Brief Overview of the Day
I slept at my girlfriend’s place and helped her with some errands this morning because she wasn’t feeling well. I could have returned home earlier, but I needed to visit the pet store. So, I decided to walk home with Duke, my dog, from the Mile End, which took about an hour.
This decision was partly a conscious choice and partly procrastination. However, I rationalized that one of the benefits of being self-employed is the flexibility to create my own schedule, so I might as well enjoy it sometimes.
When I got home, I was quite tired and ended up taking a nap, which unfortunately disrupted the rest of my day.
I managed to work for 2.5 hours in the evening. I could have worked longer, but I figured that working late would lead to me going to bed late, which in turn would delay the start of my day tomorrow.
Today was definitely not as productive as usual, but I’m confident I can make up for it during the rest of the week. I just need to get back on track tomorrow.
Goals for the Week
- Finish app website
- Send merch order for Asian restaurant #1
- Send merch order for Asian restaurant #2
- Send merch order for Greek restaurant
- Publish Instagram posts for Cafe
- Publish Instagram posts for Greek restaurant
- Update Asian restaurant website
- Send ski store audit
- Finish “Girlfriend Shirt” category page for ShirtSlingers
- 2 Freeletics workouts
- 2 yoga workouts
- Send treasurer’s report
Long-Term Goals (same as before)
List each goal in detail (e.g., “Increase monthly SEO client base by 20%”, “Develop a new passive income stream through affiliate marketing”).
For each goal, explain why it’s meaningful to you. How does it contribute to your larger vision or personal satisfaction?
1. Make $15,000 a month
Right now, my financial situation isn’t great, and I really need to boost my income. I’ve been looking into Jacky Chou, who’s pulling in an impressive 8-9K a day. Plus, I’ve seen several case studies on Niche Pursuits about people earning 10-20K a month.
This has shown me it’s definitely achievable. I’ve got the skills, or at least I’m willing to learn them. But to improve my mental and overall well-being, I know I need to drastically improve my financial situation.
2. Weigh 185 lbs
My main goal is to be in the best shape of my life, rather than hitting a specific weight target. However, reaching 185 lb would be symbolic since it means I would have lost 100 lbs in total. But for now, the real, immediate goal is to get back under 200 lbs.
I just want to feel good in my own skin and have real confidence. I find that I get this feeling when I’m making progress with fitness. This is important not just for my physical health, but again, for my mental and overall well-being.
Progress Towards Goals
Outline the actions taken for each goal. For example, “Contacted five potential clients for SEO services” or “Researched affiliate marketing platforms.”
Were there any unplanned opportunities or obstacles that impacted these goals today?
Make $15,000 a month: I completed 2.5 hours of client work.
Weigh 185 lbs: I didn’t exercise and my diet wasn’t good.
SEO and Web Design Progress
Detail client interactions: What specific communications occurred? Any feedback or new requests?
Describe project milestones achieved or particular challenges in your work.
I worked for a couple of hours on various projects.
Passive Income and Business Ideas
Summarize progress in current ventures, like content creation or marketing strategies.
Elaborate on new business ideas: What sparked these ideas? How do they align with your skills and interests? What initial research or planning did you do?
Consider potential next steps for these business ideas: What information do you need? Who could you reach out to for advice or collaboration?
I didn’t make any progress today.
(same as before below)
My projects are somewhat stuck at the moment. I believe that focusing on growing Nextbop offers the best chance for a significant payday, so that’s where I’ve been channeling my energy over the past week.
I’m just in the initial brainstorming phase, but right now, I’m keen on exploring a couple of areas. First, I want to learn Bubble, and second, I’m interested in figuring out how to connect ChatGPT to other APIs. The ultimate goal is to combine both these skills into creating a SAAS product. I’m a bit concerned that I might need to learn Python to effectively achieve my goals, especially with the technical aspects I’m looking into.
Client Project Updates
List each client and the specific project you’re working on for them.
For each client, detail where you are in the project. What milestones have been reached? What significant progress was made today?
Outline what is left to be done for each project. Are there any pending tasks or upcoming deadlines?
Plan the immediate next actions for each project. What will you tackle next? Are there any client meetings or feedback sessions scheduled?
Shoe Store: (same as before) I didn’t work on this today. There is still data entry to complete and a month’s worth of SEO tasks ahead.
- Next actionable step: Finish data entry ASAP
Wellness Centre: (same as before) I didn’t work on this today.
- Next actionable step: Waiting on feedback
App Website (same as before) I didn’t work on this today.
- Next actionable step: Finish final edits and debugging mobile version
Cafe: same as before) I didn’t work on this today.
- Next actionable step: Draft this week’s posts.
Asian Restaurant Merch: (same as before) Exchanged with client. Need to finish mockups and get final price quote.
- Next actionable step: Need to finish mockups and get final price quote.
Greek Cafe: Send edited merch designs and 3 Instagram posts for approval.
- Next actionable step: Waiting on feedback
Asian Restaurant Website (same as before): I need to update the website with holiday hours and also work on fixing the site speed.
- Next actionable step: Update holiday hours
Electrician (same as before): I need to write new copy for the website.
