How Creative Entrepreneurs Actually Schedule Their Days (Hint: We Do It Very Differently)
One of the biggest questions aspiring entrepreneurs ask is:
“What’s your daily schedule?”
The funny thing is…
There isn’t one perfect answer.
In this episode of Mugs & Marketing, Ashley and Alisha compare what a typical week looks like for each of them—and despite being twin sisters running creative businesses, their schedules couldn’t be more different.
Ashley balances an online yoga business, coaching clients, two young kids, and co-parenting.
Alisha spends most of her days creating pottery in her backyard studio while building a handmade business around local art markets and online sales.
Different businesses.
Different lifestyles.
Different schedules.
And that’s exactly the point.
Stop Trying to Copy Someone Else’s Routine
It’s easy to watch a YouTube video titled “My 5:00 a.m. Morning Routine” and assume that’s the secret to success.
But your schedule should support your life, not someone else’s.
Alisha originally planned to keep the same schedule she had as an elementary art teacher.
Instead, she discovered that working later in the day, taking gym breaks, and adjusting for the seasons worked much better.
Ashley found the opposite.
Her mornings became the anchor of her day, especially while balancing motherhood and running a service-based business.
Neither approach is “correct.”
They’re simply the systems that work for each person.
Anchor Points Make Scheduling Easier
One concept that came up repeatedly in this conversation was creating “anchor points.”
Rather than scheduling every minute of the day, anchor your routine around activities that naturally happen every day.
For Ashley, those include:
- Teaching her morning yoga class
- School drop-off and pick-up
- Gym classes
- Evening family time
For Alisha, her anchors include:
- Walking her dog
- Meals
- Gym visits
- Pottery studio sessions
These recurring moments help create rhythm without requiring a rigid schedule.
Weekly Planning vs. Hourly Planning
One of the biggest differences between Ashley and Alisha is how they organize their work.
Ashley prefers:
- An hourly planner
- Google Calendar
- Time blocking
- Appointment reminders
Alisha prefers:
- A blank sketchbook
- Weekly task lists
- A simple wall calendar
- Flexible planning
Neither system is better.
The best planner is the one you’ll actually use.
Do You Need to Take Days Off?
The answer surprised both of us.
Ashley intentionally protects weekends with her kids and builds work around her co-parenting schedule.
Alisha rarely takes traditional days off because creating pottery feels restorative and enjoyable—but she naturally slows down after busy markets or during vacations.
Your work, your energy levels, and your life circumstances all influence what “rest” looks like.
Your Schedule Will Change
One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is that your schedule isn’t permanent.
It evolves.
As your business grows…
As your family changes…
As the seasons shift…
Your schedule should change too.
The goal isn’t creating the perfect routine.
The goal is creating a routine that supports the life you’re trying to build.
Resources Mentioned
-
Clever Fox Hourly Planner (Amazon)
-
Blank Sketchbook Notebook (Amazon)
-
Dry Erase Wall Calendar (Amazon)
- OfferingTree business software (Learn More)
-
Google Calendar
https://calendar.google.com
In This Episode
- What a typical week looks like for two creative entrepreneurs
- Why your schedule doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s
- Time blocking vs. flexible planning
- Weekly planning versus hourly planning
- Finding your productivity style
- Creating anchor points throughout your day
- Taking days off as a business owner
- Balancing work, family, and creativity
- Planning tools we actually use
- Why your schedule should evolve over time
No two entrepreneurs build their businesses the same way.
Hopefully this conversation reminds you that your schedule doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be successful.