We all have gaps between projects from time to time that leave space for other activities. Umbrex has curated this list of 100+ ideas for using your time productively between projects. We’ve provided links to some activities as relevant.
Do you have an idea you’d like to contribute for using your time productively between projects? Please email us here.
Marketing
1. Name your consulting practice
2. Create a logo for your firm
4. Create a one-page overview of your firm
5. Create or update your project list
6. Create sanitized work samples
8. Set up an email signature on your laptop and phone
9. Update your LinkedIn profile
10. Review your professional headshot and update if needed
11. Create or update your website
12. Create a lead magnet on your website using ConvertKit
13. Design and order business cards and correspondence cards
14. Create an updated PowerPoint template for your presentations
15. Update your proposal template
16. Create brand guidelines for your firm
Business Development
19. Identify your core network of contacts
21. Make a list of people you should connect with on LinkedIn
22. Make a list of companies you would like to serve and identify the clients at those companies
Client Relationships
27. Send a thank you note to a previous client
28. Send LinkedIn connection requests to clients you have served
29. Standardize your processes to optimize your client experience
30. Ask previous clients for feedback
31. Check in with clients to follow up on past projects
Content Creation
32. Write posts on LinkedIn
33. Comment on LinkedIn posts of others
36. Turn your last project into an article
37. Publish a “cheat sheet” or primer on an industry or function
38. Create a diagnostic tool
39. Write a survey
40. Create a course
41. Make a list of ten underrated trends in your industry/function
Events
42. Research venues to host an event
43. Organize a small-group breakfast or lunch
44. Attend a conference
45. Attend an in-person meetup
Financial & Insurance
46. Create an invoice template
47. Review your consulting fees and update if needed
48. Review taxes and catch up on expense classification
49. Update financial plan
51. Set up a retirement fund (SEP IRA, 401K, etc.)
52. Automate finances by putting payments on auto-pay
53. Do an audit of your insurance coverage
54. Set up a backup checking account at another bank
Learning
56. Make a list of 10 things you want to learn about your industry
57. Identify and subscribe to podcasts focused on your industry or function
58. Identify and subscribe to the best newsletters on your industry
59. Make a reading list on your industry
60. Find an online course on a topic you’re curious about
61. Learn how to become “indistractible” and enhance time management skills
62. Research conferences in your industry to attend
63. Review consulting frameworks and apply them to your practice
64. Make a list of writers and thought leaders whose work you want to follow
65. Learn to code
66. Learn Tableau
67. Learn Smartsheet
Office & Operations
69. Clean your office and organize files
71. Set up an 8-week planning process
72. Write standard operating procedures for projects
73. Create a template / toolkit you can use on future projects
74. Create, review, or update your consulting contract
75. Set up a facilitator toolkit
76. Consider setting up an LLC
77. Apply for relevant certifications (minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned, etc)
Technology
78. Do an audit of your IT security
79. Set up automatic backups
80. Do a complete offline backup
81. Improve the Search Engine Optimization of your website
82. Buy a domain and set up branded email
83. Professionalize your home video setup with a DSLR
85. Set up an email plug in tool such as Mixmax
86. Improve your Excel or Google Sheets skills
87. Learn keyboard shortcuts of the software you use most regularly
89. Delete unused apps from your phone
90. Get a transcript tool such as otter.ai
Virtual Team
Mindfulness & Creativity
Personal Development
106. Call a friend you haven’t spoken with in over a year
108. Take a long walk in your area along a new route
111. Improve your diet
112. Quit something (tobacco, alcohol, sugar, a social media network, television, a toxic relationship, etc.)
113. Research games to play with your kids
114. Ask your parents questions about their lives
115. Attend the theatre / performing arts
116. Go to a museum in your area you haven’t been to before
117. Have a goal-setting session with your significant other
Contribute an idea
Do you have an idea you’d like to contribute for using your time productively between projects? Please email us here.
