Welcome to the first rhythm in the Summer Refresher Rhythms Series! If you caught my kickoff article, “Summer Rhythms Tune Up For Your Creative Business,” you already know why rhythms are crucial for your success as a creative entrepreneur. 

First, we’re diving into the most fundamental rhythm of all: CEO Time.

Why start here? Simple. 

Because CEO Time isn’t just another item on your never-ending to-do list. It’s the glue that holds all the other business rhythms together.

Think of it as your chance to:

• Step off the hamster wheel 
• Get a bird’s-eye view of your creative work and your business
• Actually breathe for a second

In other words, it’s your ticket to nurturing every aspect of your business without losing your marbles in the process.

So, ready to transform from frazzled creative to cool, calm, and collected CEO?

Let’s dive in and discover how this rhythm can revolutionize your business this summer (and beyond). Plus, you’ll see how it sets the stage for the other seven essential rhythms we’ll be focusing on in the coming weeks.

What is CEO Time?

CEO Time is your opportunity to work ON your business instead of IN it. It’s dedicated time to step away from the day-to-day tasks and focus on strategy, long-term goals, and big-picture vision casting. 

It’s not a vacation (though those are important too!), but rather a crucial investment of time and energy in your business’s future.

Why You’re Probably Not Taking CEO Time (And Why You Should)

Let’s be real: you’re busy. 

You’re managing social media, handling finances, talking to clients, and a million other things. The idea of stepping away from your business feels as scary as leaving your phone at home on a beach day. 

(Cue panic about missed calls, FOMO on Insta-worthy moments, and the creeping dread that everything’s falling apart without you.)

Sound familiar? 

If so, I’d bet more often than not you find yourself:

• Drowning in daily operations
• Relying on duct-taped systems
• Unsure how to delegate or outsource
• Feeling out of alignment with your business goals
• Building a business you think you should like, but don’t

If any of these resonate, CEO Time is your lifeline to clarity, direction, and renewed passion for your creative work.

The Game-Changing Benefits of CEO Time

CEO Time isn’t just hitting pause on chaos—it’s your chance to rise above the daily grind. 

It’s giving yourself permission to think big while you get a clear view of your entire business landscape, instead of getting lost in the weeds of day-to-day tasks. 

It’s your opportunity to be the visionary leader your business needs, not just another always-busy entrepreneur.

When you embrace your inner CEO and carve out CEO Time, you’ll:

1. Streamline your ops. Suddenly you’ll spot bottlenecks from a mile away and implement systems that practically run themselves (AKA no more 3AM panic attacks about forgotten emails).
   
   
2. Be proactive instead of reactive. Stop putting out fires and instead anticipate problems before they happen to keep your business agile and aligned with your goals.
   
   
3. Reach your goals faster. Slow down to speed up (paradoxical, I know)! Regular reflection and planning help you pivot and iterate faster so you can gain traction instead of spinning your Peloton wheels going nowhere.
   
   
4. Boost your creativity. When you allow yourself to step out of the day-to-day, you’ll often find opportunities to connect with your peers or mentors, learn new things in your industry, and flesh out ideas that have been on the backburner for far longer than you’d like to admit!
   
   
5. Set a solid foundation. Prioritizing CEO Time ensures you have space in your schedule to implement and maintain your other business rhythms so everything continues to hum along like a well-oiled machine.

CEO Time isn’t just a fancy buzzword – it’s the key to building a creative business that doesn’t only survive, but thrives. So go ahead, block off that calendar, and give yourself permission to think big.

How to Make CEO Time a Reality (Even When You’re Swamped)

So, you’re sold on the idea of CEO Time, but you’re wondering how to squeeze it into your already jam-packed schedule? 

Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. 

Here’s your step-by-step guide to making CEO Time a non-negotiable part of your week, no matter how busy you are:

Step 1: Complete a Time Audit

• Track your time for 7 consecutive days (theres never a “good” time to start, so just DO it– no excuses)
• Record tasks, quality of work, interruptions, and patterns
• Evaluate how time spent aligns with your core values. (Are you spending your time where it really counts?)
• Identify potential slots for CEO Time

COO Tip: Want a cheat sheet? Steal my time audit tool here for free!

