104 In Blogging/ Productivity

Blog “Power Hour” Checklist – FREE

When you are a new blogger, it can easily be overwhelming to figure out all you need to do to be “successful.” Let’s face it, even experienced bloggers are pulled in a million directions at once, sometimes more so! If you think that blogging is all about creating a post and hitting ‘publish,’ think again! Most of us spend hours behind the scenes, crafting and creating and marketing and connecting and serving…and the list goes on….

The key to keeping your sanity is to find those tasks that are going to move your business forward, and to complete them first. It is easy to get sidetracked and sucked into social media, but is that really going to drive your business? If you only visit and comment on other blogs, and never create content upgrades for your posts…is that going to help you reach your goals? If you are constantly creating posts and publishing them, but never promote them…how likely is it that your posts will get seen?

I have been an online business owner for 2 years now and have learned a thing or two about creating a successful business. I have made plenty of mistakes and have seen my business reflect that. However, over time I have also learned to focus my efforts and do those key tasks that will drive my business forward. I focus on MY business first and think –

“If I only had an hour to work today, what activities do I need to accomplish to reach my goals?”

Life happens – I am a mom to 6 young children and I am busy. I don’t have all day to devote to my business. I don’t want my children to remember their mom on the computer all the time, never able to get down on the floor and play. I want to have a successful business and create security for our future, of course. But not at the expense of my family.

So, how do I accomplish this? I use what is called a POWER HOUR CHECKLIST. I have created a list of those tasks that I need to accomplish each day, and in what order. I have broken my daily tasks down into 3 categories, in order of priority. I start with Box 1, and complete those tasks. Then, I allow myself to move to Box 2 and complete those. If I still have time left in my allotted hour, I can then move to Box 3. Obviously, the tasks in the first box are focused on MY blog and MY content creation – the non negotiables. By the time I am in Box 3, I am doing those tasks that may not help my business today, but are shaping my future and those around me.

Power Hour Checklist

Because I value and love the blogging community so much, I would love to share my Power Hour checklist with you all! If you can relate to my thoughts here, and would like to stop spinning your wheels in your own blogging business, then feel free to grab my Power Hour Checklist below. I really think you will love it, and use it to increase your productivity. I would love to hear your thoughts on it and see how it helps you, so come back here and let me know!

*Share this post with your blogger friends so they can experience the same kind of peace in their business.*

Click here to download your FREE Blog Power Hour Checklist!

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104 Comments

  • Reply
    Candy
    July 13, 2016 at 11:53 am

    Using checklists is so important and keeps me on track. This is great.

  • Reply
    Katie
    July 13, 2016 at 2:09 pm

    Great idea! It always amazes me how much I can get done in a short amount of time when I just focus in!

  • Reply
    Rebekah @ My DIY Family
    July 13, 2016 at 3:11 pm

    This could not have been a better post for me to read today! My blog is only 3 weeks old, but I feel like everytime I sit down to work on it I just get sucker in to the million things that I know I need to do like networking, cleaning up my pinterest boards, writing my bio on IG… etc, and yet I need to write a new post. Oh ya and be a mom to the kiddos lol! Thanks for the post. I’m excited to give it a whirl!

  • Reply
    Rebekah @ My DIY Family
    July 13, 2016 at 3:13 pm

    This could not have been a better post for me to read today! My blog is only 3 weeks old, but I feel like everytime I sit down to work on it I just get sucked into the million things that I know I need to do like networking, cleaning up my pinterest boards, writing my bio on IGโ€ฆ etc, and yet I need to write a new post. Oh ya and be a mom to the kiddos lol! Thanks for the post. Iโ€™m excited to give it a whirl!

  • Reply
    Brittany
    July 13, 2016 at 3:48 pm

    I just signed up to get the worksheet. I can’t wait to see what’s on it!

  • Reply
    tp keane
    July 13, 2016 at 5:16 pm

    Sounds like something every blogger could use, including me. Great worksheet and thank you.

  • Reply
    karen
    July 13, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    Love checklists – those are what keeps me focused in anything I do! I wish I had this useful checklist when I first started blogging – would have been so helpful!
    Karen | GlamKaren.com

  • Reply
    christina aliperti
    July 13, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    This definitely will be helpful. Sometimes it’s easy to be distracted with work and try to do everything at once. This will help organize and focus me.

