Episodes

  • The Busyness Myth: Why More Work ≠ More Success

    The Busyness Myth: Why More Work ≠ More Success

    · Focused on Time

    The Busyness Myth: Why More Work ≠ More Success

    Does being busy mean you’re being productive? Or is it just something we say to feel like we’re working hard? In this episode, we’re breaking down the busyness myth—why working long hours isn’t the key to success, how Parkinson’s Law is stealing your time, and the mindset shift that will help you work smarter, not harder.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    ✔ Why busyness doesn’t equal success
    ✔ The hidden cost of always being busy (hello, burnout!)
    ✔ How to set boundaries so work doesn’t take over your life
    ✔ A simple exercise to help you spend more time on what truly matters

    Your Focus Assignment:
    Track your time for three days. Write down everything you do during your work hours, then highlight the tasks that actually move your business forward. Once you see where your time is going, make a plan to cut back on low-value tasks and focus on the ones that truly make an impact.

    Resources & Links:
    📌 focusedontime.com/busyness-myth
    📌 Newsletter: https://ragamuffin.myflodesk.com/focusedontime

  • Writing a Phone Script

    Writing a Phone Script

    · Focused on Time

    Do you dread picking up the phone to talk to clients? Or feel like your beautifully written emails are getting lost in translation? In this episode of Focused on Time, I’m sharing how creating client scripts transformed my business—and my relationship with phone calls. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, client scripts can save you time, keep you on track, and help you connect with clients on a deeper level.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:

    My journey from severe phone anxiety to confidently connecting with clients.

    Why responding to client enquiries over the phone is more impactful than email.

    The benefits of client scripts: consistency, time savings, and a confidence boost.

    Step-by-step tips for creating your own client script.

    How to use scripts naturally without sounding robotic.

    Why Phone Calls Matter:

    Responding to enquiries over the phone instead of email is a simple but powerful way to stand out. In today’s world of endless emails and texts, a personal phone call makes a lasting impression. It shows clients that you value them enough to make the effort to connect as humans. Plus, it builds trust and rapport right from the start, which is essential for a strong client relationship.

    Free Download:

    Ready to get started with client scripts? Download my free Enquiry Call Template at focusedousedontime.com/phone-scripts.. This resource will help you structure your calls with confidence and clarity.

    Focus Assignment of the Week:

    This week’s Focus Assignment is all about getting started with client scripts:

    Download the free template at focusedontime.com/phone-scripts.

    Outline the key points you need to cover in your client calls, such as your greeting, the info to gather, and answers to common questions.

    Draft your script in your own voice. Make it conversational and easy to follow.

    Practice it out loud. Record yourself or role-play with a friend to get comfortable.

    Your script doesn’t have to be perfect—just get started! Over time, you can tweak and refine it as you gain experience.

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  • Welcome to the Focused on Time Show

    Welcome to the Focused on Time Show

    · Focused on Time

    Welcome to Focused on Time, the podcast that’s all about helping photographers spend less time in the busy work and more time doing what truly matters. I’m Caitlin J. McColl – professional photographer, productivity geek, and firm believer in building a business that works for your lifestyle.

    Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflows, master time management, or learn how to outsource with confidence, this podcast is here to give you the tools and strategies to reclaim your time. Let’s help you get back to what's important – whether that’s being creative, growing your business, connecting with clients, or simply enjoying life with your loved ones.

    I am so excited to kick things off with this very first episode! Today, I want to introduce myself, share the “why” behind this podcast, and give you a glimpse of what you can expect in the episodes to come.

    Who I Am

    Let me start by sharing a bit about myself. I’ve been a professional pet photographer for over 15 years, specializing in outdoor, natural-style portraits of dogs. Over that time, I’ve built a business I truly love – but I also know how easy it is to get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks that can suck the joy out of what we do.

    For years, I struggled with balancing all the hats we wear as photographers – shooting, editing, marketing, bookkeeping, client communication
 the list goes on. But over time, I started diving deep into systems, automation, and productivity strategies, and it was a game-changer.

    Now, my business is not only successful but also efficient, giving me more freedom to spend time with my family – including my two little boys, my husband Ben, and of course, our rescue dog Maple and our bearded dragon Puff.

    That’s why I’m so passionate about helping other photographers take back their time.

    The “Why” Behind the Podcast

    I created Focused on Time because I believe that time is the most valuable resource we have. We can always make more money, but we can’t make more time.

    I’ve seen so many photographers overwhelmed by their to-do lists, feeling like they’re chained to their computers instead of being out in the world doing what they love. And it doesn’t have to be that way.

    Through this podcast, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned, the tools I’ve discovered, and the strategies that have helped me – and many others – find more time, more balance, and more joy in their work.

    What to Expect

    So, what can you expect from Focused on Time?

    In each episode, I’ll cover topics like:

    How to streamline your workflows and cut down on repetitive tasks. Practical tips for mastering time management, even when life gets hectic. How to confidently outsource the things you don’t have to do yourself – like editing, admin, or social media. The tools, apps, and systems that can make your business run smoother. And ways to create a business that supports your life, not the other way around.

    Here’s the best part – most episodes will be short and sweet. I know your time is valuable, so I keep the chitty chat to a minimum and focus on packing each episode with actionable advice you can start using right away.

    Some episodes will dive deep into one specific topic, while others might feature guest experts who can share their own tips and experiences. But no matter what, every episode is designed to save you time and make your life a little easier.

    Each you'll get your Weekly Focus Assignment. A small, actionable task to try out in the next week to make your business just a little more streamlined.

    These assignments are designed to be simple but effective, helping you take small steps toward big productivity gains. Whether it’s tweaking a workflow, automating a process, or carving out time for something important, the goal is to help you make real progress without feeling overwhelmed.

    This Week's Focus Assignment

    Is simply to subscribe to the podcast!