Step 2: Streamline Your Operations

• Automate repetitive tasks (emails, scheduling, client inquiries)
• Create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all key processes 
• Delegate tasks to team members or consider outsourcing
• Establish clear communication channels for emergencies

Step 3: Create a CEO Time Schedule

• Start small: aim for just one hour per week at first
• Gradually increase to half-day or full-day sessions
• Consider monthly, quarterly, or annual CEO Time retreats
• Make it non-negotiable and communicate boundaries to clients and team members so you don’t feel torn about stepping away from the daily grind.

COO Tip: Change your environment for CEO Time. A new setting can spark fresh ideas and minimize distractions.

Remember, implementing CEO Time isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. To this day I remind myself often that done is better than perfect.

Start small, be consistent, and watch as this practice transforms not just your business, but your entire approach to entrepreneurship. 

Before you know it, you’ll be wondering how you ever ran your business without it.

Making the Most of Your CEO Time

So, you’ve carved out some precious CEO Time. Awesome! But now you might be wondering, 

“What exactly do I do during this time?” 

The key is to approach your CEO Time with intention. It’s not about tackling your regular to-do list or getting lost in your inbox. It’s about zooming out, thinking strategically, and setting the course for your business’s future. 

Here’s your game plan:

1. Prep Your Agenda
   • Outline your must-do items (like your monthly money check and goal updates)
   • Add in any exciting new projects or ideas you’ve been itching to explore

2. Get Your Materials Ready
   • Have your key info on hand: financial reports, client feedback, industry trends
   • Organize everything beforehand so you can dive right in

3. Focus on High-Impact Activities
   • Give your business strategy a health check
   • Crunch numbers and dream up growth plans
   • Brainstorm fresh, client-wowing ideas
   • Level up your client experience

4. Wrap It Up Right
   • Set clear, actionable goals for the week or month
   • Break them down into bite-sized steps to avoid overwhelm

Remember, this is your time to think big, get inspired, hold yourself accountable, and chart the course for your creative business goals. 

Make every minute count!

Overcoming Common CEO Time Challenges

Starting anything new can feel like learning to ride a bike with no training wheels. It’s a bit wobbly and maybe even a little scary at first. If you’re hesitating to embrace CEO Time, you’re not alone. 

Let’s tackle some of the most common objections I hear and bust those myths wide open:

“I don’t have time for this!”

The truth: You can’t afford not to take CEO Time. It’s an investment that pays off in efficiency, clarity, and growth.

“Everything will fall apart if I step away.”

Solution: Start with small increments and build robust systems. Your business can and should be able to function without you for a few hours.

“I don’t know what to focus on during CEO Time.”

Tip: Keep a running list of big-picture items throughout the week. When CEO Time comes, you’ll have a ready-made agenda.

“I feel guilty not working on immediate tasks.”

Mindset shift: CEO Time is arguably your most important work. It’s high-level, strategic work that propels your business forward.

See? 

Those CEO Time roadblocks aren’t as insurmountable as they first appeared. Every successful creative entrepreneur you admire started exactly where you are now. 

The difference? 

They took that first step. So, are you ready to silence those doubts and step into your CEO shoes?

Your CEO Time Action Plan

Now it’s time to kick it into gear! Here’s what I encourage you to do right now before you even think about closing this tab on your laptop:

1. Schedule your first CEO Time session for next week (even if it’s just 30 minutes)
2. Start a 7-day time audit to find your ideal CEO Time slot
3. Identify one process you can automate or systematize this month
4. Set three big-picture goals to tackle in your next CEO Time session

Remember, becoming a strategic CEO doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a muscle you flex regularly and strengthen over time. 

Each CEO Time session brings you closer to running the creative business of your dreams – one that’s sustainable, scalable, and aligned with your passions.

Ready to take your creative business to the next level?

You’ve taken the first step by recognizing the power of CEO Time and taking action. But if you’re ready to truly transform your business from the ground up, it’s time to go deeper.

Craving even more CEO Time wisdom? 

Dive deeper than a submarine with my extended blog here. (Don’t worry, this blog isn’t just the shallow end of the pool, it’s just a more concise version so you can get your CEO Time rhythm up and running ASAP!)

But, why stop there?

Take it further and learn how to move from duct-taping the backend of your business together behind the scenes to strategically building your business from the ground up without the guesswork, struggle, or overwhelm…

Discover the complete framework for building a thriving creative business in my comprehensive course: Business Building for Creatives. 

Don’t let another month go by feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Take control of your creative business and your future – starting now.

Your dream business is waiting. Let’s build it together, one strategic step at a time.