  • Reply
    Heather Lawrence
    July 13, 2016 at 6:06 pm

    I am a huge check list girl! I need to see if written down to get motivated to do it and I need to see it checked off to continue the momentum. Such a great way to get organized and focused on the task at hand.

  • Reply
    Terri Steffes
    July 13, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    I can’t wait to give it a try and think about how I could use Power Hour in my own day-to-day life. Awesome concept!

  • Reply
    adriana
    July 13, 2016 at 10:44 pm

    This is awesome! I do best when I have lists – this is great, it’s amazing how much you can get done in an hour with no distractions!

  • Reply
    Rachel
    July 14, 2016 at 12:15 am

    Great idea! Making lists really helps me tackle everything!

  • Reply
    Cassandra @ Powered By BLING
    July 14, 2016 at 1:14 am

    I have been blogging for about 2 years now and I feel like this all the time! Blogging is not my full-time career, so between my full-time career, running a swim team, and all the other commitments, I sometimes have to put blogging to the side. There’s alot to think about to grow and it can definitely be overwhelming at times.

  • Reply
    Sabrina
    July 14, 2016 at 1:18 am

    Thank you so much for sharing and putting this amazing list together Terryn! I just started my blog and I have difficulties figuring out what to do each day but this template will help me prioritize my work and will help me focus on what is important! Thank you ?

  • Reply
    Dawn McAlexander
    July 14, 2016 at 1:54 am

    I do something similar. I always make a checklist of what I have to get done that day, and do those things first. After that, anything else I can get accomplished is something that I don’t have to do the next day!

  • Reply
    Roxanne
    July 14, 2016 at 1:59 am

    Awesome check list! I agree if I have a list to work from for the time I do have for my business, I am way more productive.

  • Reply
    Rachel
    July 14, 2016 at 3:19 am

    It sounds like this checklist will help to keep everyone organized and has some great tips! Can’t wait to see it.

  • Reply
    Jenny
    July 14, 2016 at 3:30 am

    The power hour checklist sounds awesome! Can’t wait to check it out.

    xoxo, Jenny

  • Reply
    Cathy Mini
    July 14, 2016 at 3:52 am

    This is definitely a great checklist! I know I live by checklists – being able to keep track of things and cross them off when I’m done helps me out so much.

  • Reply
    Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins
    July 14, 2016 at 3:54 am

    I’m a list lover, so this is perfect! Thank you, thank you!

  • Reply
    Becky
    July 14, 2016 at 3:56 am

    Love this! I’ve been trying to come up with a good checklist like this so it’s always helpful to see what others do!

  • Reply
    Amanda Love
    July 14, 2016 at 5:03 am

    When it comes to maintaining a blog, especially if you’re monetizing it, having a schedule is important. I make sure I have everything planned out from the posts to the social sharing to everything else! I think aside from that, writing down everything in lists is good too.

  • Reply
    Paula
    July 14, 2016 at 6:47 am

    What a great idea – even 8 years later, I still struggle with focusing on what’s truly THE most important thing to tackle in blogging. Thank you!

  • Reply
    Brenda Sullivan
    July 14, 2016 at 10:35 am

    Terryn,
    Love your blog. It looks great. I love checklists and planners – great job on this post. I look forward to seeing you more o Bloggin Buddies. Thanks for your support- BTW!

    Brenda S.
    htpp://www.fromthefrontporchswing.com

  • Reply
    Debra
    July 14, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    This is awesome! I think more and more I need to have a power hour. Sometimes I get so distracted it takes forever to get the littlest thing done.

  • Reply
    Ana De- Jesus
    July 14, 2016 at 5:09 pm

    I will definitely be downloading the blog power hour checklist because I feel like I can’t keep up. Especially when it comes to social media it is very difficult.

  • Reply
    Yvonne Sowell
    July 14, 2016 at 5:58 pm

    I needed this. Everytime I sit down to work on my blog, I end up just needing like hours! I can only work at night when my baby is sleeping and everyone is fed. >.< thanks!!

    | yvonnesowell.com |

  • Reply
    Mara Shelley
    July 14, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    I submitted my name and email but it said it was password protected. But I didn’t get an option to create a password?

