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Jenna Kutcher
Maybe it's not an integrator for you. Maybe you need help with your inbox or you need someone to help you set up your schedule, or you need help cleaning your house. Whatever that is. Look at ways that you can get help and earn back the expense of hiring that help.
Unknown Host
I'm Jenna Kutcher, your host of the Gold Digger Podcast. I escaped the corporate world at the age of 23 with nothing more than a $300 camera from Craigslist and a dream. Now I'm running a seven figure online business that feels even better than it look all from my house in small town Minnesota with my family. Here, we value time as our currency. We mix the woo and the work and we are in the pursuit of building businesses that give us the freedom to live lives that we love. I've always loved turning big goals into reality and I'm here to help you do the same. This isn't just a peek behind the curtain. Come along with me and my guests as we tear the whole curtain down. Every week we tackle practical no fluff marketing strategies and host honest discussions on what works and what doesn't. Join me and my expert guests for actionable insights to help you grow your dream business with confidence. Pull up a seat and get ready to be challenged, inspired and empowered. This is the Gold Digger podcast. The holidays are here, and with the season comes that familiar, all too busy feeling as your calendar fills with events, obligations and to dos. Taking back control of your time in your life can honestly feel like a far off dream. But here's the good news, it doesn't have to be. Today, we're diving into practical power moves that can help you reclaim your time and get more done without the constant hustle or burnout. I've been championing an anti hustle approach for years, encouraging you to build a business that supports your life instead of one that takes it over now. This episode originally aired in June of 2022, but I feel like now more than ever, as we're approaching the year's end, this conversation is even more relevant. You're about to hear 14 actionable ways to the most of your work hours so you can truly savor your downtime. Like, imagine finishing your day without a list hanging over your head, freeing you up for more of the moments that matter and the things that you love. Whether that's enjoying the holiday magic, unwinding with loved ones, watching those Hallmark movies, or simply finding a little piece amidst the noise. Without further ado, let's jump on in and explore how you can make the most of your time with intention and purpose. When all your marketing team does is put out fires, well they burn out and they burn out fast. Can you relate? Sifting through leads, creating content for infinite channels, endlessly searching for performance KPIs. It all takes a toll on our productivity and our mental health. But with HubSpot you can stop burnout in its tracks. Plus your team can achieve their best results without ever breaking a sweat. With HubSpot's collection of AI tools Breeze, you can pinpoint the best leads possible, capture prospects attention with click worthy Content Content and access all your company's data in one place. No sifting through multiple tabs necessary. It is all waiting for your team in HubSpot. Keep your marketers cool and make your campaign results hotter than ever. Visit HubSpot.com marketers to learn more. That's HubSpot.com marketers Thoreau once said, it's.
Jenna Kutcher
Not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about? And that idea that thought, it really hits home for me. When I started my business, I was working full time in my corporate position. On top of planning a wedding and commuting an hour to work each day and training for a marathon. To say I was stretched thin would be an understatement. I was stressed, I was busy. I was doing all the things because of everything that was happening in my world. I did not have a ton of extra time to devote to starting and growing my business. So every spare hour I could scrounge up went into building something that would get me my life back. Now when I look back, I literally have no clue how I managed it all. But at the time, I knew that the sacrifice of working pretty much around the clock in that specific season was going to be worth it. Did I work all the time? Yes. Was it worth it? Looking back, yes. Was it sustainable? No. Absolutely not. Now, when it comes to hustling, I think that there are seasons where it's appropriate and maybe even necessary to push the gas pedal down and get running. But I also want to preach that working that way only works in short bursts. It's not sustainable and it's usually not life giving, and you have to proceed with caution in order to avoid burnout. These are all things I've learned the hard way in my decade of entrepreneurship. I mean, there are bound to be these phases, these seasons of our lives and stages in our business that are busier than others. But if we recognize that off the bat, we can do our best to set ourselves up to feel even incrementally less frantic and frazzled by preparing the things that we can, setting up systems that give us back some of our time, and being totally and brutally honest about what we need in order to get through the busy while avoiding the burnout. All of these things are going to help us transition more quickly into a smoother, more balanced way of living and working. Now I'm literally walking through that this year with launching my book. It's going to be busier than I've been in the last four years, and things might get crazy, but I am doing literally everything in my power to anticipate what needs to happen, to prepare what I can prepare in advance, and to stick to my values when things try to pull me out of my life. Speaking of life, it took a lot of living to figure all of this out. And here's the thing I'm speaking from this place of. Here's what I've learned so far. I will undoubtedly learn more lessons on this topic as I grow and evolve, but heck, these experience shaped how I look at things like time and efficiency. And