from or that drain your time. This might be tech points, formatting weblog posts, making graphics, or scheduling content material.
• Begin with only one activity 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 executed with a brief Loom video or Google Doc – it doesn’t must be fancy!
• Check with a small venture first. Earlier than hiring somebody long-term, give them one particular activity and see how they do (and see should you’re completely satisfied).
• Set a price range and follow it. Even $100 to $200 a month can unlock hours of your time and cut back burnout.
• Outsource private duties too. If work assist isn’t within the price range but, it’s possible you’ll be inquisitive about hiring a cleaner, grocery supply, or a part-time babysitter – all of it helps your corporation not directly.

4. Incomes with semi-passive revenue streams

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

My major supply of passive revenue is affiliate marketing online. I’ve constructed up a library of weblog posts (I’ve written over 2,000 weblog posts over time) that herald affiliate revenue 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 laborious work of making content material and constructing belief with my viewers, I don’t must be continuously on-line to earn cash. That’s the facility of passive revenue, it retains working for you lengthy after you’ve executed the work.

If you happen to’re simply getting began with a weblog, you’ll be able to deal with creating useful evergreen content material and constructing site visitors to these posts to do the identical. After all, just be sure you promote merchandise you really imagine in, and assume long-term. Semi-passive revenue builds slowly, however as soon as it’s rolling, it may assist your life-style in an enormous method.

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 opinions. These kind of posts normally convert nicely and are nice for search engine optimisation too.
• Use affiliate hyperlinks in your electronic mail funnel. If somebody indicators up on your freebie or publication, ship them to useful assets that additionally earn you revenue.
• Give attention to evergreen content material. Write weblog posts round matters that will likely be looked for all 12 months lengthy (like learn how to price range, learn how to plan a household trip, learn how to be more healthy, and many others.).
• 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 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 possibly can study extra about my affiliate marketing online methods in my course, Making Sense of Affiliate Advertising. This course teaches how I’ve revamped $2,000,000 with affiliate marketing online over time!

Additionally, in case you are inquisitive about 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 present content material

I don’t all the time have to reinvent the wheel.

Through the years, I’ve written 1000’s of weblog posts, emails, and social media updates. Many of those are nonetheless helpful and related at this time. So through the summer time, I plan to refresh and reshare a few of my older content material.

This would possibly 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 checklist – ones which have carried out nicely up to now and nonetheless have numerous worth however are up to date.

Most readers haven’t seen all of your content material, and even when they’ve, they generally respect 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, photographs, and outdated information. This retains your content material recent and improves person expertise (and conversions).
• Flip weblog posts into short-form video or reels. Break a put up into 3–5 suggestions 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 suggestions and ship them to your checklist with a private observe.
• Create a “Better of” weblog put up roundup. For instance, “10 Most Common Aspect Hustles” and embrace 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 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 electronic mail inbox. I’ve realized that I don’t must say “sure” to every 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 follow 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 thing more.”
• Create an autoresponder on your electronic mail. Let folks know you’re working restricted hours and after they can anticipate 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, electronic mail, and social media whenever 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 working “later” checklist. Write down concepts and duties that pop up so that you don’t really feel stress 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 verify in continuously or distracts out of your time without work.
• Share your targets with your loved ones or companion. Allow them to know whenever you’re working and whenever you’re totally 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 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 – deal with 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 every 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 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 shocked what’s not really serving to your corporation 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 must be executed earlier than your break.

8. Utilizing ChatGPT to brainstorm and save time

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

I exploit it to assist brainstorm weblog put up subject concepts, write outlines, provide you with topic traces 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 quicker. It’s like having a brainstorming companion obtainable 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 not too long ago fed all of my most up-to-date articles which have gone viral and requested ChatGPT to brainstorm extra article concepts which might be related.
• Use it to create outlines earlier than writing. You possibly can feed ChatGPT a bunch of your previous weblog posts after which ask: “Are you able to define a put up in my fashion 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 price range journey suggestions.”
• Use ChatGPT to research your previous posts on Fb, examine your fashion, and provide you with a whole bunch extra concepts for Fb posts.
• You possibly can even simply inform ChatGPT all about your corporation, after which ask it the way it thinks it may prevent time. For instance, you’ll be able to 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 checklist 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 advantageous!

For this reason I construct in flexibility. Some weeks I would work slightly extra and different weeks in no way. 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 on me working 24/7, I can take that point off with out every thing falling aside. That’s the great factor about on-line revenue – you’ll be able to 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 house for sudden plans, household time, or simply relaxation.
• Have backup content material prepared. Write 1–2 additional weblog posts or emails now that you should utilize later should you want a break.
• Use instruments that make it simple 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 small business gained’t collapse should you step away – particularly should you’ve prepped upfront.
• Revisit your priorities weekly. What felt necessary in Might may not matter in July. So, be ready to regulate your targets based mostly on what your life wants that week.

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

I hope you loved my article on how I plan on working as little as doable whereas nonetheless earning profits.

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 the easiest way doable.

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

Whether or not you’re a blogger, entrepreneur, or simply somebody trying to step again slightly, I hope my article reveals you that it’s doable 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.

If you happen to’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 prefer to take breaks all year long? Probably for a trip? Inform me your plans within the feedback beneath!

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