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 15, 2016 at 7:12 am

      Hi Mara! The password comes up right after you enter your name and email, on the next page. I can email it to you though ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply
    Ryan | A Polished Palate
    July 15, 2016 at 8:36 am

    Great checklist! It’s really helpful to stay on track when I have lists like these. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Rebecca Vendetti
    July 15, 2016 at 9:58 am

    That is a power hour for sure! I love how you break everything down into simple, bite-sized chunks. I feel like I could spend a WHOLE DAY on this!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:49 pm

      Lol, hopefully you won’t! The blocks are numbered so you’ll focus on the most important tasks first. If you only get Box 1 done in your hour, at least you got your basic building activities done!

  • Reply
    Malu Silva
    July 15, 2016 at 10:49 am

    I love it! Thanks for this post <3

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:48 pm

      You are welcome!

  • Reply
    Adriana Renee
    July 15, 2016 at 11:01 am

    Checklists are the only way I can get things done!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:47 pm

      Me too! I have lists for everything!

  • Reply
    Kristin
    July 15, 2016 at 4:58 pm

    This is awesome, thank you so much! I always struggle to find time to get it all done.

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      You are very welcome, let me know how you like it Kristin!

  • Reply
    CourtneyLynne
    July 15, 2016 at 7:45 pm

    This is great!!! I’m obsessed with any kind of list!! List in every area of my life keep things running smoothly. Only way I get things done!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Lol, me too Courtney! I have lists for everything and I am a paper list maker.

  • Reply
    Lora
    July 15, 2016 at 8:15 pm

    Great idea to call it a power hour and really focus in on goals!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      Thank you so much Lora! <3

  • Reply
    Reesa Lewandowski
    July 15, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    Wow boy do I need this! This summer is really putting me behind in my work! Thank you!!!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:45 pm

      You are so welcome Reesa! It’s funny how summer puts us behind. I know for me, when I am on a strict schedule, I find it easier to stay on task and I end up getting more done when I am busy!

  • Reply
    Amanda
    July 16, 2016 at 2:39 pm

    I needed this! NEEDED! Lol perfect timing too since our school year is about to start and I will only have about an hour a day!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 17, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      I’m so glad it is helpful Amanda! Let me know how it works for you! Do you homeschool too?

  • Reply
    Cara (@StylishGeek)
    July 20, 2016 at 12:28 pm

    Thanks for sharing your power checklist! Even though I have been blogging for years, I do need to be reminded of these essentials that you mentioned. It helps motivate me to keep at it!

    • Reply
      terryn
      July 20, 2016 at 10:36 pm

      I’m so glad you found it Cara, hope it helps!

  • Reply
    candy
    September 10, 2016 at 9:13 am

    Great you share your experience for everyone else to use and succeed faster.

  • Reply
    Maria Bowersock
    September 10, 2016 at 10:01 am

    This is such a timely and helpful piece to me. Thank you for sharing <3

  • Reply
    Paige Strand
    September 10, 2016 at 10:19 am

    I actually swear by this concept, I actually do a power hour in the morning and one in the afternoon with a different objective.

  • Reply
    Erika W.
    September 10, 2016 at 11:50 am

    This is just what I needed! I’m a full time worker and a full time student #YIKES! Sometimes it is not easy for me to balance everything without feeling burnt out. Thank you for creating this

  • Reply
    Marla | Because I Said So Baby
    September 10, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    This is exactly what I needed!!

  • Reply
    Dicia
    September 10, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Great ideas. I have a checklist for when I sit at the computer and all the things I need to do, such as promotion and sharing, correct any mistakes that I have seen, check my page views.

    Dicia ~ itsmymommylifenow.com

  • Reply
    Brianna
    September 10, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    Fantastic idea! Thanks so much for sharing. I’ll have to save this for later

  • Reply
    Lindsey
    September 10, 2016 at 3:05 pm

    So many good idea here. thank you!

  • Reply
    Yandra
    September 10, 2016 at 5:17 pm

    This post is so resourceful. I am a new blogger and I was beginning to get overwhelmed because no matter how much I do , I still feel like there is som much more to do! I will definitely be using this power hour checklist. I will update you to let you know how it’s working for me! Thanks

  • Reply
    Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
    September 10, 2016 at 10:18 pm

    It’s definitely all about priorities! As a new blogger, I’m learning social media can suck you up if you let it. I love the checklist! Thanks!

