In my last blog post, I shared how my word of the year is sow—a reminder to plant seeds of intention and expectation for the future, whether it’s in my business, relationships, or personal growth. As I reflect on that theme and how I’m living it out this year, one powerful shift I’ve made is in how I approach my time. Time, after all, is currency. It’s a resource we often take for granted, yet how we spend it determines the life we’re building. One of the most significant lessons I’ve learned is how being intentional with my hours and stewarding my time well plays a pivotal role in sowing seeds for success, both in my personal life and business.

Time as Currency: A Lesson from the Classroom

For much of my life, I’ve been in environments where time felt like something I didn’t fully control. When I was a teacher, time often felt like a precious commodity that others took from me. I could set intentions for my day, but I couldn’t always execute them the way I envisioned. The school day was divided into periods of instruction, meetings, and spontaneous tasks that were often out of my hands. As a teacher, I didn’t just teach; I planned, I created, I prepared, and I spent countless hours behind the scenes making sure my students had the best experience possible. But, as I’m sure many of you who’ve worked in the classroom know, those hours spent “invisible” to others often went unnoticed or unappreciated.

And then, there were the meetings—some of which felt like complete formalities. I couldn’t help but count down the minutes, longing to be back in the classroom, using those precious hours to actually move my students (and myself) forward. For me, the disconnect was clear: in a profession that demands so much of our time, I felt like the real work—the creative, heart-driven work—was happening in pockets that didn’t align with the structured time I was given.

That experience was eye-opening. I promised myself that when I moved on to a new career, I would design my days on my own terms. I wanted the flexibility to ensure that every hour of my workday moved my business forward. And so, here I am today, running my web design business, still learning, still growing, but now fully in control of how I spend my time.

Sowing Seeds by Being Intentional with My Time

As a web designer, time is everything. Whether I’m building a new site, engaging on social media, refining my skills, or brainstorming new content, every task I do must have purpose. One of the best ways I’ve found to make the most of my time is by breaking my days up into specific focus areas. I know that if I don’t intentionally organize my time, it can easily slip away, leaving me frustrated and feeling like I didn’t accomplish anything meaningful.

Here are the three main “buckets” of my work that I focus on during the week:

1. Business/Marketing – This is where the behind-the-scenes work happens, like refining my offerings, creating content, and engaging on social media. This area helps me build relationships with my audience and grow my business.
2. Coursework – As much as I’ve honed my skills in web design, I’m still learning. Devoting time to refining my skills ensures I continue to grow and stay competitive in my industry.
3. Design/Client Work – This is where the magic happens! The design work I do for clients or portfolio work when I’m between projects. This is where I get to pour my creativity and technical skills into real-world projects.

By dividing my day into these categories, I ensure that I’m always making progress, no matter what area of my business I’m focusing on. The balance and clarity that comes with this structure allow me to keep a steady forward momentum. At the end of each week, I take time to reflect and set new intentions for the upcoming week. This reflection ensures I’m staying on track and that the tasks I’ve prioritized align with my long-term vision.

The Power of Intentionality: Hal Elrod’s Focus on the Process

One recent podcast I listened to by Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, really resonated with me. In it, he spoke about the importance of prioritizing the process over the outcome. It’s something I’ve been living out for a while now—understanding that it’s not just about crossing off tasks but about making sure the process of my work aligns with my core values and my bigger goals.

This mindset has been a game-changer. I no longer measure my success solely by how many tasks I complete each day, but by how aligned my actions are with the purpose I’m trying to fulfill. Each task, each moment, each hour needs to reflect what matters most to me.

The Simple Power of Writing It Down

One thing I’ve found incredibly helpful in staying intentional with my time is the simple act of writing my tasks down. There’s something rewarding about seeing a task completed and knowing it’s an intentional step toward my larger goals. By doing so, I’m making sure each action is aligned with the process that brings me closer to the outcome I desire.

But the real key is what I do at the end of the day. Before I move on to the next area of focus, I write down what tomorrow’s priority will be. For example, if I finish a module in my coursework, I write “Module 4” as the focus for the next day. This simple habit helps me stay clear about my next step, and when I close my laptop for the day, I can do so with confidence, knowing I maximized my work hours.

Reflecting on Your Own Processes

When you think about your own workday, I encourage you to consider the processes you use and how they help you prioritize what matters most. What can you do today to be more intentional with your time? How can you ensure that every hour spent in your business or personal life is an investment in the direction you want to head? Time, after all, is a precious currency. Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back, and how you spend it ultimately shapes the life you create.

If you’re looking for ways to become more intentional with your time, I’d love to chat! I’m passionate about time, organization, planning, and creating systems that help us be more productive and aligned with our goals. Reach out anytime—let’s talk about how we can maximize your time and move your dreams forward!