Did you know in addition to my blog I also have a full time career? If you didn’t know, now you do. I was at my old job for 5 years and 11 months and I’ve been at my current job 1 year and my blog just turned 5 years new in November. Balancing a blog and a full time career is something that I’ve been doing because I really enjoy writing, but additionally social media itself is so up and down, my blog provides stability that I need.
My mom, though she had a full time career, ALWAYS made time to be present for me. She was very present and I want that same thing for myself and my future babies as I’m so close to having my first child. Working or full time stay at home mom, blogging will always be something I stay consistent and close with. That said I’m sharing my 6 tips for balancing a blog and full time career.
Balancing a Blog and Full Time Career Looks Like Starting The Project
In order for me to even be in a position of balancing a blog and a full time career, I had to decide that I was ready to start. Before you can balance anything you have to start it. I already knew I was going to build something, but really leaning into it and starting is how I’m still here almost 4 years later.
As of late, due to work having slow moments, but also due to me doing Blogmas, I’ve been spending a lot of time working on my blog while working my job. If there is one thing about me, I’m always doing something, never doing nothing. Saying all of that to say if you just started or if you are on the fence about starting because you have a full time career, the trajectory of what you do and how you stick with it is contingent upon you starting. For me this is my way out, my happy place, so not working on it, isn’t an option.
Discipline
The real way I go about balancing a blog and a full time career is by exercising discipline. I could have sat at my old job and spent all of that time on FB and Instagram aimlessly scrolling.
I could have just been okay with working and it could have ended there and that’s not to say there is anything wrong with simply enjoying work, but like I mentioned in the previous section, there are moments when I experience downtime. I’ve used ALL of that downtime to build and maintain a brand. I don’t know how many hours it adds up to, but discipline set in 5 years ago and thank God it did because without it I probably wouldn’t be refreshing this post. Discipline will get you further than motivation and inspiration will and that’s just facts.
Batch Content
Batch content is key when it comes to balancing a blog and a full time career. Before the pandemic, mornings, weekends and lunch breaks were my main times for creating photo content. I’ve gotten so much better at batching and full time career or not batching your content so you don’t have to “feel like it” every day is the most helpful for achieving that balance.
When I prepared to update my aesthetic and website I knew that I would need a lot of content. I try to get at minimum 100 photos out of every shoot, when I self shoot. If at least 80 are solid then I can use those 80 photos in several ways. For my website, newsletter, social media, story graphics and everything in between. I probably shoot a lot less than people may think, but that’s because I have a full time career.
Planning and Organization for Balancing a Blog and a Full Time Career
Can’t execute without a plan and can’t stay on top of things without being organized. Balancing a blog with a full time career is contingent on me being organized. When it’s time for work, work has to get done. As long as my work is done I give myself the grace to work on something else.
I use a custom planner as well as Evernote to stay organized and on top of things. So far that method has been the best for me. I do have my own form of a editorial calendar; I have designated days for designated content types and that also has worked best as far as being prepared.
Effective Tools and Apps
Balancing a blog and a full time career requires the right tools for productivity which will help make your experience with creating better. Not every tool is for everyone, you should definitely try a few different ones to see what works best for you and your brand.
I’m certainly not perfect and balancing a blog and a full time career definitely wears me out, but I balance it because I want to create a way out for myself. I’m grateful for my income and options to be able to contribute to my household, but having my own outlet is what makes it all worth it for me.
Some Apps I Use:
- UNUM
- Evernote
- GSuite
- VSCO
- In Shot
- Google Calendar
- Flodesk
- Canva
Take Your PTO
Last, but certainly not least, take your PTO. I have been working at home now for 3 years now and even then I still need a break. Is there more flexibility at home to balance my full time career, of course, but it doesn’t mean the workload decreases or anything. Sometimes if I don’t want to wait until the weekend to create or meet someone for lunch, I take a day off and make a whole day of it.
Do what you have to do in order to set yourself up for success. I’m great working with others, but I’m really great working alone because my focus is unmatched.
If you still have a full time career and you’re trying to balance your blog, vlog, personal brand or the like, just keep going. Seek God, make the time, be intentional about it and you can literally make anything happen even while balancing a blog and a full time career.
How are you balancing your time with a full time career?
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