- Next actionable step: Write copy first draft
Kids’ Store (same as before): I need to fix technical errors on the website and write one month’s worth of content.
- Next actionable step: Fix technical errors
Tea Shop (same as before): Business emails on hold. Need to start writing content for the website.
- Next actionable step: Write first draft of content for the homepage.
Carpenter (same as before): The project is currently on hold. Awaiting feedback from the client.
- Next actionable step: Follow up with client
Ski Store (Business Development) (same as before): I need to conduct an SEO audit.
- Next actionable step: Write up audit
Vegan Restaurant (Business Development) (same as before): I need to write a proposal for a website project.
- Next actionable step: Conduct keyword research
Personal Passive Income Project Updates
List each project and for each , detail where you are in the project. What milestones have been reached? What significant progress was made today?
Outline what is left to be done for each project. Are there any pending tasks or upcoming deadlines?
Plan the immediate next actions for each project. What will you tackle next? Are there any client meetings or feedback sessions scheduled?
Nextbop (same as before): I didn’t work on this today.
- Next actionable step: Build next category page
Best Songs Period (same as before): This website was created for an SEO competition. However, the current strategy doesn’t seem to be yielding the desired results. I am considering abandoning this project to concentrate on other ventures. Additionally, I’m contemplating switching my focus to Shirt Slingers for the competition, as I believe it has the potential to generate more income in the long term.
- Next actionable step: Decide whether to pursue further
Shirt Slingers (same as before): I see considerable potential in this website, which essentially revolves around drop shipping graphic t-shirts. My immediate task is to complete the setup of the “I Love My Girlfriend” category. Additionally, I need to persist in creating and adding new designs to enhance the website’s offerings.
- Next actionable step: Finish “I Love My Girlfriend” category page
Caviar Drip (same as before): This project is somewhat on hold due to a lack of funds to purchase inventory. However, I can still focus on writing content and expanding the Leff Amsterdam section, which I can manage through dropshipping.
- Next actionable step: Add Grove Campus and Leff Amsterdam products
Procrastination Check
Identify the tasks you put off. Were they complex, time-consuming, or outside your comfort zone?
Analyze the reasons behind the procrastination: Lack of motivation, fear of failure, feeling overwhelmed?
Devise a specific plan for these tasks. Could breaking them into smaller steps help? Would setting a dedicated time block or deadline be beneficial?
I definitely chose to have a slow start to the day, helping my girlfriend with errands and then taking a long walk home with the dog, followed by a nap. Part of that was certainly due to procrastination.
I guess I’m a bit overwhelmed with all the work I have on my plate and all the loose ends. I just need to bite the bullet tomorrow and put in the hours.
What Could I Have Done Better?
Reflect on your productivity and focus. Were there periods of distraction or inefficiency?
Assess your interactions: Could communication with clients or colleagues have been improved?
Think about decision-making: Were there any hasty or delayed decisions today?
Should’ve gotten home earlier and made work a priority, stopping the excuses. I also need to focus on front-loading my day with work because I keep telling myself that there’s still time and I’ll do it later. However, I don’t really enjoy working late in the day, so it’s definitely wishful thinking.
Challenges Faced
Work-Related: Detail any project hurdles, client misunderstandings, or technical issues. How did you approach solving them? What solutions worked or didn’t work?
Health and Fitness: Discuss specific challenges in sticking to your diet or exercise regimen. Did you encounter temptations, lack of time, or motivation issues? Reflect on your yoga practice: Were there poses or sequences that were particularly challenging?
Work-Related: I didn’t prioritize client work and was tired.
Health and Fitness: (same as before) Can’t seem to commit to eating better once again.
Financial Overview
Today’s Cash Inflows: 0
This Month’s Cash Inflows: 2,069.10
This Month’s Target: 6,500
Still to go: 4,430.90
November 2023 Cash Inflows: 2,491.63
October 2023 Cash Inflows: 5,210.59
Lessons Learned
Consider the key learnings from today. How have they contributed to your personal or professional growth?
Were there any moments of insight or clarity that reshaped your perspective on a project, goal, or personal habit?
I need to stop convincing myself that I have plenty of time to work later in the day. Working in the later hours is more challenging for me, and there comes a point in the evening when I just can’t continue. So, I never really have all the work hours left that I tell myself I do; it’s wishful thinking. Additionally, when I finish work late in the evening, I feel the need to relax to compensate, which leads to me going to bed later than I should and waking up later the next day.
Goals for Tomorrow
Work and Learning Goals: Specify the top priority tasks and learning objectives for tomorrow. Include any preparatory steps needed.
Health and Fitness Goals: Detail your planned diet and exercise for tomorrow. Are there specific targets, like calorie intake or workout intensity?
Work and Learning Goals: Do 4 hours of client work.
Health and Fitness Goals: Eat clean.
Closing Thoughts
Conclude with an overall reflection. What are you grateful for today? What gives you hope or motivation for tomorrow?
As long as I have a good day tomorrow, today wasn’t a disaster. It just means that I need to have a really solid week from this point on. I’m really grateful to be self-employed and to have a more flexible schedule when needed. However, I also need to remember the concept of “Turning Pro” and do what is required to be a professional otherwise I’ll always remain an amateur.