I'm going to guess that you have your own personal stories too. For me personally, motherhood was a massive catalyst and it helped me shift the way that I look at my time. My mom recently told me that her and my dad were slightly nervous to watch me become a mom. Not because they doubted that I'd be a good one, but for so many years I worked so hard like work was my baby and so much of my time went into my work. I went through this big transitory period after having cocoa and realizing that my time was more precious than ever and my time was now split. Like I'll admit that I didn't exactly have the most mindful and balanced approach to work pre kids. Today things look totally different than they did years ago. I mean for me it was fun to work. Like I was in love with my work. So many days I find myself jumping online any hour of the day or night. If inspiration struck or if I felt a tug of energy to get stuff done, I was the queen of like. One more email, one more post, one more thing. So when I became a mom, I went from working full time to working really part time and instead of working around the clock, I found myself basically working after Coco went to bed those first several months and even years. This was a massive a massive transition for me and I know that I'm not alone in that. There are so many naptime work warriors or side hustlers listening who want to be able to get a lot done without a clear chunk of time, or cutting work time in half without impacting their results dramatically. Our situations all look different, but we can all agree that if we are able to do focused work in less time, we will have more time for the things that we love, the things we're passionate about. So maybe you're in this season where you're working full time and building a.
Unknown Host
Side hustle whenever time allows.
Jenna Kutcher
Or perhaps you're in the season of Parenthood and working whenever your cute little sidekick lets you log in for a little bit of time. Whatever your story is, I want to share some massively helpful tactical actions that you can take one at a time to free up more of your time so that you can actually focus on what matters, whether that's finishing a project or rocking your baby during nap time. This list may be somewhat longish, but don't let that keep you frozen. Just pick one or two things today to work on in the next week or so and then come on back to this episode or even visit the show notes@jenna kutcherblog.com less time that's jennicutcherblog.com less time to work on a few more once you're done. Before you know it, you'll have more margin in your day to spend however you'd like, and you won't have to waste time on repeating tasks or doing things that aren't actually productive or worthwhile. So without further ado, let's jump on in. First, we want to start with working smarter with the time that you do have. So that means building out a few things that will take time on the front end, but save you massive amounts of time later on. Now trust me when I say time passes anyway, so this upfront work is going to be worth it. So first, you can create email templates for anything that you find yourself writing more than once. It can be a new client inquiry responses, frequently asked questions in your inbox, a follow up email, or literally anything that you type out from scratch all the time. Bonus thought is that you likely have an email in your inbox that you can take and just tweak and save in a Google Doc as your future template. Now, templates are life like imagine the feeling of creating one thoughtful or intentional email and using it over and over and over again with without the thought or time needed. So first, start with email templates. Next, create an autoresponder that sets clear expectations and buys you some time. Autoresponders can absolutely change the game. Let recipients know in the message when they can expect to hear back from you, whether it's within three business days or 10. And remember to under promise and over deliver here. On top of that, what you can do in your autoresponder is share links to things that they might need. In the meantime, you can link up resources and application to work with you, your products, your pricing guide or anything else that someone might be looking for. And if your email is constantly getting flooded with messages that you just can't prioritize responding to right now it's totally okay to say that. Say something like While we appreciate and love getting notes from the community, at this point in time, we're working on some big projects for you and unfortunately can't respond to every email that comes in. If your note is urgent, we will get back to you within X business days. Otherwise, keep up with us on social media for announcements of what's to come. This allows you to set both expectations and boundaries using an autoresponder that will do the serving for you. And the best part is that you can set it and forget it. Number three Create a pricing guide that walks someone through the features of your offer and explains what your offer is and how much it costs so that you don't have to book tons of consults with people who might not be the right fit. A well thought out pricing guide can help someone qualify themselves as a potential client and can keep the awkward money discussions at a minimum because you're upfront and you're sharing what it is that they they can expect. I know many photographers and designers have pricing guides, but honestly I believe any service provider can and should have a pretty PDF that they can easily send to prospects that explains the package and the value of what someone will get if they work with you. You don't want to waste anyone's time, so being transparent with your pricing can save you time and build trust. I know some people say don't list your prices, but I always included a starting at with a price point because it just helps people see if they're even in the ballpark of if they can afford you or not. So I think the more transparent you can be with pricing, the more time you're going to save yourself and potential clients.
