The importance of structuring your working week.
The Importance of Structuring Your Working Week (With Flexibility)
As someone who builds websites for a living, I’ve learned that the work-life balance isn’t always a straight line. One minute, you’re in the zone, deep into a major project—designing, developing, and launching a beautiful website for a client. The next, the project wraps up, and there’s a bit of a lull. And that’s when things can get a little… wobbly.
After finishing a big website build and not having another one lined up immediately, I start to feel that familiar wave of uncertainty. Suddenly, I’m questioning everything—my service offerings, my business objectives, and whether I’m really giving clients what they want. Am I missing the mark? Am I doing enough?
This cycle happens a couple of times a year, and each time, it reminds me of something important: I really need structure in my week, but with enough flexibility to adjust when the big projects come along.
So why is this balance of structure and flexibility so crucial, especially when you’re self-employed and running a web design business? Let me explain…
1. The Power of Structure for Staying on Track
One of the biggest challenges of being self-employed is managing your own time. Without the usual “clocking in” routine or a boss to answer to, it’s easy to drift, especially when there isn’t a new project lined up. That’s why having some structure to your week is so important.
For me, structure doesn’t mean being rigid. It’s more about having a general plan that helps me stay productive—even during quieter periods. When I’m not building websites for clients, I use my time to work on other aspects of my business. I block out certain days for specific tasks—Monday mornings for planning and strategy, Tuesdays and Thursdays for client calls or admin, and Fridays for reviewing the week, checking in on long-term goals, and preparing for the next project.
By having a clear structure like this, even on the days when I’m not building websites, I stay focused. I know what I need to be working on, whether that’s refining my design process, improving my coding skills, or creating content to attract new clients.
2. Flexibility When Big Projects Come Into Play
Of course, when a major website build lands on my plate, everything else has to take a backseat. Large projects require a lot of focus, energy, and sometimes long hours. And when that happens, the flexibility to adjust my week is key. I need to allow myself the freedom to dive deep into the project, knowing that I can scale back on other parts of the business, like social media or long-term planning, to make space for the work at hand.
For example, when I’m knee-deep in designing and developing a custom website, I may reduce my workweek from three days to just two, or shift things around to accommodate late-night coding sessions. The beauty of being self-employed is that I can adjust my schedule to focus on what’s urgent. But that doesn’t mean I abandon structure completely—it just means that my weekly plan has some flexibility built in.
3. The Perils of Losing Your Structure
I’ve been in business long enough to know that losing structure can be a slippery slope. Over the past few weeks, I’ve let my usual routine slip, and sure enough, the doubts started creeping in. Without a clear plan to follow, I found myself questioning my services—was I offering the right web design packages? Was my pricing still competitive? Was my website design process clear enough for potential clients?
This is when I realise just how important it is to maintain some structure in my week. When I get too relaxed with my routine, I lose focus, and that’s when the self-doubt sets in. Without a plan, I’m more prone to second-guessing my decisions, and I get stuck in a cycle of overthinking. Keeping a balance between structure and flexibility helps me stay on track and avoid those moments of uncertainty.
4. Creating a Balanced Week: Work, Rest, and Reflection
For someone who builds websites and only has three days a week to focus on work (unless I get extra childcare), finding the right balance is crucial. Too much structure can feel stifling, but too little can leave me feeling unproductive and stressed. The key is to find a routine that keeps my business moving forward while still giving me room to rest and recharge.
Here’s how I try to balance things:
Focused Time for Business Growth: When I’m not busy building websites, I make sure to set aside time for business development. This could be updating my portfolio, reaching out to potential clients, or fine-tuning my web design process. I also spend time researching new trends in web design or learning new skills to stay competitive.
Time for Rest: Running a business and managing projects can be intense, especially when you’re building complex websites. I make sure to factor in breaks, downtime, and time with family to avoid burnout. Flexibility means I can adjust my schedule to make sure I’m getting the rest I need to stay fresh and creative.
Space for Reflection and Innovation: Sometimes, the best ideas come when you step back. I leave a bit of room in my schedule for reflection—whether that’s brainstorming new services I could offer, exploring new design trends, or coming up with ideas for marketing my web design business. Giving myself the space to think creatively helps me stay inspired, even when there aren’t any big projects on the go.
5. Finding Your Own Rhythm
At the end of the day, the key is finding a rhythm that works for you. As a web designer, my schedule needs to be flexible enough to handle the highs and lows of client work, but structured enough to keep my business moving forward during quieter periods. Some people thrive with a strict, regimented routine, while others prefer more freedom. The important thing is to strike a balance that keeps you on track, prevents burnout, and allows room for growth.
For me, that balance means having a weekly structure that I can adjust when big projects come up. It means dedicating time to building new skills, working on my website design process, and staying connected with clients, all while making sure I don’t burn out. When the next big project comes along, I’m ready to dive back in.
So, if you’re feeling a bit lost between projects, take a step back, reassess your routine, and tweak it until it works for you. A well-structured week, with just the right amount of flexibility, will help you stay productive and inspired—whether you’re in the middle of a massive website build or simply working on the next step for your business.
You’ve got this!
