I know a lot of people who are heading into our last week in October thinking, “Where did this year go?”

And I hear that – believe me.

But what echoes even louder between my ears as we tumble into November is, “What do I want the first quarter of 2015 to look like?”

Not because I’m an overachiever. Not because I’m wishing my wonderful time on this earth away.

It’s because I have big plans. And now is the time to set those plans in motion.

After some trial and error with my budding business in 2014, I feel focused and confident running headfirst into the new year.

If you are like me, you want to feel more in control over your time – more spaciousness in your life. I watch some of my clients do this really well – and some, not so much.

It got me thinking that it might help if you took a peek into my own calendar so that you can see how I personally block my own precious time.

Anyone who knows me will attest to the fact that I have a nickname for everyone I am closest to – just ask Ginny R.). It’s my own way of saying, “I love you”, and I think that it developed because there aren’t a whole heck of a lot of nicknames for “Noelle”. It usually sounds something like this – “Nicole” – just the wrong name completely.

PS After years of being called Nicole, I decided to embrace whoever that woman was, and I now lovingly call myself Nikki D. The D. stands for Danger, of course.

I digress.

Nicknames.

Got it.

So anyway, I have nicknames for the people in my life, and nicknames for the days of my week.

Monday – “My Day”. This is the day that I prep for my week. I go over what’s coming up in the next five days and make sure that I have everything that I need to make them successful. Call-in details for client meetings, checks handy for fundraisers, birthday cards for the people I love. I set the week in motion with a look-ahead – to make sure I’ve covered all of my bases so I’m not chasing my tail.

Tuesday – “Team Day”. On Tuesdays, I check-in with the members of my team to see what they are up to, how I can support them, and how our client work is progressing. I make sure that we all have a plan in place so that there is no guessing what we are trying to accomplish before Friday rolls around.

It looks a little like this:

9:30-11 – check-in calls with my team

12-1 – lunch (non-work time)

1-3 – oodles of admin work based on the morning’s check-in calls with my team

Wednesday – “Sales Day”. I spend the morning on the phone with each of my clients – making sure that their idea of success that week aligns with ours. It’s so important to make sure that our expectations are clearly set. Wednesday morning (after I’ve checked in with their respective VA the morning before) is a great time to ensure that happens. In the afternoons, I set aside time to chat with perspective new clients. It gives me an opportunity to peek inside of their businesses to see if we’d be a good fit for one another – and I love hearing what other business owners have up their sleeves. It’s always a good day.

It looks a little like this:

9:30-11 – check-in calls with my clients

12-1 – lunch (non-work time)

1-3 – project calls with potential clients

I have deemed Thursdays and Fridays “Head Down Days” so that I can spend time wrapping up my week, working inside of my own business, and educating myself through the online courses I have invested myself in.

I do not work on the weekends.

And round and round it goes.

For some of you, my calendar outline might sound too strict or rigid. That’s okay – do what works for you, by all means! I’m simply sharing how I not only keep my head above water, but swim strongly across the Channel.

I’d love to hear how you manage your week – I’m always looking for solutions that work for people. Send them to me – who knows who will benefit from learning how YOU work best!