Unknown Host
Let's talk about something I think most of us can relate to, which is last minute card panic. It's a holiday season and instead of scrambling to find stamps or digging through those generic store bought cards, you can actually be ahead of the game for once that's what Moonpig is all about. Moonpig lets you create the most thoughtful, personalized cards. You can add your favorite family photos, write something that'll make your loved one smile, laugh, or even tear up a little. And they'll even give you a nudge if you need some inspiration for exactly what to say. And here's the real magic. Get this. Moonpig mails the cards for you. No stamps. No late night trips to the post office. Just you on the couch with your cozy blanket making holiday magic. Think about how much joy you can spread this year. Whether it's Grandma getting that sweet family portrait or a friend unwrapping a gift card that you've slipped inside the holiday card itself. It's so easy to add that personal touch. And with MoonPig, you can send cards to everyone on your list in a few clicks so you never forget anyone again. It'll make you love sending cards all over again. And because I want for you to try it too, your first card is absolutely free. Just head to moonpig again. That's moonpig.com US gold digger go make someone's day. Everyone deserves a Moon Pig card. You know, running a business is a lot like growing a garden, which is something I am obsessed with. You start with an idea, you nurture it, and before you know it, things are growing. And fast. But here's the thing. Just like any garden, running a business has its weeds. The payroll, the hr, the paperwork.
Jenna Kutcher
And that's why I have to tell.
Unknown Host
You about a move we just made in my own business. In switching to Gusto. Gusto takes a hassle out of payroll and hr.
Jenna Kutcher
They're like that expert gardener who steps.
Unknown Host
Into weed, water and make sure everything's blooming just right. Like imagine having all of your payroll taxes filed automatically, onboarding a breeze and benefits that work with your budget. Because Gusto makes all of that possible. Plus, they genuinely care about small businesses like yours and mine. I mean, it's no wonder Gusto is rated the number one payroll product for small businesses.
Jenna Kutcher
Four out of five employers say Gusto.
Unknown Host
Helped them stay compliant with federal and state regulations. And with Gusto's simple guided software and user friendly interface, payroll and HR are no longer exhausting. They're rewarding.
Jenna Kutcher
Do you want all of this and.
Unknown Host
More with no hidden fees? Try it out for three months free@gusto.com gold digger that's gusto.com golddigger number four.
Jenna Kutcher
Begin to create regular content that serves, explains and teaches to build up a library of resources you can direct people to about your offer My Blog this podcast Massive resource libraries that we point people to daily. Those can save you a ton of time, and while you don't need to have thousands of blog posts or hundreds of podcast episodes, creating a few key content pieces that can serve as resources can massively help you. It can literally be like one blog post a month that leads someone to more information, or even an Instagram caption that teaches something that you can then send to people asking about certain topics. A quick way to get started with this is to look back on old content that you might have already created and see ways that you can expand and repurpose it in a fresh way. Or even ask your audience what questions do you have and build content around that. Creating a little library of resources can help you direct people in the right place without asking you to repeat yourself like a broken record. Create once, Serve more than once Number five is this Build a website or even just a solid landing page that shares more about you, your business, your offers and your pricing so that you can have a place that's searchable and that does a lot of the question answering and pitching for you. You want to have some sort of home base on the web. Not only does it help you build credibility, but it provides searchability and it allows for people to qualify themselves as a potential fit for your offer. Now obviously this is a larger undertaking, but if you sign up for something like flodesk for email marketing or for Kajabi to create courses, platforms like those provide the ability to build out websites or landing pages within their platform so that you can get your info live quickly. To check out my favorites, head to jk faves.com that's J K F A V E S.com and I list out all of my favorite places and resources to help you get started, along with discount codes that'll allow you to save. Number six have a hub for your transactions so this is an absolute life changer. But having a system or a CRM which is a customer relationship manager, some sort of simple way that you can send contracts, collect invoices easily, and coordinate sales and client interactions online can be life changing. Everything can be stored and tracked in one place and this is going to keep all of your important payment information and correspondences in one place, which makes it easier and faster to interact. And here's the thing, when you have a solid CRM, you don't have to deal with things like snail mail or have a bunch of separate platforms for managing various backend Tests. A lot of times these systems can save you time on things like taxes and they can do things like automatic follow up for things like payment and save you time and streamline