How to Get More Done… Maybe

How is it already February?

Weren't we just wishing each other happy holidays and making our big plans for the year?

And look at that.

One month down. Eleven to go.

So how are your goals going? 🫣

One of the things I hear over and over inside the Division is this:

“I just can’t get enough done.”

And honestly? That makes total sense, because running your own business is nothing like a jobby job.

There’s no clocking in. No neatly (and sometimes not-so-neatly) assigned tasks. No magical moment where you’ve “finished” the work and get to log off with a gold star for the day.

As a business owner, the work is endless. But working longer is rarely the answer.

I actually hate working long hours. I love a leisurely morning and and a nice long evening ritual, preferably early.

I have one superpower in my business, it's that I know how to GSD.

And there are two ways I do it that just might help you GSD too.

First: I theme my days.

Each day has a job.

I create buckets for deep work (marketing and business growth, client support and coaching, and creative work) and once I’ve handled my daily non-negotiables (email and a single check-in with the community…no more, no less), the rest of my day lives inside that theme.

Here's a peek at my typical week:

• Mondays and Tuesdays: Marketing and Business Development
• Wednesdays: Client Calls and Maker Division Coaching
• Thursday and Friday: Creative Work

Marketing days = shipped assets as the result. I think in campaigns and each week has 1-2 campaigns that must get done by EOD Tuesday. No over analyzing. Shipped is beautiful.

Client support and coaching all happen on the same day because they drain my creative energy.

Creative work gets its own protected days so I can actually go deep instead of constantly context-switching.

This schedule has worked miracles for my ability to be more efficient in my businesses, both inside Maker Division and Gold Sheep Design.

Your days might look a little different.

But this scheduling does require one huge mindset shift:

You do not need to be available all day for others to be a good business owner.

Your clients don’t get to decide what constitutes a fire. True emergencies are rare. In over a decade of client services, I’ve dealt with exactly two, and in both cases, clients used my emergency line (aka texting me), because they knew that channel was for real emergencies only. (BTW - both emergencies were web related. Ask me why I don't design websites anymore.)

Good clients respect boundaries.

And boundaries are what make deep work possible.

Second: I am ruthless with my calendar.

This was learned the hard way.

After years of Zoom calls that should’ve been emails and others calls that were basically just…social hour, I realized how much forward momentum I was sacrificing.

That time could’ve been spent building new income streams, generating leads, creating work, or yes, playing my guitar or taking a nap with my dogs while watching some film noir in the afternoon.

So now I’m vigilant.

If it’s not Ben, essential sales or client support, Maker Division coaching, or my inner circle of peers (who I do still meet with as a group at most once a month), it doesn’t go on the calendar.

Not because I’m busy.

But because my time is better spent elsewhere.

For You to Think About:

If everything feels urgent, nothing important gets done.

Structure creates freedom. Boundaries create momentum. And clarity about what actually grows your business changes everything.

And if you’re stuck staring at an endless to-do list and wondering what you should even be working on to move the needle, this is exactly what we help you untangle inside Maker Division.

You can get more done with the same amount of time you have right now.

This isn't about hustling harder, constantly being on calls that aren't necessary, and grinding through the night.

This is about allowing yourself the time to go deep with the tasks that matter most and being ruthless with how you're spending your time - and who you're giving it to.

Here's to the GSD life while still having a life beyond business.

Stephanie Owens

Deep Work, No Apologies

Ruthless Calendar Guardian

Co-Founder | Maker Division

Seven Dials

On the Bookshelf

I'm a firm believer that the book is always better than the movie (most of the time). And while I thoroughly enjoyed the Netflix adaptation of Seven Dials, I'm still a fan of the Bundle + Battle books by Agatha Christie. If you're looking for a cozy mystery, give this one a try.

check it out

Finding Your Signature Style

FREE resource

Illustrator and Maker Division member Jillian Nichole's work seems to be everywhere these days! And lucky for all of us, she teaches too! She's got a free guide to help you find your signature style, perfect if you're working on stepping away from the daily grind of client work and wanting to grow your studio's income streams.

Check It Out

Hallucination Engine

Now Playing

In the mood for some chill music to put on and while you do some of that deep work? Look no further than this gem by Material. Side effects include feeling extra groovy all day long.

give it a listen

Sometimes members come along and they hype other members up so much that sometimes we forget what they're doing in their own business.

And that member is Carlos Gamarra.

If you've been on a coaching call with Carlos you know his infectious energy. We often half-joke that he has a calling to be a motivational speaker. He really is there for our members from a place of experience and love for his fellow Makers.

But Carlos isn't just the best hype-man you'll find to root you on inside the membership.

This guy has been nominated for several Emmys, including one win in 2019 for his video editing work on Queer Eye.

And since Carlos is always so great at hyping up our members in the community, I wanted to take a moment to hype him up a bit.

Because as amazing as winning awards can be, he's also making major moves in his business. Including a recent $28,000 project for Etsy's recent holiday sales campaign.

We love having Carlos in the membership and watching him grow while supporting others. Thanks, Carlos! You are what Maker Division is all about.