Mastering Your Schedule Tips from a Virtual Assistant

Ever feel like your schedule is out of control? Perhaps your productivity is way down because you are trying to juggle a million things. Like that work from home Zoom, home schooling and needing to cook dinner since we can't go out to eat now.

I am a terrible multitasker. For a long time I thought it was cool or beneficial to be good at it. Then I realized that multitasking really means that you aren't excelling in any areas. My friend Tara Titsworth is a virtual assistant and has learned how to make the most of each minute of the day through time blocking. If you are cringing at the thought of having your whole day scheduled Tara believes it has actually given her MORE flexibility.

This is a snapshot of what her schedule looks like. Tara puts EVERYTHING on the calendar. From coffee dates to drive time to the blocks that she will be working with her different virtual assistant clients it is all on there. Tara is pretty adamant that everything has to go on the calendar because she has found that if it doesn't get scheduled it doesn't get done.

Tara's Weekly Schedule

Now I also am a "timeblocker." But let's be clear my time blocked calendar looks more like a bunch of chicken scratch in a paper planner. Yet on the days that I sit down and plan out my day I get WAY more done. I promise giving time blocking is worth a shot.

On this Squad Life Episode Tara Shares:

• how to effectively organize your day
• how she overcame fears and launched her virtual assistant business
• who should be using a virtual assistant

Tara has also graciously put together a sample time blocking worksheet that you can access here.

Tara's Favorites
IG: @tarasheatheva
Books: Girl Wash Your Face and Present Over Perfect 
Squad: Darcie at GreenBitesProject and @bemindfulmarketing
Make Up: Buxom Lip Gloss in White Russian

Receive $15 off Tara's Foundations Virtual Assistant Course with the code SQUADLIFE.

Adopt a Healthcare Worker here.

If you loved this episode make sure you are signed up for my weekly newsletter. Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

Work From Home Essentials

For almost 10 years I have had a work from home gig. First in a corporate setting, and then again when I left my job to work for myself. When I asked my husband what you "need" to work from home also know know as WFH, he said "Internet and a printer." Thanks for the help Jon. While that might be true there are a few creature comforts that I love having in my home office.

1. & 1A. | 2. | 3. | 4. 

5. | 6. | 7. | 8.

1. Ring Light aka Selfie Light: I'm telling you go ahead and get one. The chances are you are going to be on a LOT more video conferencing calls. This is the light that you need to give you the perfect "I don't want to spend time on my make up" glow. Whether you go with the larger size or a smaller version that sits on your desk a ring light is worth it.

2. Softest Loungewear: Let's be real. Us "work from homers" are the queens of casual workwear. We have been showing up to Zoom calls business on top, pjs on the bottom for years. These pjs are my absolute favorite and they come in lots of different combinations of long sleeve/short sleeve, shorts/pants. Buy a pair to sleep in and a pair to work in.

3. Yeti Mic: Not a necessity, but if you want to amp up your sound quality or launch you podcast now that you have all this extra time this is the mic for you.

4. Blanket: I have two different colors of this particular blanket and I love them. My tip is go for the twin size instead of a lap blanket for ample coverage.

5. Lavish Hand Cream: Since I am washing my hands about a bizillion times more hand cream is a must. I also love this on because of its beautiful lemon smell. It feels like a little midday spa treatment.

6. Foamer: Since you now wear all the hats including at home barista you are going to nee a foamer. It will change your latte life.

7. Insulated Cup: It's about treating yourself to the little things, right? These cups keep hot things hot, and cold things cold for three hours. And it's pretty, and that matters.

8. Notebooks: Whether you are documenting your new normal, brainstorming a new business plan or just need to take notes during the morning virtual staff meeting give your notebooks a refresh.

What did I miss? What has made your new WFH life a little better?

If you need a weekly pick me up make sure you tune into the Squad Life podcast on iTunes or Spotify to hear the stories of small town girls doing big things. 

This post contains affiliate links, but I wouldn't share it if I didn't LOVE it. 

Squad Life: How to Get Involved in Your Community with Molly Knuth

Small towns can be an interesting place. I mean a lot of us LOVE our small towns. A lot of us feel lost in our small town or feel like it has nothing to offer. Molly Knuth is a small town Iowa girl who not only is working to make the town of Cascade a better place to live, but she is also growing her social media marketing company her small town.

Molly and I both agree that when it comes to living in a small town getting involved is a two way street. You have to be willing to put yourself out there, try new things, put some elbow grease into a project. On the flip side if you have been a resident in your town or community for a long time it can be easy to get stuck in your ways without realizing it. To outsiders or newcomers it can feel like there is a wall up even though that may not be your intention.

I can't wait to hear your thoughts about this week's episode. Remember if you share on social be sure to tag me @crystalcattle.



Molly's Recommendations:
Book: Rachel Hollis Girl, Wash Your Face
Squad: Sweat Inspire Sisterhood
Make Up: Covergirl Mascara

Carilynn's Favorites:
Squad: @seriouslysabrina, Jen Hatmaker, Danielle Hayden, Sheriden Wimmer 
Make Up: Wet and Wild Megalast Catsuit Lipstick in Rebel Rose
Book: Michelle Obama Becoming 

If you loved this episode make sure you are signed up for my weekly newsletter. Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.

Squad Life: When Chip Gaines Calls You with Carilynn Coombs

Imagine driving in your old truck, down a dusty Kentucky road. The windows are rolled down because the A/C doesn't work and you've got two kids in the backseat.

Now imagine while you are in this situation Chip Gaines calls your cellphone. It happened to my friend Carilynn Coombs. Two years ago Carilynn and her family, who are third generation dairy farmers, found themselves in the worst scenario possible. They lost their milk contract and couldn't find another. That meant the cows had to go. In 90 days they lost their business, and then Chip Gaines called.

Now I don't want you to think that Chip and Joanna magically solved all of the Coombs family business problems. These are hardworking, "we'll figure it out" kind of people. As Carilynn puts it "if you have enough fight in you, you can do exactly what you want."

However, through a unique partnership between the Coombs family and the team at Magnolia there is a new business plan in place. First the Jericho Farmhouse ice cream trailer, then a farm store where you can buy products direct from the farmer, and one day a dairy processing plant. The day the processing plant opens will be the day that a new group of cows return to the farm. The Coombs family will be in complete control of their product and how it will be marketed. Everyday they are taking steps to make the new dream a reality.

Carilynn and her family outsider of the Jericho Farmhouse Ice Cream Trailer

If you have ever thought, "I don't know how we'll get through this," this is the episode for you.




Carilynn's Favorites:
Squad: @seriouslysabrina, Jen Hatmaker, Danielle Hayden, Sheriden Wimmer 
Make Up: Wet and Wild Megalast Catsuit Lipstick in Rebel Rose
Book: Michelle Obama Becoming 

If you loved this episode make sure you are signed up for my weekly newsletter. Don't forget to subscribe on iTunes or Spotify, share a screenshot on social or send me a message. Join our community on Instagram by using the hashtag #thesquadlife and tag @crystalcattle.