your workflows. I used to do everything with filing cabinets. In fact, I just found one of my old filing cabinets with contracts from years ago and I would have to go to the post office and snail mail things over and go to the bank and cash checks. And then I decided to join a program called Honeybook and it was an absolute game changer for all things like contracts and invoices and workflows. So if you want to look for one, or if you want to see what I'm using, go to jennicutcher.com honeybook and you can check out how Honeybook works and how I use it in my business. And the best part is you can save 50% off on your annual subscription. Again, that is jennicojer.com HoneyBook okay, so after you have all of these pieces in place, now let's talk about how you can work on more of the day to day time saving action. So all of the things I just listed, from email templates to autoresponders, you can build those once, set them up and have them working for you. So start with those pieces of the puzzle first, but next I'm going to give you some tips for how you can save time in your day to day life. So number seven is this. Change your daily approach to work and incorporate something called a big three. So a big three is essentially establishing your big three tasks or even if you just have a limited amount of time figuring out what is the number one thing that I need to get done today. Now this is basically just defining the action steps or the task that needs to be completed that will make the most significant difference or make the biggest impact in your business or your life. Now when you are strapped for time, it is so easy to feel like you do not get anything done. Like, have you ever worked your butt off and you finish the day and you're like, what did I even accomplish today? I feel like I was working so hard and nothing got done. Or maybe you think like the work I did didn't actually even make a difference. If you can get really good at looking at your list and starting with the one thing that can actually be tied to a tangible result versus things like social media or getting sucked into your inbox, you can then finish your day feeling accomplished and knowing that you did something that made the needle move. So start off your day, look at your task list, start off with the one or the three things that must get done for that day. And then if and when you have that extra time, you can use it to tackle the rest of the things on your list. Or better yet, you can use it to rest. Number 8. Using a project management system and breaking down a big task into a bunch of smaller ones. Now this is something that became a necessity for me after having cocoa. I literally found myself logging into work and not even knowing what I needed to get done. So having a project management system, not just for myself, but for my entire team absolutely was a game changer. Now we use a program called Monday for project management and basically what it does is it allows us to look at big picture projects and break them down into way smaller digestible pieces. I can not only look at my own to do list and check things off, but follow projects my team is working on. And it keeps everything in one place, everything is in one home. So it gives you this like satisfaction of checking off things as you do them. But it also allows you to mentally release tasks that are taking up brain space since you know you have everything safely stored in one spot. You can create tasks, you can mark them off, you can set deadlines, reminders. There are so many different ways that you can use Monday and it has been just life changing for me and my team. So taking the time to break down a big project into micro tasks is going to help you move forward and it doesn't leave you feeling like you have unfinished business. Like for me in this stage of life, I need to know that I close the loop on certain things just to be able to mentally disconnect from work and get back into living. And so if you want to check out what we use, head to Jenna Loves Monday. Com, that's Jenna Loves Monday. Com and we absolutely love it as a project management system. And I know it can be tempting to think I don't have a team, I don't need something like this. Trust me, if you can start using a system like this when you are a solopreneur, it's going to help for you to break down these big projects and create systems and workflows that are going to serve you long after today. Next up is number nine, cutting out the unnecessaries or the needs to haves to focus on the need to haves. Think about this in terms of things like content or frequency of posting or sharing or outreach. You want to start super simple and then expand your efforts once you get the flow or the hang of it. There's no point in shooting too big or being unrealistic and then feeling guilt or shame when you can't follow through. I know I've done this before as an entrepreneur and so maybe it's most realistic for your time and needs to start small. You're saying I'm going to send one email to my email list a month and then work your way up to more later on as you get the flow as you know how long things are going to take you as you figure out your own system. So look at how you can really make sure that you're doing the things that make you an actual business, AKA you're making money, you're making sales, you're serving clients and not just focusing on things that make you look like a business, AKA social media or a perfect website. Focus on the needle movers first and be brutal in cutting out anything that really isn't tied to an actual result.
