How Designers Can Get 50 Hours of Work Done in Just 25: The Power of a Model Calendar
As designers, we wear a lot of hats: visionary, project manager, purchasing agent, problem solver, client hand-holder, and sometimes, therapist. It’s no wonder we often feel like we’re “on” 24/7—even when we’re not at our desks.
And let’s be honest: most of us didn’t start our businesses because we wanted to hustle 60-hour weeks. We became designers and entrepreneurs to create more freedom, more creativity, and a business that fits our lives—not the other way around.
So how do you get everything done and still have time for a life you love?
Enter: the Model Calendar. This simple but powerful tool is how I manage to get 50 hours of work done in just 25—without burnout, guilt, or feeling like I'm always behind.
What is a Model Calendar?
A Model Calendar is your ideal weekly schedule—designed with intention. It’s not about scheduling every minute of your day. It’s about creating blocks of time for what matters most, so you're not constantly reacting or drowning in decision fatigue.
It’s based on a classic productivity principle: Put the Big Rocks in first.
Stephen Covey shared this metaphor in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Imagine your time as a jar. If you fill it first with sand (random tasks, distractions, endless text messages), you won’t have space for the big rocks (your most important work and life priorities). But if you put the big rocks in first, everything else will fit around them.
This is especially true for us designers, where our time and energy are pulled in a hundred directions daily.
Step 1: Start With What Matters Most
Before you plan a single work task, block out time for:
Family
Self-care
Creative play
Health and wellness
Rest
You became a designer to live a beautiful life, not just create them for others. So schedule your yoga class, your solo coffee hour, your family dinners. These are your non-negotiables. Protect them like you'd protect a client install date.
Step 2: Set Your Office Hours
Designers often fall into the trap of “fitting work in” around everything else. This leads to zero boundaries and lots of late-night texts from clients or Pinterest rabbit holes.
Instead, choose your ideal working hours. For example:
Mon–Thurs: 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
Fridays: Half day (admin + wrap-up)
Knowing your office hours helps you plan more realistically and keeps you from saying yes to everything.
Step 3: Theme Your Days
This is where the magic happens. Grouping like tasks together allows your brain to focus, reduces context switching, and gets you into flow.
Here’s a sample weekly flow for interior designers:
Day Focus
Monday CEO Day (planning, finances, team meetings)
Tuesday Client Day (calls, presentations, walkthroughs)
Wednesday Creative Work (design boards, sourcing, space planning)
Thursday Marketing + Content (emails, social media, blog writing)
Friday Admin + Education (billing, inbox zero, courses, wrap-up by noon)
This doesn’t mean you can’t be flexible—but having a weekly rhythm reduces overwhelm and helps you make steady progress on everything that matters.
Step 4: Use Time Blocking + Pomodoros
Once you know your daily themes, break your work time into focused blocks. Try:
90-minute creative sessions for deep work (like layout design or sourcing)
25-minute Pomodoros for admin tasks or inbox cleanup
Time blocks for recurring tasks (like checking Mydoma, emails, etc)
By batching similar tasks and giving them dedicated time, you’ll get more done in less time—and avoid the chaos of multitasking.
Step 5: Don’t Forget Your CEO Date
Each Monday morning, I sit down for a “CEO Date” with myself. This 30-minute ritual helps me:
Review last week’s wins + progress
Plan the top 3 priorities for the week
Check my calendar for client meetings, deadlines, and personal commitments
Make sure my big rocks are actually in the jar
If you don’t intentionally plan your week, someone else (or your inbox) will plan it for you.
The Takeaway
A Model Calendar helps you work by design, not by default. It allows you to:
Reclaim your time
Create space for what matters
Move your business forward with less hustle
Feel more present, peaceful, and on-purpose
If you’re tired of feeling like your design business is running you—rather than the other way around—a Model Calendar is the perfect place to start.
Want Help Creating Your Model Calendar?
If you’re a designer who wants to bring more structure and simplicity to your week, let’s chat. I can help you create a rhythm that supports your business and your life.
