As a dad who's spent over 20,000 hours building and ranking websites and running SEO and SEM campaigns, I've learned the art of balancing work and life. My name is Eugene, and today, I want to share my journey of breaking free from the conventional 9-to-5 grind to pursue what I love while managing the chaos of fatherhood.
Finding Time in the Chaos
Life as a dad is a whirlwind of activities. Whether riding my bike between meetings, walking the dogs on the beach, or juggling school drop-offs and pickups, time is always in short supply. But that doesn't stop me from doing what I love. I've found ways to integrate work into my daily routine. For example, I'll shoot quick videos while out and about. Sure, I've had my share of mishaps—like accidentally swallowing a fly mid-video—but the key is to keep pushing forward despite the little hiccups.
Streamlining with SOPs
I rely heavily on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to manage my hectic schedule. These are the lifelines that keep my business running smoothly. Creating SOPs has been a game-changer, ensuring that my team knows exactly what needs to be done without constant supervision.
Our video production SOP is a great example:
- Video Editing: My team logs into CapCut, retrieves the video files from the cloud, and processes them. We've standardized the filters and edits to maintain a consistent look and feel.
- Captioning and Editing: We remove filler words and add captions to make the videos more engaging and accessible.
- Thumbnail Creation: Designing eye-catching thumbnails is crucial for attracting viewers, so we have a set template that we follow.
These procedures ensure my team can handle the workload seamlessly, even when I'm busy with family duties.
Evolving with Experience
Creating effective SOPs took time and countless hours of trial and error. But after doing this repeatedly, I've honed the process to a point where it's second nature. This repetition has been crucial, and I've applied it to many areas of my life and work. It's about doing something enough times that it becomes almost instinctual.
Continuous Improvement
One thing I've learned is the importance of continuously improving my SOPs. Regularly reviewing and refining these procedures keeps them relevant and efficient. Sometimes, I discover no longer necessary steps or find new tools that can automate parts of the process. This constant evolution helps me stay ahead in the fast-paced world of digital marketing.
Balancing Work and Passion
Running a digital marketing agency while being a dad is challenging. There are days when the demands of family and work seem overwhelming. However, by having well-defined SOPs, I can ensure that my business runs smoothly even when my attention is divided. This balance allows me to spend quality time with my family while pursuing my passion for digital marketing.
Embracing Automation
Whenever possible, I look for ways to automate repetitive tasks. This not only saves time but also reduces the margin for error. Automation tools have been a godsend, allowing me to focus on more strategic aspects of my business. This approach has allowed me to innovate and explore new ideas without getting bogged down by routine tasks.
Sharing My Knowledge
Having spent so much time perfecting my craft, I feel responsible for sharing what I've learned. Whether through videos, blogs, or mentoring, I find immense satisfaction in helping others navigate the complexities of digital marketing. Seeing others succeed using the strategies and procedures I've developed over the years is incredibly rewarding.
The Joy of Freedom
Ultimately, breaking free to do what I love has been about creating a life that allows me to spend time with my family and pursue my passions. It's about setting up systems that enable my business to run efficiently without my constant involvement. By doing so, I've found a balance that brings me joy and fulfilment.