Unknown Host
Number 10 getting help.
Jenna Kutcher
Whether it's a contractor like a VA or hiring someone short term for a one off project on a site like Fiverr. Now I personally used to absolutely suck at asking for help, but over the years I've realized that in order to do the things that I do and also be the kind of mom I want to be, help is essential. It's required. Hiring my integrator Marissa 3 years ago actually came out of my frustration of trying to navigate naptime warrior life after Coco was born and essentially not having the bandwidth to even know what needed to get done or where to start. Like I felt like I was wasting the precious time that I did have just to get reacclimated to the business. I was busy answering everyone else's questions and figuring out what needed to be done and responding to emails and I would literally just like sit down and stare at all the needs and requests from my team and then look at what big projects or launches were coming.
Unknown Host
Up and I just felt frozen.
Jenna Kutcher
I like literally didn't know where to start or how to dig myself out. When I realized that I am the visionary and not the integrator. When I hired someone to be the integrator to integrate to manage the team to handle the requests, like everything changed. I knew that if someone else could manage that prioritization that I could stay in my lane of getting things done that were needed for me and check them off so much faster. So maybe it's not an integrator for you. Maybe you need help with your your inbox or you need someone to help you set up your schedule or you need help cleaning your house, whatever that is, look at ways that you can get help and earn back the expense of hiring that help. Number 11 is getting crystal clear on the things that only you can do. And this one is tricky because a lot of us start as solopreneurs, we learn how to do all the things. Yes, I can edit a podcast episode and I can create graphics and I can design web pages. But just because I can or I've done those things doesn't mean that I should be still doing them. There are actually very few things that only I can do, and I hinted at this in the last one. But if you are likely the visionary, which you probably are, you are maybe the voice and probably the face of your brand too. And so in order to be able to stay in that high level position as much as possible, you have to be able to pass off some of those nitty gritty things that you can potentially outsource either now or create and have a plan for outsourcing in the future when your business allows. So start with the things that only you can do first, because those are usually the things that are the most important. As the business owner, it's time to.
Unknown Host
Turn that big bold idea of yours into a business. You've got the creativity, the hustle, and the passion, but there's one tool that takes it from a great idea to a thriving shop, and that's Shopify. Shopify makes it ridiculously easy to transform your dream into an online store that actually sells. Whether it's a product, a service, or a membership. Shopify's platform offers the world's number one checkout, which means more sales and fewer abandoned carts. And with shop pay, you can boost conversion rates by up to 50%. That's more cha Ching moments. Think about the small brands out there, absolutely crushing the secret behind so many of them is Shopify helps you sell online, in person and everywhere in between. So your shop is thriving wherever your customers are. Businesses that sell more sell on Shopify. Sign up for your $1 per month trial period at shopify.com gold digger all lowercase go to shopify.com gold digger to upgrade your selling today. Shopify.com/gold digger.
