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How I Run My Business While Working Full Time

Updated: Sep 12

Hi friends,


One of the most common questions I get is: how do you manage to build your art business while working full-time?


Honestly, it hasn’t always been easy. For the past two and a half years, I’ve been figuring out how to balance long work hours, personal life, relationships, and the dream of building my creative business. My routine has changed a lot over time, and I’m sure it will continue to evolve. But there are a few fundamentals that remain the foundation of how I run my business.


I started my art business because I wanted to earn a living doing what I love and create a life on my own terms. This goal has changed me in ways I never expected. The person I am today is someone I’m proud of — focused, intentional, and deeply creative. I’ve learned that who you become in the process of pursuing a goal is the real prize. The goal itself just gives you a reason to become that person.


I also want to acknowledge that everyone’s circumstances look different. At the moment, my FIFO roster gives me blocks of time to focus on my art, and I don’t have children yet — both of which affect how much free time I can dedicate.


My Work Schedule


I currently work a FIFO roster, flying into site for 8 days at a time. During those days, I’m working 13–14 hour shifts. The only time I might get to work on my art business is during lunch breaks (which can be anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour) — and sometimes, not at all.


That means everything else — personal time, appointments, relationships, rest, and my business — gets packed into the 6 days I have off. This has taught me to become incredibly intentional with my time, productivity, and efficiency.


My Fundamentals for Balancing Work & Business


  • Routine: Without structure, our days tend to run us instead of the other way around. If it’s not in my calendar, it’s too easy to get distracted by things that don’t move the needle toward our goals. My days usually look fairly similar: I follow a morning routine and then move into planned work blocks. That structure helps me show up consistently, even when I don’t “feel” like it. I plan my weeks in Notion Calendar, usually two weeks in advance, so I wake up each morning knowing exactly what I’ll be working on.

  • Time Blocking: This is one of the best productivity hacks I’ve adopted. By blocking out commitments and non-negotiables first, I can see exactly how much time I actually have left in a day. It stops me from overcommitting and gives me a realistic structure to follow.

  • Batchwork: When I first started, I tried juggling 3–6 different tasks per day—and ended up making little progress in each. Now, I focus on one main task for a solid 3–4 hours. Batchworking allows me to get into deep focus and actually move projects forward in a meaningful way.

  • Set a Goal: My weekly goal is to spend 20 hours on my business, including the week I’m away for work. Having a clear target keeps me motivated. Even if I only have 15 spare minutes, I’ll often choose to use it productively instead of scrolling on my phone—because every small block of time adds up toward my goal.

  • Rotate Tasks: Running a business means wearing a lot of hats: creating art, marketing, updating my shop, editing, product development, admin — the list never ends. To make sure nothing gets left behind, I break these areas into categories and rotate them. This way, every part of the business gets consistent attention, without me burning out on one area or neglecting others.


My Rotation List


Over the past three years, I’ve developed a rotation list through a lot of trial and error. Whenever I noticed a part of my business was falling behind or being neglected, I added it to the list or started categorising it. Today, it consists of four rotations, each with six main tasks for the week I have off. Altogether, there are 24 items covering everything from product development and skill-building to painting, client work, marketing, website maintenance, and editing.


Each of the six main tasks gets assigned a specific day or time during my break. For example, these are the priorities for my upcoming week off:


  • Big Project Design Work – Productive Planners

  • Ongoing Product Development & Stationery Line Design – Hardcover Notebooks, Softcover Notebooks, Desk Pads, Planners, Tote Bags, Brand Packaging

  • Original Artwork or Commission Work

  • Social Media, Marketing & YouTube Tasks – Photos, Reels, Video Footage & Editing (one full day)

  • Planning + Stage 3 Business Plan – On Site

  • Botanical Illustration Practice – Evenings


Having this rotation list gives me clarity on what my priorities are for the week. I can schedule each task into my calendar, block my time, and make sure every part of my business gets the attention it deserves while making meaningful progress toward my business goals.


Scheduling The Calendar


At the end of each month, I sit down with my MiGoals Monthly Planner and block out the month ahead. It hangs on my wall where I can see it every day, filled with when I’m on site, appointments, launches, release dates, and deadlines like my newsletter and blog.


Once I have the big picture sorted, I open Notion Calendar and start putting together the bones of my weekly schedule. I try to keep my days as consistent as possible — waking up at 6 AM, following a short morning routine (with exercise most days), and heading to bed by 10 PM. I don’t really watch TV, so while my partner is watching something in the evening, I’ll spend that time practicing botanical illustration on hot-pressed paper instead — a skill I’m working on improving.


