20151201

Organisation Tips | Blogging, Life, Work & Being Productive


If you keep up with my more lifestyle-y posts, you’ll probably know that I’m spinning a fair few plates in life. A few people have asked how I do it so I though I’d share an updated set of tips on how I work my schedule, as it has definitely become far busier since I last talked to you about it!

At the moment I’m on a graduate scheme; I’m split between two teams, doing work for both areas and travelling with work at least 2-4 times a month. I also have internal exams alongside professional qualifications to study for. On top of that I’m in a long-distance relationship and obviously need time to relax and spend time with friends and family.

Decide How Much You Can Do

Sure, it’s possible to post daily even with my lifestyle. However, would I have time to do anything else? Would it be of the quality I strive for? Probably not! Everyone is different; you need to just figure out your personal capacity. If blogging ever feels like work or if you’re neglecting other areas of your life, you should probably take a step back and assess if you’re over-committing yourself. I honestly think that as long as you’re consistent, it’s not a big deal if you only post once a week, for example. Just set your own rhythm that you’re comfortable with.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Whether it’s taking Instagram photos at the weekend (when there’s daylight!), scheduling tweets, planning the next month or so’s posts in my calendar or anything else, when you don’t have a huge amount of time but still want to put out regular content; planning and scheduling are key. Generally I plan in posts around a month in advance and I take my blog photos in bulk for the forthcoming fortnight on the weekends. Making lists and knowing what you have coming up and ticking off the various steps (photography, text, checking links etc.) is the best way to stay organised and be productive with limited time. I also usually have a contingency post or two drafted just in case anything goes wrong, so I have content to go up.

Be Productive On-the-Go

If you want to, you can be productive just about anywhere. It can be commenting on other blogs and joining Twitter chat on the bus home from work using your smartphone, writing up the text for your blog posts on your laptop whilst on the train or flicking through a magazine over your lunch break for some inspiration. Sometimes you do just want to relax but if you’re bored on your commute there are so many things you can do towards your blog to pass the time.

Prioritise

As much as it pains me to say it, in life my blog would probably be the first thing to go. My career and my relationships will always be the most important ways to spend my time. If I know I have exams coming up I’ll make sure I’ve scheduled posts well in advance and hold off on answering blog comments, joining chats and so on. I also make sure I’m not planning some epically long post during that time! At the end of the day, life comes first and even with all the planning in the world, sometimes your blog will suffer. You’re only human! You should never feel guilty for spontaneously going out for dinner instead of staying in to work on your blog!

Relax

I’m someone who likes to be busy and I tend to thrive when I have lots to do, but even I realise I need to put aside time to relax. Generally it will be Sunday evenings for me, but I’m trying to set aside at least 20 minutes every night for this kind of stuff. I burn my favourite candle, have a nice long bath with some fancy products, do a face mask, read a book and just have some me time where I feel pampered and content.


What are your top tips for juggling blogging with the rest of your life?

 



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34 comments

  1. Sometimes people think blogging it's a five minute job! It can take me half a day just to write one post (including taking pictures etc) .
    Me too I try to plan in advance especially when I am inspired so I always have back up posts when I am in a stage where I don't have the time to blog or mostly when I have no inspiration. (Having said that sometimes I have no back up posts and no inspiration , ouch ! so usually I try not to panic and just have some time off from blogging for a week or so until my inspiration comes back!! xx

    Great post !!! :)

    http://allornothing-blog.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Yeah it's always a good plan to have something you can put up :) xx

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  2. I love all of your points! I would like to think I am relatively organised but I could be better, I think I need to start planning Instagram posts so I can improve my feed. -xo

    chloedanielle.co.uk

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  3. I totally feel you as I am in a similar situation. Full time work, study, qualifications, long distance, family abroad and all the works. I love my blog to bits but I really only post when I can and I realise many people don't mind because they understand!! Just do your thing and thanks for sharing!! Good luck on all the plates you are spinning...xx

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  4. Ive found with the weather changing and it getting a lot darker planning when to take pictures is the hardest. I miss bright days. I miss the sun. lol I am having to plan to take pictures in bulk when it is nice now, compared to over summer when I would just do it when needed.

    http://www.makeerinover.co.uk

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  5. I am literally the worst at organising myself!!! I seriously need to sort it out haha! Great post babe!

    Zoe Newlove Beauty Blogger & MUA

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  6. I think every point you've mentioned is equally important although planning is definitely something I need to get better at. For some reason I tend to just do whatever I do as it happens for my blog and I really do need to set up a better schedule!
    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

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    1. It's always a nice feeling to have stuff pre-planned :) xx

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  7. Some great points in there, I must admit that I am struggling lately to keep up with everything and sometime think that I put too much pressure on myself. But like you I would have to drop the blog if needed. But I think some time off over Christmas will enable me to catch up again :)

    Pams Stuff and Things

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  8. Planning is key for me too! Thanks for sharing your tips with us!

    xo, Liz
    http://lipstickandconfetti.com

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  9. I struggle so much with taking a photo before the sun goes down. Thanks for the tips - I'll do some pre-post photography this weekend :) xx

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  10. I find writing/blogging isn't the hard part, but sometimes sourcing royalty-free images and crediting them is (my blog has a variation of topics). It's especially difficult if you have other commitments e.g. kids, full-time jobs, social events.

