I’ve been writing my blog alongside working full time for the past 4 years. With blogging I think from the outside it can look quite easy. As I’m sure you’re aware, it’s never just the blog posts you’re writing. Not many realise it’s everything else that comes with maintaining and promoting a blog too that takes up precious time.
There’s a few tips I’ve picked up along the way that I thought I would share. It’s what’s truly helped me continue to run my blog while working full time. Also, I know everyones full time employment is different. To give you a bit of context I leave the house around 8 and get home around 5.45, Monday to Friday. This leaves me with weekends and the time either side of that are what I have to play with.
One thing I’ve found this past year is that I’m most productive in the mornings. I love having an hour before work to get on with the small tasks. Things like replying to comments, thinking of content ideas or editing the blog photos I took the weekend before. I would say between 6am-7am is my most productive hour no matter what I’m working on. After work I can just about squeeze an hour or so in for anything blog related, but that’s usually it unless there’s a deadline I need to meet for a sponsored post. It doesn’t work for me to sit at my desk all night after doing the same in work all day. I figured this out just by noticing when I want to blog, and I’ve stuck with it and it’s become a part of my routine.
Having said that, I do think having a bit of self-love is key. I’m not going to beat myself up if one morning I fancy a little longer in bed, or get sucked into watching tv with my breakfast before work. Balance is everything, and as much as I want my blog to flourish, I also have a career outside of that I’m trying to grow too!
There have been so many times that my lack of organisation has let me down (I’ve been out to shoot content without my camera more than once, seriously…). I quickly realised everything counts when you’re limited on time. I’ve started making checklists for YouTube videos, all of the camera equipment I need if I’m going out to take photos. Basically anything that requires me to have things ready for a certain time, I’ve got a checklist.
Another thing that’s helped me is keeping a monthly calendar. I write down absolutely everything even if it’s not blog related and just by quickly scanning I can see where I have the time to do things and where I don’t.
The main thing is keeping on top of things and working on my blog every single day. That way I chip away at it slowly and it just feels more manageable to me. If I arrive at work even 15 minutes early I’ll quickly reply to an email or two, or reply to Instagram comments while I have the chance.
I know Marie Kondo is everywhere at the moment, but I’ve got to say, I agree with most of what she says. Having an organised work space and a proper home for everything saves so much time for me too, and it’s something I’ve started to full embrace. When you’re organised day to day, it helps out when it comes to blogging while working full time – trust me.
Anyone else find they’re more productive when there’s the urgency to get things done? I know I definitely am. When there’s no urgency to get stuff done I find myself slipping into being unproductive, rather than actually doing something of use.
From this I’ve recognised I thrive in a work like environment, and actually I’m most productive in a coffee shop or space where everyone else is working. When I’m surrounded by other people it gives me the push I need to actually crack on, whereas at home there’s always 10 other things I could be doing.
My phone is another thing that’s a massive hinderance on my productivity. I’ll reply to a text then before I know it I’m scrolling through Kylie Jenners best friends aunties dogs instagram account (yep, that’s the first thing that came into my head). Now I leave my phone in another room or stick it on airplane mode. If I’ve got a tight deadline and really need to smash through it, that way I have no distractions.
Read more: 5 Tips for a More Productive Day
The comparison bug definitely comes and goes for me, and sometimes I think it affects me without even realising. What helps me is to try and remember that everyone’s situation is different. The only way to improve is by looking at my own work and understanding what I can do better, not what someone else is doing.
I think another thing that comes with this is staying true to myself, an example of this for me is IGTV/ styling videos trend on Instagram. I love style and creating fashion content but I know that those videos aren’t something I want to create, so I’m simply not going to do them. It sounds obvious but in this industry it’s easy to do things just because you’ve seen someone else do it, it quickly gets boring trying to be something you’re not.
I’m in a fortunate position where my blogging isn’t my full time job. I have no pressure to earn and I’m able to turn down paid work if it doesn’t sit right with me. I create content simply because I enjoy it and comparing it to others quickly takes that away. As I said, I think it’s just one of those things that comes and goes, but self belief is all you need (and a laptop, phone, editing apps… but that’s a blog post for another day)
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to blogging, or how you want to manage it alongside everything else. It’s what works best for you and my main feeling with it all is that I’ll continue doing it while it feels enjoyable. It’s all about balance, managing time and prioritising, with lots of coffee thrown in too.
Photos by Laura Taylor
How do you manage working alongside blogging?
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You are so inspiring babe! YOU GO GIRL!
x Lisa | lisaautumn.com
Awww thanks so much Lisa!
