Self-starters and Bookend Routines
Working for yourself is a blessing and a curse. Obviously, I have the ability to create my own schedule, balance business with adventure and take off for the hills whenever I want. BUT, I'm also the only person holding myself accountable to my work (well, Mike holds me accountable too... but he can't hover over my shoulder 24/7). I have to be a self-starter! I have to manage my time, schedule shoots and events, plan editing time and conference calls. You can't achieve your dreams just sitting on your ass. You have to actually go out there and work for em!
So how do I keep motivated?? Systems and routines.
For today's post, I partnered with my friends at Starbucks (cuz coffee is life), to talk about my bookend routines!
Bookend routines are those things you do to start and end your day.
What get's me out of bed in the morning? I schedule the gym. I actually make appointments in my calendar to ensure I actually go work out. Otherwise I'd just sit on the couch and get fat. So 8:00am most days, I either meet my trainer or hit the gym myself.
After that, I come home, shower and curl right back up in bed. ;P
Another advantage of working from home, my 'desk' can be my bed, couch, coffee shop or the actual desk in the corner of my room. I used to grab a hot coffee, but now that it's getting hot outside, I'm switching over to Starbucks Bottled Iced Coffee. I pick up a handful of them at Walgreens and keep them stocked in the fridge. They're actually really smooth! Not like concentrated cold brew. They're a nice medium roast black coffee from Latin America. I don't like sugar or milk in my coffee, so they're perfect.
Then, I dive into work! Editing pics, responding to emails, waiting for the UPS guy, etc.
I try to schedule most of my meetings and press previews in the later half of the day. That way I can focus on finishing my work before I head into the city. It's especially important when I have nighttime events. That way I'm not running back and forth.
But once that afternoon lull hits, you best believe I'm grabbing another Starbucks Bottled Iced Coffee on my way out the door. Main advantage: I can stow it in my bag, so I'm not trying to chuck it on the train before entering a meeting. It's a lot easier than a plastic cup of coffee, that's for sure.
Starbucks Bottled Iced Coffee is available at Walgreens and Duane Reade everywhere, so grab a few next time you're in and make it part of your routine. I'm a Starbucks addict (literally drink it everyday), so I can't say enough about it. :)
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walgreens. The opinions and text are all mine.