When I block out my week, I start with appointments, events, and a date day with my partner, then I add my morning routine and bedtime, and from there I layer in my art business tasks: painting, admin, blog and newsletter writing, and priorities from my rotation list.


Of course, life happens, and unexpected things pop up, so I’ve learned to stay flexible — cutting or shifting lower-priority tasks when I need to so I can protect my deep work sessions and still make progress on the things that matter most.


Here’s what my upcoming week looks like:


Notion weekly calendar screenshot showing time-blocked schedule for art business tasks, personal routines, appointments, and rotation priorities, illustrating an organized system for productivity and goal planning.
Notion Calendar

My Tools & Setup


I get a lot of questions about what tools I use to stay organized, so here’s a peek at my current setup:


  • MiGoals Monthly Planner – for my physical wall calendar

  • Notion – for projects, tasks, and weekly planning (screenshot above!)

  • Milanote – for visually planning my week and bigger projects

  • Toggl – to track how many hours I spend working on my business

  • BlockApp – to block distracting apps and stay focused

  • A simple notepad – to jot down random thoughts or distractions so I can come back to them later


Mindset & Boundaries


Balancing a business and a demanding job isn’t just about strategy — it’s also about mindset. Here’s what helps me protect my energy and avoid burnout:


  • Prioritizing rest: I make sure I get enough sleep and take real downtime on my rest days, so I can come back to work refreshed.

  • Letting go of guilt: I remind myself that saying no to things I’m not excited about means saying yes to the things that matter to me most. My time is valuable, and I want to spend it intentionally.

  • Seeing rest as productive: I’m still working on this one — but I’m learning that stepping back can actually help me come back with more solutions, clarity and creativity.


Build Your Own System!


If you want to try this approach yourself, here are seven steps to get started:


  1. Get Clear on What You Want


Before you even pick up a calendar, ask yourself: What do I want my life to look like?


  • Do you want to be in good shape? Schedule your workouts.

  • Do you want to build a business? Block time for it every week.

  • Do you want to feel more grounded? Make space for meditation, mindfulness, or time in nature.


Clarity gives you a reason to show up — otherwise, your calendar just becomes a list of obligations.


  1. Start With the Big Picture (Monthly Planning)


Grab a monthly calendar you can see every day — I use my MiGoals Monthly Planner. Block out your non-negotiables first: work roster, appointments, events, launches, and deadlines (newsletter, blog, etc.). Add your big priorities for the month: personal projects, product launches, or creative goals.


This gives you a clear snapshot of where your time is going and helps prevent overcommitting.


  1. Build Your Weekly Plan


Open Notion Calendar (or your preferred tool) and look at your week's overview. Assign a focus for each day based on your rotation list or main priorities (painting day, admin day, social media day, etc.). Batch tasks together so you can get into a deep workflow rather than constantly switching between things.


Don’t forget to schedule rest, self-care, and time with loved ones — they’re part of a sustainable system.


  1. Time-Block Your Days


Plan your mornings and evenings first — I start with my morning routine, exercise, meals, and bedtime. Then block in your deep focus work sessions (3–4 hours for your biggest priority, if possible). Fill in smaller pockets of time with lighter tasks (emails, admin, editing).


Work with your energy: notice when you feel most focused and schedule your hardest tasks then.


  1. Make Use of Small Pockets of Time


Not every task needs a 3-hour block. Use the small windows in your day — even 5 minutes between things — to take one small step toward your goal. Replace phone scrolling with something that moves the needle forward, for example, replying to an email, brainstorming ideas, sketching a concept, or setting up your next work session. These tiny, intentional actions add up over time.


  1. Stay Flexible


Unexpected things will come up. When they do, cut or shift lower-priority tasks to protect your most important work. Remember, your calendar is a guide, not a rigid rulebook.


  1. Reflect & Reset


At the end of each day, I take a few minutes to reflect: What went well today? What could I improve tomorrow? This daily check-in helps me tweak my schedule and habits in real time, so I’m always improving.


At the end of the week, I do a bigger review:

  • What worked well overall?

  • What didn’t get done — and does it need to move forward or be dropped?


Then I reset for the next week, carrying forward only the priorities that matter most.


Let’s Chat


If you’re balancing a full-time job and a creative dream too, I’d love to hear how you plan your week. What’s one thing that helps you stay on track? Share in the comments — I’d love to cheer you on.

 
 
 

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