Hey Friends!
If you've been around here for a while, you've heard me talk about the CEO Date, the Model Calendar, and the Pomodoro Method.
If you're new here; welcome!
And for my OGs...you're probably thinking, "Not this again. Marsha needs some new content." π
But bear with me. I've been using these strategies since 2019 when they were first introduced to me by a business coach.
That's seven years.
This newsletter has only been around for about 18 months, and while I've shared these ideas before, I'm not convinced everyone truly understands how powerful they are.
Here's why...
My husband lives with me.
He's heard me talk about CEO Dates, time blocking, and the Pomodoro Method for years. He's watched me use them every week.
Last week... He finally decided to give them a try. π€―
I know. It only took him 7 years.
For the past nine months I've listened to him say he had too much to do, not enough hours in the day, needed another day in the week, and had been working seven days a week.
Meanwhile, I'm over here trying to be the supportive wife...listening, nodding, gently nudging when inside all I wanted to do was scream.
Last Thursday morning he admitted he was anxious before settling into his work day.
"What if these strategies don't work? Then what?"
Well... They worked.
For the first time in nine months, he took a full day off.
He fit in three runs.
He woke up without the lower back pain he'd been living with.
Nothing magical happened.
He simply stopped reacting to his week and started leading it.
That's why I keep talking about these things and perhaps this time, you will also try it.
They're not productivity hacks.
They're habits that protect the three resources every business owner has a limited supply of:
Your Time.
Your Energy.
Your Money.
Tips, Tools & Takeaways for Designers
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3 Ways to Streamline Your Business This Week
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Protect Your Time with a CEO Date
If you don't intentionally schedule time to work on your business, your clients will happily fill every available hour.
One hour each week can completely change the direction of your business.
Ask yourself:
β"What does my business need from me this week?"
βnotβ
"What does everyone else need from me?"
I've created a weekly, monthly, quarterly planner with simple, practical planning pages
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Protect Your Energy with a Model Calendar
Decision fatigue is real.
Instead of deciding every morning what deserves your attention, decide once.
Assign days for marketing.
Client work.
Admin.
CEO work.
Your calendar should reflect your priorities, not your interruptions.
Bonus points if you use ChatGPT or Claude to create this for you and then import directly into your calendar app of choice. I showed my husband how to do this and he had his calendar set up in 20 minutes.
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Protect Your Money by Understanding Your Numbers
This is where I have to be honest.
Every week I work with designers on systems, workflows, pricing, boundaries and creating businesses they love.
But I also see the uncertainty around money.
I see designers avoiding their numbers because they're overwhelming.
I don't believe I'm the right person to teach this at the depth it deserves.
That's why I continue learning from April Stroink and why I invited her to teach our community.
When my husband and I worked with April after two moves in nineteen months nearly derailed our businesses, she helped us completely change the way we approached money.
When Wealthcare 101 opened earlier this year, joining again was an easy yes.
If understanding your finances is the missing piece, I'd love for you to join us.
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2 Resources to Check Out
π Schedule Your CEO Date
Open your calendar before you close this email.
Block one uninterrupted hour this week.
Protect it like your best client meeting.
Because it is.
π Register for Wealthcare 101
If you've been avoiding your numbers, this is the resource I recommend without hesitation.
β Starts Tuesday, June 23
β 12:00β1:30 PM EST
β 8 weeks
β Live with April Stroink and Me
This cohort is exclusively for the designers in our community, creating a safe place to ask questions, build confidence, and finally feel empowered around your finances.
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1 Question for You
π€ Which resource have you been protecting the least lately?
β° Your time?
β‘ Your energy?
π° Your money?
Hit reply and tell me.
I read every email, and I'd genuinely love to know.
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One last thought....
As I finish writing this, I'm smiling because my husband is proof that it's never too late to try something different.
One week of intentionally protecting his time changed how he felt physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Imagine what intentionally protecting your time, your energy, and your money could do over the next year.
You don't need to change everything this week.
Just take the next right step.
Block your CEO Date.
Create your Model Calendar.
And if understanding your numbers has been the thing you've been avoiding, let this be the season you change that.
I'm cheering you on every step of the way.π
Have a wonderful week,β
Marsha
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