Ever feel like you’re just a little fish, flopping around all day from meetings to email to that half-ass workout (if that) just to arrive at home in an omg-I-can’t-even-think-about-supper-right-now haze?

Or is that just me?

I used to have my daily shit together. I had a great routine for getting from one task to the other, getting my shit done, and even making it home with enough energy for a quick pot of soup, a #cutekid snuggle, and an episode of Veep. (Seriously, if you haven’t watched Veep yet on HBO, do it. It’s the most clever show on television, I’m sure.)

And then my life and biz shifted with growth, like it should, and I’ve had a hard time readjusting.

Now, as the smart boss lady that I know that I am, I know that to get out of this forgetful haze of shit-what’s-next, I just need to sit down and define my ideal day. I need to map out what a day in the life of me at this moment will look and feel like. I need to get my shit back together to prepare for that next phase of growth.

And today, folks, you’re going to help me do that.

CORE DESIRED FEELING

To begin, I’m going to go all Danielle LaPorte on your ass and bring up your Core Desired Feeling.

(If you haven’t checked out Danielle’s book The Desire Map then a) where the hell have you been? and b) check it out.)

How do you want to feel?

Me?

I want to feel FREEDOM.

I want the freedom to live and work exactly as I want. I want freedom from worry and stress. And I want the freedom my soul feels when I help others find their own freedom.

That’s what I’m working for.

DEFINE WHAT’S IMPORTANT

In order to turn a Core Desired Feeling into an ideal day, you have to figure out the things that are important for you to get to where you want. For me, the important things are these:

• Self-care + wellness
• Friends + family (aka not being a workaholic hermit)
• Business growth

SELF-CARE + WELLNESS

The longer I’m in this game, the more I realize that I cannot ever work at my highest capacity (or anywhere near it) if my physical and mental being aren’t primed and ready to go.

I know that sounds so cliché, but I’m finding it to be more and more true.

The more I take care of myself, the more I can take care of everyone else.

For this reason, I have been adding lots of self-care to my daily activities, but I still need to work it into my daily routine so that I can’t talk myself out of going to the gym. I need to put it in my routine so it’s another one of those auto-pilot functions of my day that doesn’t even get thought about, just done.

What this may look like: morning alone time, workin’ on my fitness, meditating, making time to eat more healthfully

FAMILY + FRIENDS (AKA NOT BEING A WORKAHOLIC HERMIT)

Family has always been SUPER high on my list. I’ve always been very proud of how well I keep work (especially email) from creeping into my life “after hours.” That doesn’t mean that I couldn’t do a better job.

On the other hand, my other personal relationships (and even some non-client professional ones) have taken a back seat. Though you won’t be seeing me clocking out for daily lunch dates with girlfriends (omg, that stresses me out just thinking about it), I think I should certainly make going beyond the house and the studio a priority.

You know, so I don’t become a pasty-skinned, unsocialized hermit.

And I want to get back to having time to be inspired in the kitchen so that my family doesn’t have to resort to turkey wraps quite as often and we can enjoy dinners together again.

What this may look like: very lazy Saturdays, weekly grocery shopping, room in my schedule for catching up with friends and making new ones, scheduled time to eat

BUSINESS GROWTH

Business growth will remain a huge priority on my list for many years to come. Better work out these kinks now, right?

The great thing about our growth is that I’ve found it relatively easy to step into my boss-lady role of CEO of Indie Shopography. In just a few short months I have worked with my team to create so many systems for making the studio function very well. Sure, we have a way to go, but I’m already finding myself less bogged down by email, daily client maintenance, and calendar management, and I have more availability for doing lots of other things for my business.

For the moment, a priority for business growth for me is marketing, networking, and outreach. My team is taking care of all of the rest.

What this may look like: allotted time for social engagement, time to write (blogs, newsletters, social posts, etc), time for planning and implementing all of my amazing ideas!, clear meeting availability guidelines, a more structured workday

Remove the Extra

Now that I have defined all of the things that I know need to find their way into my schedule, the key is to remove all of the other things. Luckily for me, I try to stay on top of delegating things out that I don't want to or cannot do.

But, I also know that most people struggle with delegating, which is why I'm throwing this in here.

In order for you to build your ideal day, you are going to have to get comfortable asking for help.

Or else your "ideal day" will be filled with things like cleaning the toilet, answering mountains of emails, or just not bothering getting out of bed because who wants to do all that crap? And this, truly, is not how most people will reach that Core Desired Feeling, am I right?

What this may look like: hiring someone to clean your house, finding a laundromat that will do your laundry for you, get a virtual assistant to help you with menial daily business tasks, set up your website to better filter leads (check out this episode of Being Boss for tips)

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This is a bit of a reorganization for me. For several years business growth has held that top priority pretty constantly. And too often self-care hasn’t even been on the list. But that, folks, is called the hustle, and a vicious learning-curve on my part.

But, as I get more experience in this entrepreneur world, and I itch to take the leap from cute little business owner to seriously badass entrepreneur, this is where I know I need to focus anew, so focus I will.

Later this week I’ll be back to actually turn this into an ideal day that can become my new routine.

Because a routine is what will ensure that I can reach ultimate freedom and happiness in where I currently am in my life.

And that, guys, is just what we need to keep on rockin’ it.

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