This post is sponsored by TP-Link, but the content & opinions expressed here are my own.

As a social media & blogging professional who makes money at home, I need to maximize my time without getting distracted. I can't waste time hopping from room to room searching for a signal, pleading with the Internet faeries to do their magic. I can't waste time using old, slow equipment. I can't waste time moving back & forth between tasks because I didn't plan out my day. I've come up with my go-to time management tips for bloggers & those working from home! Check it out!

1. Use Quality Equipment

My laptop is less than two years old. My camera & lenses are around the same age. I use the Sony a6000. I need all these things to function as a blogger. I made sure to invest in myself in order to create a better business. I remember how excruciatingly slow the photo editing process was with my old (eight-year-old) laptop. Eliminate the struggle by using quality equipment.


2. Upgrade Your Wi-Fi

Picture this: you're sitting at home working on a deadline, furiously typing away on your laptop. Your Wi-Fi signal flickers weakly then disappears into the abyss. Connection lost. How are you supposed to get your work done now?


I recently installed the all-new Deco M5 Wi-Fi system from TP-Link which covers my whole home with an interactive Internet access, allowing me to surf the web, stream to my devices, & download on a safe, reliable connection. Yippee! Set up was super simple using the TP-Link Deco app. After all, they're the word's #1 consumer Wi-Fi brand.


TP-Link HomeCare has robust parental controls. You can manage & monitor allowance & access, regardless of the application or URL, even when you aren't home. Genius. Although I don't have kids, this is perfect for when Fred's 7-year-old niece comes to visit. Her mom can feel comfortable knowing we can apply the same house rules to our home too. Deco M5 is a whole-home Wi-Fi!


3. Plan Your Day

Write a list of everything that you need to do. Organize it in order of importance. Identify your goals for the day. Write everything out so you can keep yourself accountable. I jot down tasks in my planner as soon as I receive an email, get a campaign update, or follow up with a client. I noticed that since investing in a planner, I've been more efficient & less all over the place.


4. Time Block Your Tasks

What is time blocking? Time blocking is a strategy to help maximize your time, increase productivity, & give you better structure by blocking out specific sets of time for each task.  I like to do 30-minute or 60-minute blocks, depending on the amount of work or concentration needed. This allows me to set time aside to work on a variety of things without feeling like I missed something. I can always go back & apply another 30-60 minute chunk of time when needed.


5. Batch Similar Tasks Together

My work from home time usually revolves around one of the following categories: writing, photographing, editing, coaching, social media, & sending emails. That said, I can use my planner & time blocking skills to get these tasks done in batches. I'll send out follow up emails to my blog coaching clients for a 30-minute block of time. I'll edit photos for three different blog posts in a 60-minutes block of time, etc. When applicable & feasible, batch similar tasks together.


Quality equipment & a fast Internet connection are the cornerstones to my time management. Without those, planning my day, time blocking my tasks, & batching similar tasks together wouldn't even be possible.


The Deco M5 Wi-Fi system gives me seamless & secure internet, so I can spend more time actually working — rather than trying to reset my Wi-Fi, unplug the router, & again, beg the internet faeries to do me a solid.

What are your time management tips? :]

* Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by TP-Link. As always, all opinions are 100% mine aka Carmen's. Learn more about my disclosure. :]