    • Reply
      terryn
      September 12, 2016 at 7:33 am

      You are very welcome! I know it can be overwhelming at first, hope it helps!

  • Reply
    Jasmine Hewitt
    September 11, 2016 at 1:40 pm

    Great idea! I’m a big checklist person

  • Reply
    Taylor Monaco
    September 11, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    Love your photos! Do you do your own?

    • Reply
      terryn
      September 12, 2016 at 7:32 am

      Thanks Taylor! I don’t actually, they are stock photos. Here is a great list of free places to get girly stock photos: http://wp.me/p7EUjW-7D

  • Reply
    Megan Forde
    September 11, 2016 at 9:31 pm

    I love this so much because I have so little time to fully focus on my blog and having a blog power hour is perfect for me!

  • Reply
    Luz
    September 12, 2016 at 2:01 am

    This is such a great idea, thank you.

  • Reply
    Bridget | Nutty Hiker
    October 24, 2016 at 7:51 am

    I am a checklist kind of girl! Actually, I am a list girl to be honest lol. I cannot function without making lists, so thanks for posting this one!

  • Reply
    Christina Kamp
    October 24, 2016 at 7:51 am

    Thanks for all the great tips!

  • Reply
    Hanka
    October 24, 2016 at 8:01 am

    I am a huge check-list girl and I love your check list! And thank you for remembering me that I donยดt want my children to remember me only sitting in front of pc screen! ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Reply
    Karen - Sarcastic Parent
    October 24, 2016 at 8:30 am

    As a new blogger, this kind of checklist is super helpful with getting what you need accomplished

  • Reply
    Sarah Jean
    October 24, 2016 at 9:05 am

    Lists and “power hours” are critical to staying on top of our blog!

  • Reply
    Kim
    October 24, 2016 at 9:05 am

    This is so helpful. I need to be more organized with my plans/thoughts. Once I sit down to write or plan, I get overwhelmed. I need more structure so this is so helpful.

  • Reply
    Megan
    October 24, 2016 at 9:33 am

    I love this! Time management can be a struggle.

  • Reply
    Kristine-Bites of Flavor
    October 24, 2016 at 10:09 am

    This is SO helpful! I’m a new blogger myself and I’m always looking for tips such as this. Thank you for sharing!!

  • Reply
    Chelsey
    October 24, 2016 at 10:17 am

    Downloaded – I love it. Thanks so much for making this available! I’m a new blogger and I have 11 month old twins and a 3 year old. I’m struggling to prioritize the pockets of time that I can find to do some work, but I KNOW this will help me out a lot. 3 kids is tough, kudos to you and your 6!! Thanks for motivating me!

  • Reply
    Andrea | Messy Nest Mama
    October 24, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Love this! This checklist is great for busy moms who get sidetracked 500 times a day. I can’t wait to start using my checklist. Thanks for sharing ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply
    Krista Nile
    October 24, 2016 at 11:19 am

    This is soo what I need right now! Thank you!

  • Reply
    Samantha
    October 24, 2016 at 12:00 pm

    This is great! I work from home and take care of my toddler, so I often can’t work in huge chunks. Having a small checklist to get me started is super helpful. Thank you!

  • Reply
    Elizabeth Mayberry
    October 24, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    What a great tool! I love this so much!

  • Reply
    tineke - workingmommyabroad
    October 24, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    I live by my lists! And youยดre right, blogging can be so overwhelming so a checklist definitely helps

  • Reply
    Ali B
    October 24, 2016 at 3:28 pm

    This is a great way to help prioritize too! Can’t wait to get started.

  • Reply
    Sara Brunsvold
    October 24, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    This is is fantastic! I’m such a list person. Thank you for this insight.

  • Reply
    Elizabeth - CrazyBusyHappyLife
    October 24, 2016 at 4:05 pm

    I love the idea of having a power hour because it makes you really pinpoint what is important and what will move your blog and business forward. Great post.

  • Reply
    Lauren
    October 24, 2016 at 4:33 pm

    Awesome tips! I love setting a timer to do tasks!

  • Reply
    Jamie Reed
    October 24, 2016 at 5:37 pm

    Going over this checklist right now! This is really helpful, thank you!

