Managing your time as a dog trainer can be as tricky as teaching a collie to chill at a children’s birthday party. Your days are filled with client appointments, administrative tasks, ongoing education, and hopefully, some personal time. But just like dog training, mastering time management is a skill that can be learned and refined. Let’s dive into some strategies to help you create a schedule that works for your unique business and personality.
Understanding your work style
The first step in creating an effective schedule is to understand your natural work style. Are you a “splitter,” a “lumper,” or somewhere in between?
Splitters are natural planners who thrive on detailed schedules. They’re the ones who have color-coded calendars and enjoy breaking tasks down into small steps. A splitter might schedule their day like this:
- 8:00-9:00 AM: Answer emails and return phone calls
- 9:00-10:30 AM: Client session with Max the Labrador
- 10:30-11:00 AM: Write up session notes and plan next session
- 11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Client session with Bella the Poodle
- 12:30-1:30 PM: Lunch and quick walk
- 1:30-3:00 PM: Work on new puppy training curriculum
- 3:00-4:30 PM: Client session with Charlie the Beagle
- 4:30-5:30 PM: Administrative tasks and planning for tomorrow
For splitters, the challenge often lies in implementation rather than planning. They may need to focus on strategies to stick to their carefully crafted schedules.
Lumpers, or “freedom seekers,” prefer flexibility. They’re comfortable setting a general direction and figuring out the details as they go. A lumper’s schedule might look more like this:
- Morning: Client sessions
- Afternoon: Office work and curriculum development
- Evening: Personal time
While this approach allows for creativity and adaptability, it can sometimes lead to frustration if long-term goals aren’t being met. Lumpers may benefit from setting some loose structure to ensure they’re making progress on important tasks.
If you find yourself somewhere in the middle, you might be a “slumper.” You appreciate some structure but also value flexibility. Your ideal schedule might include a mix of detailed plans and open-ended time blocks. For example:
- 8:00-10:00 AM: Client sessions (specific appointments scheduled)
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Flexible work time (choose between curriculum development, administrative tasks, or additional client sessions)
- 12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch break
- 1:00-3:00 PM: Client sessions (specific appointments scheduled)
- 3:00-5:00 PM: Flexible work time
Remember, no work style is inherently better than another. The key is to recognize your natural tendencies and create a plan that works with, not against, your style.
What makes a plan effective?
Regardless of your work style, there are some essential elements to consider when creating your schedule:
Emphasize balance: Include regular time off, preferably two full days per week. Research shows that we are less productive when we push ourselves too hard or try to multitask. Taking care of yourself is key to long-term success. For example, you might decide to make Sundays and Wednesdays your days off, using them for rest, personal pursuits, and spending time with your own dogs.
Prioritize what matters: Make sure your schedule includes time for high-level business tasks that move you towards your goals, as well as personal activities that bring you joy and keep you energized. These tasks might include developing new training programs, marketing your business, or attending professional development workshops. On the personal side, it could be daily exercise, meditation, or a weekly hobby class.
Work with your natural rhythms: Pay attention to when you’re most productive for different types of tasks. For example, if you’re a morning person, schedule your most challenging or creative work for early in the day. You might find that you’re best at writing blog posts or developing training plans in the morning, while afternoon energy is perfect for client sessions.
Work ON your business, not just in it: Set aside at least three hours a week for big-picture tasks like marketing, financial planning or curriculum development. Don’t let these important activities get squeezed out by day-to-day operations. For instance, you might block out every Friday afternoon for business development tasks.
Creating your plan
When developing your schedule, remember that it’s not set in stone. As author Oliver Burkeman suggests, a plan is simply “a present moment statement of intent.” It’s a guide to help you use your time effectively, but it can and should be adjusted as needed.
For splitters, focus on implementation strategies. Your detailed plans are great, but make sure you have systems in place to follow through. This might include setting reminders, using a task management app, or having an accountability partner.
Lumpers should aim for a higher-level structure that provides direction without feeling restrictive. Consider using broad categories for your time rather than scheduling every minute. For example, you might designate mornings for client work, afternoons for business development, and evenings for personal time.
Slumpers might benefit from a mix of detailed planning for certain activities and more open-ended time blocks for others. You could schedule client sessions and important meetings precisely, but leave other time blocks more flexible.
Mastering time management takes practice and patience. Be willing to adjust your approach as you learn what works best for you and your business. Over time, you’ll develop a system that allows you to serve your canine clients and their humans, grow your business, and still have time for your furry friends at home.