Success Advice
7 Ways I Mastered My Schedule While Managing My Job, My Side Hustle, and Homeschooling During a Pandemic
If you’d like to learn how to gain control of your life during this pandemic so you can get the most out of your days, sign up for the free 90-Day Master Class hosted by the founder of Addicted2Success.com, Joel Brown.
The CoronaVirus pandemic has thrown the world into chaos, for sure. We’re all wearing multiple hats, many of which don’t fit very well. Not only do we have to figure out how to do our in-person jobs virtually and continue to make time for our side hustles, we also have to help our kids with their distance learning.
With all these changes, it’s no wonder we feel like we’re juggling chainsaws on a tightrope over a pit of boiling lava. So now that it looks like this is going to be our reality for quite some time, how can we climb down off the tightrope and start to get control of our schedules again.
1. Utilize block scheduling to organize your day
With a block schedule you break up your days into chunks of time that you dedicate to one particular area of your life. For example, check in with work from 7-9 am, help your child with school work from 9-11am, work some more from 12-2pm, then spend some time on your business from 3-5pm.
Times can shift from day to day to allow you to be flexible for meetings and client calls, or you can have a firm, set schedule and stick to it no matter what. Every family is different and you may have to experiment with what works for you.
Here’s a rough outline of our schedule these days with our 3rd grader:
Mom | Dad | |
7-9am | Morning routine and free time | Morning routine and free time |
9-11am | Help with the kids’ distance learning | Job-related work |
11am-1pm | Job-related work | Help with the kids’ distance learning |
1-3pm | Job-related work | Side hustle work |
3-5pm | Side hustle work | Job-related work |
5-7pm | Job or hustle work | Job or hustle work |
7-9pm | Family time | Family time |
9-11pm | Free time | Free time |
2. Set timers and alarms
One of the most difficult things about our current situation is that there’s no division between work, home, and hustle. Without external cues like driving to and from work, the afternoon meeting, or Karen in accounting’s morning smoke break, it’s easy for time to slide by without notice. A simple alarm or timer can alert you that it’s time to take a break or move on to the next thing on your to-do list.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King
3. Keep the kids busy
Have a stockpile of activities for the kids to do while you have to work. Try to get toys and games that can be set up, played, and put away by the child (or children). The more hands-off you can be, the more focused you can stay, and the quicker you can finish your work. Coloring books, legos, blocks, books, dolls or action figures, and a host of other games can be enjoyed by kids without parental interference. Think of it as creativity training. By using a parental control app you can create better digital habits for your children. These apps can help to create healthier digital lives by allowing only specific approved apps, limiting what images children can share, and setting time limits on usage.
And don’t go crazy over screen time. If your kids are watching more TV or YouTube than usual, it’s okay. Try to have some go-to shows that you know are educational – we love Wild Kratts – but remember this is a season, not a lifetime. Your kids will be fine, even if they go above the AAP’s recommended screen time allowance.
4. Delegate tasks that don’t need to be done by you
For work or business tasks, consider a virtual assistant. There are millions of people who are looking for work with skills that can help make your life easier. For home tasks, get help from your spouse or even the kids – a global pandemic is time for everyone to pitch in. You can also consider outsourcing mealtime with services like Hello Fresh or Blue Apron, or supporting your local restaurants.
5. Set clear, minimal goals
Just because you’re home all the time, doesn’t mean that you have to check every item off your honey-do list. While quarantine might seem like the perfect time to restain the deck, clean out the garage, launch a new service, completely retool your website, and write the great American novel, you are likely just as busy now as you were BC (before Corona), if not more.
Instead of trying to be all things to all people, focus on small successes in each priority area of your life – work, family, and side hustle. For example, rather than reworking your entire website, a smaller goal would be to rewrite your about page.
“You have to set goals that are almost out of reach. If you set a goal that is attainable without much work or thought, you are stuck with something below your true talent and potential.” – Steve Garvey
6. Let your kids help with your job or side hustle
In the time of Corona, every day is Take Your Kids to Work Day! And kids love to help out – my daughter will do anything for a quarter and the title of “assistant.” Some tasks that can easily be handed over to kids are stapling packets, stamping envelopes, and other “menial” tasks that no one likes to do. You can also hand your phone over to your child and ask them to take pictures of you working that you can later use on your website or on social media.
7. Take it one day at a time
Let’s face it. No one prepared for this. Even people with giant bomb cellars and stockpiles of food weren’t prepared for the world we’re currently in. So give yourself and your kids some grace. Some days are going to be great, and you’ll feel like you are owning this quarantine. Others are going to make you feel like a complete failure. In as much as anything is these days, that is normal.
Don’t berate yourself because you miss a deadline, your kids refuse to do any work, or you forget to update your social media postings. You are doing great!
How are you currently handling the coronavirus pandemic? Are you finding that you’re getting a lot done from home? Share your thoughts on it below!
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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog
If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers
Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky.
This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for.
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Understanding Affiliate Marketing
Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works.
Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it.
It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.
How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog
1. Assess Your Niche and Audience
The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:
- Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
- Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.
2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs
Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:
- Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
- Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
- Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.
3. Evaluate the Commission Structure
The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:
- The percentage of commission per sale.
- Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
- The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.
4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness
Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:
- Read reviews from other affiliates.
- Check the program’s history and background.
- Look for any complaints or issues reported online.
5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered
A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.
6. Understand the Terms and Conditions
Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:
- Payment thresholds and methods.
- Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
- The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.
7. Test the Product or Service
If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.
8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities
Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.
Implementing Your Choice
After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:
- Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
- Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
- Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.
Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs.
If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers.
The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice.
With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.
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