  • Reply
    Kira
    October 24, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    My mantra lately has been “I just don’t have enough time!” so I am definitely going to give this a try!

  • Reply
    Anna @ saltinmycoffee.com
    October 24, 2016 at 6:40 pm

    This is great! Checklists are absolutely my best friend, when it comes to being productive. I like the way you have this broken down into prioritized groups. Awesome!

  • Reply
    Cristina | The Graphic Toolbox
    October 24, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    This is perfect for me, I am a multitasker and always get sidetracked when I work on my blog. Thanks

  • Reply
    Abby
    October 24, 2016 at 8:17 pm

    Great list! I am fairly new to blogging and still don’t have a great routine down yet. This will definitely help me!

  • Reply
    Sam
    October 24, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    Wow! This is exactly what I needed, and such a great perspective too! Thank you so much Terryn ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply
    Jennifer Dunham
    October 24, 2016 at 10:06 pm

    I love this idea! I think that sometimes I get sidetracked by how much time I have…boiling it down to what I need to get done if I only had an hour could really boost my productivity.

  • Reply
    Veronika
    October 25, 2016 at 3:31 am

    Such great information! I’m always trying to up my to-do list game. I tend to jump from one task to another, usually accomplishing the small things first and then getting to the bigger and more important ones at the end.

  • Reply
    Laura
    October 25, 2016 at 9:24 am

    That power hour is one I’m still trying to figure out as a new blogger. I love the idea of a power hour list! This makes so much more sense. Thank you for sharing! ?

  • Reply
    Justine Y @ Little Dove
    October 25, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    What a great idea! I also have several young children and try not to be stuck to the computer all day, but then I often myself frustrated and feeling like I’ll never be able to do as much as those that don’t have children or who have older kids. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

  • Reply
    courtney
    October 26, 2016 at 12:28 am

    That is such a smart way to stay on top of everything that comes with this job. It can be so hard to stay up to date and motivated but lists and blocked times definitely help!

    La Belle Sirene

  • Reply
    suzanne
    October 27, 2016 at 8:24 am

    Yes, this is so necessary! Blogging can definitely get overwhelming at times. Thanks for the tips!

  • Reply
    Tyane
    October 28, 2016 at 9:38 am

    I love this!! As a huge planning and list junkie, I will find a way to utilize this into my blogging plans ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply
    Linda S
    November 2, 2016 at 9:22 am

    Great tips, Terryn! I often find myself distracted by following rabbit trails and then not getting back to what I ought be doing. Thanks for the checklist ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Reply
    Rose Barnett (@mRoseBarnett)
    November 14, 2016 at 7:15 am

    Am I the only one who cannot access this? I go to http://www.subscribepage.com/m1x9y2 and it says not found ๐Ÿ™ *weeps* I’d love some help getting it.

    • Reply
      terryn
      November 14, 2016 at 7:40 am

      Hi Rose! So sorry you are having trouble. It looks like you are at the wrong link, at least from my end. Try this here and let me know if it works for you. If not, feel free to email me and I will send it over. (terryn@justasimplehome.com) http://www.subscribepage.com/v4p3j9

  • Reply
    Callie K
    January 12, 2017 at 11:05 am

    What a great post. I love the idea of the Power Hour, definitely one I need to implement in my days. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Kimberly Henricks-Friedhoff
    January 12, 2017 at 3:39 pm

    This is fabulous … thank you so much for sharing! Downloaded and printing now!

    • Reply
      terryn
      January 14, 2017 at 9:17 am

      You are so welcome Kimberly!

  • Reply
    Emilye
    January 12, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Thanks for sharing! I’m new to blogging and I am excited to read this in detail.

  • Reply
    Robin
    January 12, 2017 at 8:27 pm

    This is such a smart strategy! I used this at my last job, where I had to be productive every minute of every day to get everything done. I found that asking myself how much time I should reasonably spend on a task, and setting a timer for that exact amount of time helped me to stave off all distractions until the end of that time period. I should apply that same strategy to my blog for sure!

  • Reply
    Jess
    January 22, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    This is a great little checklist, Terryn! Thank you! It’s so easy to get sidetracked when you’re trying to write new blog content. We’re gonna try this exact approach out for a couple weeks = )

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