I really admire your determination! It’s so impressive how you manage to do both! ❤️
Arianna | Southernbelleforever.com
Thank you Arianna, it’s definitely not easy all of the time haha!
These tips are SO important. Used to run my blog and working full time in an office at the same time. It wasn’t easy but it CAN go really smoothly! Thanks for these tips 🙂
Hannah / Words & Latte
Thank you Hannah, definitely can run smoothly if there’s a good balance!
I have found I’m so productive in the mornings too, and have been spending more time before work getting blog bits done. I still feel like sometimes I have loads of content ideas, and other times I have none, so that’s a balance I’m trying to nail! xx
Jessie | jessie-ann.co.uk
I’m exactly the same when it comes to ideas, one day I’ll have the loads and the next nothing, I guess it’s just focusing on the good days and trying to find a balance with it all like you said!
I definitely needed this! I blog as much as I can while also working a full-time job, and working part-time as a freelance writer…it’s a lot to handle. I definitely try to make the most of the slow weeks, and just remind myself that I can only do so much. It’s great to see someone else trying to stay motivated and productive!
-Georgia | http://www.thestatesofgeorgia.com
Ahh that is a lot to handle, exactly you really can’t over do it! x
I’m the same! But luckily my job is quiet flexible as I sometimes finish early if all the jobs are done so I have more time in the evenings to do things! Instagram I do in the mornings and blogging/YouTube I tend to do in the evenings! Loved reading this by the way!
Isobel x
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That’s so good that you have that flexibility, definitely helpful! Sounds like a good process 🙂 Thank you Isobel x
I love this post so much. I think a huge amount of blogging is knowing what works for you and owning that instead of thinking about what you should be doing. I took me ages to realize that I created better content when I posted just once a week than 3 times! Definitely something to chalk up to experience.
xoxo
Jess
The Crown Wings | UK Travel & Lifestyle Blog
Thank you Jess, so glad you loved it. Definitely got to own it, I completely agree x
I absolutely love this post and your tips! This has encouraged me to try and fit some blogging and instagram time into my mornings before work. When I get home in the evening, I rarely feel like getting my laptop out so this could really help!
Claire | rose-tinted.com
thank you so much! Glad you loved it 🙂 mornings are definitely a good time for me!
Great tips Jodie Melissa. I work full time too with a blog on the side. I found being organised for is the best way to stay productive. I recently wrote about 10 apps I use for blogging. Find the rights tools has made blogging life much easier and consistent too.
Thank you Anika, glad you think so! Yes routine is so important x
I think that it is all about getting into a routine that works for you is wonderful!
Danielle xx
https://www.fashionbeautyblog.co.uk/
Definitely!
Wonderful post and great tips! yepp managing your blog and working full time can be stressful! Being organized is key and setting time aside to focus helps! My productive time is usually Sunday mornings and I also do a lot of scheduled posts so that I can have a consistent post schedule!!
Thank you! That’s such a good idea, I need to schedule posts more but I find that quite difficult, definitely something for me to work on so I have a more consistent routine
I find it so hard to blog alongside a full time job but these tips are definitely something I’ll take on board, especially the putting my phone out of reach one! Xxx
http://www.sophielaura.co.uk
So glad to hear it Sophie, I hope they are helpful! Hiding my phone definitely works haha
I work full time too and it was hard to keep up with my blog work in the beginning. I think I found a schedule that works for me now though 🙂 Thanks for sharing this! xx
http://www.anacelinelabod.com
Really glad to hear that Ana, thank you 🙂
Honestly, I find working every day and trying to keep consistent on the blog SO hard. I have no idea why! I think I need to start really trying to put my all into having a consistent blogging schedule and see if it’s something that I can stick to. I am awful for getting home from work and lolloping around on the sofa for a couple of hours.. You seem like you’ve got the balance just right and I seriously need to take a leaf out of your book xo
Char | http://www.charslittleblog.co.uk
I definitely do that too though, it is really difficult it find the balance isn’t it? Especially after a long day in work. I’ve recently started using a photographer and that’s helped massively because I actually have images to post!
Honestly I needed to read this blog post.
You’re so right about so much in this blog. Being organise is a benefit but doesn’t come naturally to us all, so blogging and working full time is going to be a struggle.
For years I’ve felt like I’m not doing enough for my blog and I should be doing more, but you’re completely right when you say working full time and blogging gives you much more freedom. I’ve honestly never looked at it that way before!
Love this post- I’ve definitely forwarded it on to a few friends.
Thank you for commenting Em! There’s no rule book with it, do as much or as little as you need to be happy 🙂