Time management for self-publishers - The Plan

I am thankful to each and every one of my clients. Thank you.

As promised here is the time management for self publishers plan I would like to share with you. Several years ago I used this method, and had tremendous success with getting things done.

Recently I revisited the method I used and this is the plan I now have in place, and hope that you'll find it useful...

1. The first thing I looked at was my realistic time I have available (both for my client work, and my own writing). I say realistic, because although I have about 4 hours available (from getting home from work until going to bed), it isn't practical to use all this time for work and writing. To be honest, I just don't have the urge to work around the clock anymore. Besides burn-out, it would also mean I have no time for my wife and family (and relaxing).

2. On determining how much time I had, I wanted to make sure I would use the time productively, and be able to focus on the tasks I had to do.

My time allocation is thus...

Monday to Friday: 1.5 hours (client work), and 1 hour (my writing).
Saturday & Sunday: 3 hours for each day (client work/writing) - subject to social commitments (family do sometimes come and visit).

This will give me about 8 hours a week for my writing (subject to client work).

3. In order to utilize the time productively, I will be using an old fashioned timer, and work strictly within the allocated time.

4. In order to prioritize my time and focus on the required tasks that need to be done, I made a list of every task that is needed for my next 2 books.

5. I subscribe to several blogs and newsletters so that I stay up to date with what's going on in the self-publishing world. And now, instead of reading these every day, I will use part of my Sunday time to catch up. I've also un-subscribed from lower value blogs and newsletters.

This is my plan, which I believe to be a realistic one. Looking at  it since I began following it, it's working very well so far.

I trust that you will give it a try and also benefit from this method.

A great little book is Brian Tracy's Eat That Frog.

Eat That Frog (hard copy version)

Eat That Frog (Kindle version)

Do you have a time management you use? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below.