3 SIMPLE STEPS TO FIX YOUR OVERWHELMING SCHEDULE
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I remember the moment I made the call.
I was finally quitting my 9-5 job to run my business full-time. No more strict schedules. No more asking for time off. Just total freedom and flexibility.
Or so I thought.
A few months in, I felt less free than ever. Instead of working set hours, I was squeezing in work everywhere – while playing with my kids, making lunch, even while I should have been relaxing.
My schedule wasn’t structured… it was scattered.
If you’ve ever thought, “I just need more time,” I want to share something that changed everything for me…
More time isn’t the solution. Managing it differently is.
Here’s how I reclaimed my time – and how you can do the same.
Many entrepreneurs leave their jobs believing that more time = more freedom. But here’s what actually happens:
Without clear work boundaries, work seeps into every part of your life.
You feel guilty when you’re not working because there’s always something left to do.
You constantly feel behind, no matter how many hours you work.
Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The problem isn’t a lack of time – it’s how you structure it.
So how do you fix it? Start with these three simple steps.
Step 1: Declutter Your Calendar
Freedom doesn’t mean filling every hour with tasks – it means focusing on what actually moves the needle.
Try this today: Spend five minutes doing a quick calendar audit. Look at everything on your schedule and ask:
Does this align with my goals, or is it just keeping me busy?
Can I delete, delegate, or automate any of these tasks?
One small change – removing unnecessary tasks – can create instant breathing room in your day.
Step 2: Set Clear Work Hours
When I first started my business, I worked whenever I had time. But that meant I was always half-working, half-distracted, and never fully present.
The fix? Treat your business like a job – set clear work hours.
Decide when you’ll start and stop working each day.
Stick to those hours (no “just one more email” after dinner!).
Communicate your boundaries to family and clients.
Once I committed to working only between 9 AM and 1 PM, everything changed. I got more done in less time – and finally felt like I had a life outside of work.
Step 3: Plan Your Day the Night Before
Ever sat down to work and wasted the first hour just figuring out what to do? That’s decision fatigue at work.
The fix? Plan your day the night before.
Before you log off each day, do this:
Review your schedule for tomorrow.
Write down your top 3 priorities.
Set up anything you’ll need (notes, links, reminders).
This simple habit saves me hours every week and helps me start the day ready to work – not overwhelmed.
If you’re feeling trapped by your schedule – even though you technically have more time – it’s not your fault. The problem isn’t time itself… it’s how we structure it.
By decluttering your calendar, setting clear work hours, and planning ahead, you’ll finally create the freedom and flexibility you started your business for.
Want more help streamlining your schedule and taking back control of your time?
Inside Beyond Busyness™, I’ll walk you through step-by-step strategies to create a schedule that works for you – not against you.