Heeyyyy there my boss babes!

Now that we’re fully one month (and a half-ish!) into 2018, I think it’s time to take a look at how we’re working. Cause I don’t know about you, but I don’t plan to spend ALL of 2018 behind my camera, computer, or desk. Do you?!

One of the reasons I created KateMaxStock is to help business owners work and market smarter, NOT harder. This mama and biz owner believes in maximizing your time working so you can also maximize your time playing. Work hard, play hard, right?!

I hear from a lot of biz owners and ladies that there’s so much to do and not enough time.  And it’s true! I definitely feel that to a certain extent, but I try to always remind myself, and them, that the to-do list is always going to be there. There will always be something else I’ll feel like I could be doing to further my business, but I prefer to come back to those items on the never-ending to-do list after I’ve had a completely work-free weekend or an evening watching a movie with the fam. It’s all about not letting that to-do list run your life, day, and schedule and you telling it who’s in command – you are the boss, after all!

So, read on for my 3 best tips on working smarter and hustling less. Cause there’s popcorn to be eaten and movie nights to be watched and not enough time to eat all the ice cream if we’re always working!

1.) BECOME A MINIMALIST  – What is your highest and best contribution to this world? Only do that.

I’m telling you, this can make the biggest difference in your business and life. By focusing in on what you do best and doing only that, you’re going to open up time, space, opportunities, and a whole lot of joy. The key to becoming a business minimalist? Saying no a lot. I know, it can be tough sometimes when something sounds so cool, and that sounds cool, and so does that, but by saying no and truly paring down, you’re saving yourself so much time and brain power right there already. Oh, and all the apps? You only need a few essentials. Pare down those apps too, people!

2.) BATCH WORK MATTERS – This is an important and life-changing one: batch work all the things. Batching your work, where you do all like-minded tasks in one sitting instead of skipping around from task to task, will radically free up your time better than turning off the TV even. But turning off the television helps, as well. Go ahead and do that one too. 😉

If I know I need to get X amount of photos taken within a two-week time frame, I will make sure I shoot only on day X. I won’t shoot one set of photos on a Tuesday and another set of photos on the following Thursday. I batch work all of my tasks – from shooting, to culling photos and editing, to email (ESPECIALLY email!), to marketing, blogging, social media, and administrative work. This means I’m sitting down without Instagram open, all other tabs in my browser are closed, and focusing on one single task. This allows my wild, overactive brain to focus on THE one thing before me. Which means I can get three times as much work done in 20 minutes as I would skipping around from email to Instagram to the Member Library to back to email in two hours or more. Seriously, batch working is a game changer.

3.) OUTSOURCE WHAT YOU CAN – This goes back to becoming a minimalist in your business and doing what you’re absolutely best at. I know you’re a brilliant, totally capable of ruling this world boss lady, but that doesn’t mean you have to, or should be, doing #allthethings. This again brings us back to number 1, and now back again to tip number 3 – hire some other incredibly talented peeps to work with you on your team.

Outsourcing can be downright nerve-wracking at first, so start small. Try an intern. But look for help, and be patient with those people when you do first start hiring and outsourcing. No one knows your business as best as you do at this point, so try to keep that in mind when you’re working with any new team members. Patience and grace can go a long way here!

So, to recap my fellow biz ladies: become a minimalist, batch work alllll the things, and outsource! Focus on trying to implement these three tips into your work life – maybe start with one at a time because, you know, overwhelm!! – and I promise you’ll start to see the stress dissolve like a hot summers day. Trust that analogy, okay?!

XO,
Kate

P.S. – One more thing – only do laundry on Friday night. And make your partner do the folding. Seriously.

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