As we close out this list with the last four of seven actions you could be putting on your calendar, did you schedule the 3 from this blog? If not, what is keeping you from doing this? If you don’t have time, I would argue the opposite is true. You don’t have time not to do these things and without them, you will never get your time back. Here are the final 4 actions to put on your calendar instead of your to-do list.
Focus Time for Creative Work
The next appointment to make with yourself is all about giving yourself time to play in your unique sandbox. Creative work is the lifeblood of your business—it’s what sets you apart, keeps your business evolving, and fuels your passion. However, if you treat it like any other task on your to-do list, it can easily get pushed to the back burner. Instead of waiting for inspiration to strike, actively schedule time each week for creative tasks. This is time dedicated entirely to brainstorming, strategizing, and coming up with new ideas, free from the usual distractions. Maybe you are designing, creating product or service ideas, or any other creative endover that you are passionate about inside your business. Block off one to two-hour chunks of time each week. For some who need more, schedule more but find that balance between too much play and not enough forward action.
Making creative time a scheduled event doesn’t just ensure you’re making room for innovation—it also keeps you engaged and motivated. Just like any other aspect of your business, creativity thrives on consistency. As you honor your creative time, you’ll find that your motivation stays high and your passion for the work you do remains ignited.
Physical and Mental Recharge
Running a business requires a lot of energy—both physical and mental. If you’re constantly working without taking time to recharge, you’ll burn out, and your productivity will suffer. That’s why it’s so important to schedule regular downtime on your calendar. Whether it’s making time for exercise, practicing meditation, or simply resting, taking care of your body and mind is non-negotiable. Neglecting self-care might seem tempting when you’re busy, but without consistent breaks, your focus and clarity will diminish, leaving you less effective in the long run.
I suggest blocking out 15-minute windows for this each day. I have personally found that 10 AM and 3 PM are ideal times for these breaks. Make sure to walk away from all the distractions, by putting your phone down, and just completely recharging while being unplugged.
Client or Partner Check-In Calls
Building and maintaining strong relationships is a cornerstone of any successful business. To keep those connections alive, it’s important to schedule regular check-in calls with clients, partners, or mentors. These calls aren’t just about discussing business transactions; they’re opportunities to deepen trust, understand needs, and collaborate on future opportunities. By dedicating 30 minutes to one hour a day to these calls, you bridge the gap between mindset and action, moving from simply thinking about business growth to actively building it. These regular touchpoints help ensure that you’re not only keeping things on track but also nurturing long-term relationships that can lead to new opportunities. Done right, these check-ins can be incredibly productive, helping you identify and act on key areas that will drive success and growth in your business.
Celebrate Wins, Big and Small
Success isn’t always about huge, game-changing moments—it’s the small victories that add up over time. Whether it’s completing a major project or receiving positive feedback from a customer, take the time to celebrate these wins. My wife and I like to meet together monthly to go over 25 or more wins we had the previous month and it takes up 30 to 45 minutes a month. So in each moment celebrate everything you can, but also set aside time to appreciate your progress.
These “get-to” tasks like working on your business, reflecting, creating, setting goals, recharging, and checking in with clients, keep you moving forward with purpose. By scheduling these important activities, you’re shifting your mindset, and working smarter, not harder.
These seven areas will make a massive change, yet you are not over-cuttering your calendar. This is up to 20 hours a week at most out of the 168 hours you have in a week’s time. That is only slightly over 10% of the available time you have to you and that 10+% will help you find time you didn’t realize you had. You will be more focused, efficient, and working on the right things at the right time. By taking just a small amount of time you will notice the difference it makes not only in your business but in your life. The small victories and steady progress compound over time, leading you to where you want to go. So go ahead, schedule these moments, and make sure they stay a priority on your calendar!