Jenna Kutcher
Number 12 is tying every effort that you're doing to real, tangible results. Now, chances are a lot of the work that you're doing might not actually be moving the needle in a measurable way. We want to look at roi, your return on investment, with your investment being your time, your money and your energy. Anytime you are spending one of these, you want to be able to tie it to something tangible. So how do we do this? This is going to require a more bird's eye look at the business. And honestly, it's just so important to do a little inventory or do a time audit once or twice a year to make sure you're not just on autobiography or you're spinning your wheels anywhere. You want to be able to ensure that every single effort that you're putting into your business is actually reaping some kind of reward. So sit down, write down your tasks, your projects, your launches, your action items, and then next to each one, write down the benefit or the direct results that it brings to the business. So, for example, one of our ongoing tasks is putting out podcast episodes just like these ones. And this is obviously a free service and a resource that we offer up to anyone. But if we're looking at it strategically, yes, we're creating free content, but we can also use that free content and tie it to a real result. Whether we're promoting a launch or sharing a freebie that someone can opt into, or talking about an affiliate that we use and love. If you realize somewhere that you're spending time on isn't actually moving the needle anywhere, it might be time for you to pivot, to restrategize, or to maybe take that item off of your list for a little while to save you some of your precious time. All right, number 13 is getting in solid, focused work. This is a massive struggle for me right now in my life life. Set a timer for 20 minutes or use an hourglass timer to tackle something that you've been putting off. Or just set a timer to help you focus, like Truth Corner. I literally need this a lot. I'm thinking right now, okay, after this episode, I should flip over my 20 minute timer and let the hourglass run while I put away my clothes. I have this pile of clothes that has been sitting on my dresser for a week and I know if I just gave 20 minutes, I could tidy up my entire closet. But something I'm going to do after this episode. But I am someone, I'm fairly certain that I have adhd and I really struggle with actually focusing on my work, which is super tricky and it's so frustrating when you only have a small amount of time to actually do the work. So trying to get distraction free work done is really important for me. And so I usually do shorter increments, like 20 minutes. And then when the timer is done, I'll walk around or I'll Take deep breaths or I'll do five minutes of outdoor time before I restart and jump back in. So try to do focus work. Repeat these short work spurts for as long as you are given to work, and you might be amazed at how much you can get done. I literally have to, like, put my phone in a box or set a timer or step away from my current environment to focus on something new. And so if that is you as well, make sure that you are getting in solid, focused work time. All right, number 14. And finally changing the way that you create. So if you listen to this show, you know that I would literally kiss the idea of batch working if that were a possible thing. Batch working is focusing on one category of work without having to re acclimate yourself and change directions every 20 to 30 minutes. So we just talked about focused work, but what if we got hyper focused and worked on one specific thing? So whether you have an hour or three hours, try to prioritize and plan out your schedule so that you can work on one task and get as far as you can. Whether it's sitting down and writing out a batch of emails for your email list, or making a batch of social media posts, or recording a batch of podcast episodes. This type of work allows you to focus in, but it also helps for you to see the bigger strategy because you're not just creating one off content, but you're able to look at things like the flow, the sequence, the strategy. And as a bonus, the more that you can do this and then schedule ahead, the less urgency you feel about things, giving you way more peace and flexibility with the time that you do have. Elizabeth Knox, the author of a book called Work Reimagined, said research shows that it takes longer to complete tasks. If you keep switching between them, you're going to make more mistakes, you're going to burn out faster and lose up to 40% of productivity. So if you take anything away from this episode and you want to save time and get more done in less time, start with these last two ones, focused work and batch working, and let that become your number one and two priorities in your business. All right, guys, we made it through 14, and I know that that feels like a lot, but these are all micro and macro things that we've implemented into my business and into our systems over the past three years. Now, as I navigate this season as a mom of two, my goal truly is to work part time so that I can spend more time with my family. And the best way that I can do that is through figuring out and leaning on what I just shared with you so that I can be working smarter to save time that I can then spend with the ones that I love now. Like most things that are rewarding in the long run, there is no magic switch that will let you get a bunch of your time back. So instead I want your goal to be to start with small, inconsistent actions and have some planning in place so that you can set up systems that work with you instead of against you. By incorporating some or all of these actions into your daily routine, you're going to get hours of time back that allow you to work on the important work matters or spend time doing other non work things that you love. Which to me is a sign of a beautiful and a fulfilling life.
Unknown Host
If you're ready to take back your time this holiday season, I hope these 14 strategies are your new go tos. Remember, the goal isn't to squeeze every minute dry, but to create a rhythm that leaves room for what matters most. Like I often say, I want to live fat minutes, minutes where I am just so present that I will remember everything in them. So whether it's a quick win to streamline your work day or a shift in perspective to prioritize your personal life, taking small steps now, I'm going to tell you, is going to lead to big changes this season. I hope you find pockets of calm and connection in the midst of this holiday rush. So go on, reclaim that time of yours, enjoy the moments that matter, and make this year's end a little more fulfilling and a lot less frantic. Until next time, Gold Diggers. Keep on digging your biggest goals and remember to do it efficiently. Thanks for pulling up a seat for another episode of the Gold Digger Podcast. I hope today's episode fueled you with inspiration, gave you information that you can turn into action, and realigned you with your true north in life and business. If you've enjoyed today's episode, head on over to gold diggerpodcast.com for today's show notes, discount codes for our sponsors, freebies to fuel your results, and so much more. And if you haven't yet, make sure you're subscribed so that you never miss a future show. We'll see you next time, Gold Diggers.
