Recently Kabbage, a small business loans provider, contacted me and was interested in what I do to increase productivity and ultimately, how I continue to produce content week after week. I was flattered that they asked me, considering I certainly don’t feel like I have my act together 24/7, but once I started thinking about it, I realized there are several things I do each week to stay productive and have most definitely played a part in creating almost 700 blog posts on Sweet Violet Bride (not to mention the ones on Sweet Violet Beauty), and starting a magazine. I also realized that these tips don’t just apply to blogging, they could apply to many endeavors, including planning your wedding!
- Make Your Space an Organized Reflection of Yourself – I recently went through the process of redoing my work space over the past week. There was nothing wrong with my desk per se, but it was feeling crowded and I’d been working with the same set up for 5+ years. It felt time for a change. I wanted more surface space so I could actually look at idea books at my desk and also wanted it to feel brighter. I used a huge white desk surface from Ikea and two units to support it below. I made space for all the magazines and books on another shelf. With all the wall space that opened up I ordered some of Minted’s Limited Edition Art Prints (all the ones except the small one far left in the photos). See the before and after below. I love the fresh feel of my new work space and find that I can concentrate longer and am now happier when spending long hours at my desk. For me environment is the first step in productivity. I also like to have inspirational quotes around and found one of my favorites on Minted: “Do what you love, love what you do.” I’m also going to put up some small shelves on the left which is why there is masking tape in the ‘after’ photo.
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- Make a Daily To-Do List – Without this it can be easy to feel lost but it is also important to not overdo the list. I try not to put more than 6 things on my daily list starting with the most important because I typically lose steam toward the end of the day. I also have a monthly calendar on the wall where I can see my blog post schedule on a larger scale and plan ahead. I’m old-school when it comes to my editorial calendar, even if I create a digital version I always go back to printing out calendars from pdfcalendar.com and using a pencil to create my schedule. I also use Highrise to keep track of contacts and goals.
– - Know When You Need it Quiet (for me it’s in the morning when I’m proofing posts before publishing) and Have a Playlist Ready for When You Need a Boost (for me in the afternoon when I’m researching, brainstorming, creating color palettes etc). I also love listening to instrumental music for when I need energy but don’t want the distraction of lyrics. Grooveshark is a great way to create free playlists.
– - Step Away from the Desk – It can be so tempting to work, work, work especially when you work from home and you are your own boss. But having experienced really bad burnout, I can tell you it is crucial to allot time away from your desk (and your mental desk!) to relax, rest, read for fun, go for a walk, cook dinner with your family etc. Sometimes, because I don’t drink caffeine, I even allow myself to take a 20 minute nap in the middle of the afternoon if I’m feeling really exhausted. Afterward it usually leaves me feeling refreshed and ready to work several more hours. If you don’t work at home, try simply getting out of the building and finding a nice place to sit quietly for a few minutes.
– - Get Inspired – This might be one of the most important things. Above all one needs motivation to keep going, to have fun, to keep creating each day. I make sure to take time several times a week to read other blogs, watch YouTube videos, scroll through Pinterest, and read my favorite fashion, wedding, and décor magazines. I allow myself to dream and collect inspirational photos. I might also get inspiration from a plant or insect I see on a walk, from a designer’s new collection, or from working with my hands (I’m also an accessory designer). I’m always looking ahead to the next project and get energy from dreaming of what I want to write or create next. It is also so inspirational to read about the success stories of other women entrepreneurs. I love learning about people’s stories, how they came up with an idea or created a successful business.
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So that is a little glimpse behind the scenes of Sweet Violet Bride! I hope you find these tips useful and that they can help you be more productive in whatever it is you love to do.
xo – Naomi - Make a Daily To-Do List – Without this it can be easy to feel lost but it is also important to not overdo the list. I try not to put more than 6 things on my daily list starting with the most important because I typically lose steam toward the end of the day. I also have a monthly calendar on the wall where I can see my blog post schedule on a larger scale and plan ahead. I’m old-school when it comes to my editorial calendar, even if I create a digital version I always go back to printing out calendars from pdfcalendar.com and using a pencil to create my schedule. I also use Highrise to keep track of contacts and goals.
