Remember that post about planning out our goals for 2013? Well, we need to get some specific, measurable goals laid out. Just like with the creative business plan, I like to start thinking about things from a big picture point of view, then slowly zoom in to the nitty gritty details.

Before I come up with my specific 2013 goals, I’m going to brainstorm what my ideal work day looks like. Then I can work backwards to see what exactly I need to accomplish with my business to be able to have that “ideal work day” every work day! Make sense?

bamboo owl clock by graphicspaceswood on etsy

So here we ago, my ideal work day for Lazy Owl:

• 8:30 – 9:30 – Wake up, have morning coffee and (healthy) breakfast whilst reading daily blogroll, taking notes on any business ideas or inspiration that interests me. Commenting on my favorite blogs and doing some social networking!
• 9:30 –  11:00 – Fill and package outstanding Etsy orders. Respond to customer emails and questions. Work on updating inventory and sales records. Evaluate supply and inventory levels. Re-order supplies if necessary. Do other Etsy admin tasks as needed.
• 11:00 – 1:30 – Run to post office, run other errands. Take the dogs for a walk. Have lunch. Take a break or go to the gym (hey, I said ideal day right).
• 1:30 – 4:00 – Work on website & blog. Draft and post new article(s). Brainstorm new topics and series ideas. Social media marketing and networking.
• 4:00 – 5:30 – Photograph new Etsy listings, list online.
• 5:30 – 9:00 – Break time! Do household chores, eat dinner, spend time with husband, etc.
• 9:00 – 10:30 – Crafting time! Work on new jewelry items or whatever else I’m crafting up.
• Bedtime at midnight.

Ok, so it was actually quite weird for me to write all that out on an hour-by-hour basis. It made me feel like there’s so much time in a day, but in reality I am always scrambling to fit all these things in. I don’t know if that schedule is actually livable for me, but my goal is that during my ideal day I would love to be able to squeeze in:

• Time to research what’s going on in the blogosphere, on Etsy, and with other Etsy businesses (this is my biggest problem, I find content I want to delve into, open it in a new Firefox tab, but then end up with 60 open tabs that I never seem to have time to go back and truly read)
• Write for the blog
• Generate meaningful content for my website, market and connect with other businesses and potential customers, promote Lazy Owl to my target audience
• Create new products, photograph and list them
• Take time for myself and for my family – be outside, exercise, be healthy, have some fun!
• Run errands and do household chores without falling behind
• Support local businesses and connect with my local community

Realistically, I can probably not do all of these things in one day. But now I know what I would like to do with my time, and what is most important to me. That is half the battle. I can make goals to get closer to be able to have this ideal day now!

printable worksheet – planning your ideal work day – click to download

What does your ideal work day look like? Download the above worksheet for helping you plan out your ideal work day.

Related articles

• 2013: Let’s Grow (www.lazyowlboutique.com)
• Hello Etsy (souzawebb.wordpress.com)
• Connectedness Is Etsy (greatfinds.icrossing.com)