If you’re not familiar with “on” and “off” seasons for wedding photographers, I am currently in the middle of my “off-peak” shooting season, which here in the midwest generally ranges from about December-March. The busy season for weddings around here is from about May-October, but April and November usually end up being quite busy for me as well, with couples excited to get their engagement session in after a long winter, or scrambling to get it in before it gets too cold.

While there’s a few weddings here and there during the “off-peak” months, this season has become more of a time to get a lot of “stuff” done that I just didn’t have time for during the busy months! I know that some people are probably wondering what it is I even do in the off-season, so I thought I’d give you a little idea of some of the things that I’ve been working on…

• answering client emails
• booking new clients
• working on album designs
• making sample albums
• creating new workflow systems
• blogging
• updating website
• refining price guide & info for new clients
• working on my taxes with my CPA
• submitting weddings for publication
• reading business and photography related books
• participating in online forums and workshops
• organizing my office
• making new business cards
• furnishing new studio space

Ummm, did you notice that last one on the list?!?!?  That’s right, I am so excited because I recently signed the lease on my new studio space in here in Greenwood! I’m in the process of furnishing it and getting everything set up and I just cannot WAIT to begin meeting with my clients in it!!! (I’ll be sure to share photos of it once it’s all done).

One of the hardest things about running my own business and working for myself (which by the way, I’m the best boss I’ve ever had) is making sure to stay on task and not get distracted during the day! Yes, I have the luxury of being able to control my schedule, go grocery shopping in the morning, and work on laundry throughout the work day, but if I don’t chart out my plan for the day I don’t get near as much accomplished as I could. I can SO easily get distracted by Facebook, Twitter, and those Godvine.com videos that people post that make me cry EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

To help conquer those distractions, I not only keep a daily to-do list, but it’s also a timed to-do list. As in, I list out my daily schedule with the times next to each item that I plan to work on that item for. If I don’t get a particular item completed in that time I move on to the next item and put it back on my list the following day!

So far, this system has worked great for me and has really helped me to be more disciplined. This can work great for any job where you have the freedom to create your own schedule! Here’s how I suggest getting started:

1. Write (or type) everything you can think of that you need to get done (whether it’s this week, this month, this year, etc.). And I mean EVERYTHING you can think of! (This might be a super long list).
2. Make several separate lists that you can organize all of the above items under. I like to use the following: Today’s To-Do’s, Upcoming Tasks (2 weeks-1 month), Long-Term (6-12 months).
3. Keep these lists in a notebook that you look at daily, on your computer, or on a dry-erase board. (I personally prefer a notebook, but any method that will cause you to look at it daily will work).
4. Once you finish a task, cross it off! Helps you to feel more accomplished. :-)
5. Write out each day’s to-do list first thing in the morning, or the night before. Include the time that you are allowing for each item. (i.e. 9:00-10:00, answer emails; 10:00-11:00, work on sample album, etc.) I know where to find tasks to put on my daily to-do list based off of my other lists (i.e. Upcoming Tasks, Long-Term, etc.).

I’ve found that trying to keep to-do lists in my head just causes me to feel overwhelmed! My brain becomes so focused on all that has to get done and without a clear plan, I can easily get stressed out. Getting is all out on paper is the best way to avoid this for me! I also like to reward myself once I’ve completed particular tasks (i.e. go grab some chocolate chip cookies).

I hope this helps or at least gives you some ideas on how to streamline your personal or business related tasks!

P.S.- Please excuse me if I sound like a huge NERD in this post!! I promise in real life I am way cooler. ;-)

Contact Jenna |  Visit the Website |  “Like” on Facebook |  Follow on Twitter |  Subscribe to the Blog