    I think sometimes it does help to space tasks out over a few days, instead of trying to get it all done in one go. You're likely to have better quality posts/pics as well.

    - Lubna | The Digital Review

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    1. I guess it's a different type of blog :) for me it would be impossible to blog regularly if I didn't take bulk photos. The writing bit is definitely the 'easiest' part as I can do that anytime anywhere xx

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  11. I agree. I have a very busy lifestyle -- working two jobs, usually 8-11 hours a day, 6 to 7 days out of the week. I'm a very busy girl. I've found that keeping a small notebook with me at all times is really helpful for planning upcoming posts. If I'm not by a computer I'll write down little notes and go from there, as most of my ideas come right while in the middle of a million other things.
    Taking photos around this time of year is so hard -- it's always dark. I hadn't thought of taking photos in bulk, though. I think that's an excellent idea.

    -Alex
    A Northern Light

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  12. These kinds of posts are so great to read! It reminds you that it is okay to be a person with a life. When blogging isn't your full time job it is sometimes hard to balance. Lovely job.
    http://www.lipstickisalife.com/

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  13. I am such an unorganised person and I can't plan anything. I always think about but thinking about it doesn't mean anything, so this is something I should change about myself. I am in a long distance relation too and also working full time, it is really hard to focus on blogging. At least recently I've started doing something for the blog on my way to work, so I have less to the in the evenings. x

    www.elabellaworld.com

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  14. I bought a clipboard tick list from Paperchase recently and I swear it's made me more productive! Writing lists for me is definitely key - I forget everything! And taking photos in bulk is also a huge help! You are doing so well with content/commenting etc especially with everything going on with work etc!

    Danielle's Beauty Blog

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  15. I'm normally quite bad at getting into a routine so I've been trying to change that. I think to do lists help me so that I don't end up forgetting everything and brainstorming what I want to do :)

    Velvet Blush | Beauty Giveaway

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    1. Lists are great :) so helpful to know what you need to do and when for xx

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  16. I'm really impressed how organised you are, Jasmine! Although I do keep my schedule consistent I struggle with planning in advance, need to work on that :) x

    Mummy’s Beauty Corner

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  17. This post was very helpful! I always struggle with finding time for my blog and especially now that it's getting darker outside, I really only have time on the weekend to take photos. Hopefully this post will make it a lot easier!

    X Marjolein
    http://misscocoblue.blogspot.com

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  18. I love planning and scheduling future posts it makes me feel so organised and also gives me much needed breathing space when I have things like exams/vacations. Great post Jasmine <3

    Check out my Sephora giveaway!
    http://www.abigailalicex.com

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  19. Wow, I'm impressed at how much you're handling at the moment! Great tips here! xx

    Beautylymin

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  20. Great tips! I am so amazed at the amount of stuff you handle in your personal life whilst still being consistent on the blog - hats off to you! It's something I'm finding so hard to do at the moment! I definitely fail when it comes to getting organised and planning things in advance but I am trying to get better at it... work in progress! xx

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    1. Hopefully if you can then you'll find yourself struggling a little less :) xx

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  21. Wow it definitely sounds like you're juggling a lot of plates in your personal life, huge props to you for managing everything and keeping your blog running so seamlessly! I have to agree that the biggest thing is planning, I try to always plan what needs to be done for each blog post in advance and I also like to make sure I have a few back up posts incase anything goes wrong, you never know!

    www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au

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  22. I really need to organize my time, my life, I'm always doing things at the last moment. Even though my life is half as busy as yours, still, it's all over the place. Kudos to you for being so active and well organized.

    Sam || Beautydetour

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  23. Planning is key when you work and want to blog, every weekend I look at a what posts need photos for and during the week when I have a bit of time I'll write posts but I never force it, as soon as I feel like my writing has started to slow down and I'm struggling to think what to put I know this is a stopping point for me as the content will not sound great

    I've also been taking part in blog chats a lot more on Twitter and just love them

    Leanne | www.oohsimplething.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Twitter chats are the one thing I've had to cut back on lately which makes me sad as I love talking with everyone and learning new things! xx

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  24. I'll admit since starting my job I cannot get organised at all and I'm still trying to balance everything so it can be done but it's definitely hard. Going to take some of these tips on board though :) x

    Jordan | Keep Dreaming

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  25. Thank you :) and yeah I always feel it's best to do what you can without compromising on quality, whether it's once a week or twice a day! And Pages is a lifesaver when I'm on my iPad xx

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  26. Thank you for your comments :) it's always interesting to hear how people balance all the different aspects of their life xx

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  27. Scheduling and having my blog ideas in a spreadsheet definitely helps x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness x

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  28. This was so helpful, I juggle blogging with my FT job, PT uni and seeing family/boyfriend. It's not the easiest but I don't think I couldn't blog. Well unless anything else crops up and takes over. Scheduling is definitely key, I've only just started keeping a spreadsheet of my scheduled posts to try and organise myself and it's been so helpful. I do a lot on my phone too when commenting on blogs as I try to squeeze it in between other things. It's so helpful to see how other people do it xx

    Tamz | http://www.throughneweyesx.com

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