Over the past few weeks, I’ve been doing my best to plan out my business procedures ahead of time. When I say “ahead of time” I mean, I’m already thinking about July and August…which used to only happen when I was an eight-year-old looking forward to a Disney trip.
Instead of only looking at the current month, I’ve been tidying up my calendar and creating content months in advance, because I’m anticipating a super busy season throughout the spring and early summer.
Not only will it be busy, but it’ll be full of new projects and goals I’ve never tackled before. I’m 100% up for it, but at times I can’t help but feel nervous.
It’s like starting a new semester at school. In a general sense I know what to expect. I’m happy to be here. But there are still surprises coming my way, which sometimes feel like cute butterflies and other times more like creepy crawlies.
At the end of the day, I know I can only control so much. There’s no predicting what the next few months will look like. All I can do is my best.
If you’re also anticipating a full schedule or new challenges during quarter two (April – June), then maybe these safety nets will help.
Safety Net #1: Expectation Setting
- Clearly communicating expectations with clients during onboarding
- Pacing myself within a given month so my clients see firsthand how I prefer to do things
- Using my words intentionally, so they match my actions (and vice versa)
- Leaving room to pleasantly surprise my clients and audience, by not overextending myself from the start
Safety Net #2: Stress Relief
- Dedicating time each day to physical exercise, both indoors and outdoors
- Being mindful of what I’m feeding my body, and how it might affect my brain power
- Sticking to a standard sleep schedule, but giving myself extra rest when I need it
- Spending time on activities that don’t have a particular goal attached to them (AKA play!)
Safety Net #3: Energy Management
- Tackling the more complex to-do’s first so I can enjoy the sense of accomplishment
- Moving onto more familiar or less intimidating tasks later in the day
- Recognizing my most productive times of day, and applying those observations to my weekly planning
- Honoring the way my energy shifts as a result of my monthly menstrual cycle
The idea behind these safety nets is this: Instead of assuming everything will simply work out, you’re stepping up to the challenge, solving small puzzles before they become massive problems, and letting the rest happen as it may.
And if you fall, there’s something beneath you to keep you from completely wiping out.
It’s a mix of “be responsible enough to prevent major setbacks” and “life was never meant to be predictable.”
Well, my friend…enjoy quarter two!