Summary of Episode 828: "Power Moves to Take Back Your Time and Get More Done"
Podcast: The Goal Digger Podcast
Host: Jenna Kutcher
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Episode Title: Power Moves to Take Back Your Time and Get More Done
In Episode 828 of The Goal Digger Podcast, Jenna Kutcher addresses a common struggle among entrepreneurs and busy professionals: managing time effectively without falling into the trap of constant hustle and eventual burnout. Drawing from her personal experiences and professional expertise, Jenna presents fourteen actionable strategies designed to help listeners reclaim their time, enhance productivity, and create a balanced life that aligns with their personal and business goals.
Jenna begins by sharing her own journey from escaping the corporate world at 23 with minimal resources to building a seven-figure online business. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to push hard and when to step back, highlighting the unsustainable nature of constant hustling. Jenna reflects on how motherhood significantly shifted her perspective on time management, leading her to prioritize efficiency and intentionality in both her personal and professional life.
Notable Quote:
"It's not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy about." (03:25)
Invest time upfront to create systems and templates that save time in the long run. This proactive approach allows you to focus on high-impact tasks rather than getting bogged down by repetitive activities.
Develop reusable email templates for common communications such as client inquiries, FAQs, and follow-ups. This reduces the time spent drafting similar emails repeatedly.
Implement autoresponders to manage client expectations regarding response times. This tool can also provide additional resources and information, freeing you from the need to respond immediately.
Create a comprehensive pricing guide that outlines your services and costs. This transparency helps potential clients self-qualify, reducing time spent on consultations with mismatched prospects.
Generate a repository of content that serves, explains, and educates your audience. This library can be a valuable resource for directing clients without repeatedly producing new content.
Create a website or landing page that clearly presents your business, offerings, and pricing. This central hub enhances credibility and assists in qualifying potential clients.
Adopt the "Big Three" approach by identifying the top three tasks that will have the most significant impact each day. Prioritizing these ensures meaningful progress and a sense of accomplishment.
Use tools like Monday.com to break down large projects into manageable tasks. This organization helps maintain clarity and ensures that both you and your team stay on track.
Focus on essential tasks that directly contribute to your business goals. Eliminating non-essential activities prevents time wastage and keeps your efforts aligned with your objectives.
Delegate tasks that do not require your unique expertise. Hiring virtual assistants or contractors for administrative duties can free up your time for higher-level activities.
Identify and focus on tasks that only you can perform. Outsourcing other responsibilities allows you to concentrate on areas where you add the most value.
Regularly assess the ROI of your activities by linking them to measurable outcomes. This practice ensures that your time and energy are invested in actions that drive meaningful results.
Implement time blocks with set timers (e.g., 20-minute focused work sessions) to enhance concentration and productivity. This technique helps manage distractions and maximizes efficiency.
Group similar tasks together and complete them in dedicated sessions. Batch working minimizes task-switching, reduces errors, and increases overall productivity.
Jenna provides practical advice on implementing these strategies, recommending specific tools and platforms:
Notable Quote:
"Create once, serve more than once." (14:18)
Jenna emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing personal time. By implementing these power moves, entrepreneurs can create a harmonious balance between work and personal life, ensuring that business growth does not come at the expense of personal well-being.
Notable Quote:
"The goal truly is to work part-time so that I can spend more time with my family." (31:54)
Episode 828 offers a comprehensive guide to reclaiming time and enhancing productivity through strategic planning and efficient systems. Jenna Kutcher’s blend of personal anecdotes and actionable advice provides listeners with the tools needed to build a thriving business that supports a fulfilling personal life. By adopting these fourteen power moves, entrepreneurs can work smarter, achieve their goals, and enjoy the moments that matter most.
For more detailed strategies and additional resources, visit goaldiggerpodcast.com.