Time Mastery: Prioritize 20\/10\/10 Framework

Hey there, SoloGrit community! It’s the first week of the new year, and many of us are diving headfirst into resolutions, vision boards, and setting ambitious goals. While all of these are great for creating focus, they can also stress our ability to manage time effectively. Without mastering your time, even the best intentions can fall apart.

I’ve been there. A few years ago, I was juggling multiple projects, trying to grow my business, and saying “yes” to everything. I thought being busy equaled being productive.

Spoiler: It didn’t. I hit a wall and realized I needed to rethink how I approached my days. That’s when I discovered a principle that transformed how I work and live:

Time Mastery. The 20/10/10 Weekly Time Framework.

This GRIT Guide is designed to help you lead with time mastery—because if you don’t take control of your time, nothing else will get done.

Let’s explore how to focus on what truly matters and set yourself up for success in 2025.

The Core Idea: Time Mastery for Leadership Solopreneurs

Time Mastery isn’t about working harder or longer; it’s about working smarter. It’s about aligning your efforts with your goals and ensuring that every hour counts. To do this, we’ll use a simple framework called 20/10/10.

20 Hours: Revenue-generating work
10 Hours: Networking
10 Hours: Learning and personal development

This structure ensures you’re not only growing your business but also building relationships and investing in yourself.

Download the SoloGrit 20/10/10

Time Mastery Worksheet

Practical Ideas for Mastering Your Time

1. Identify Your High-Value Tasks (HVTs)

Start by figuring out which tasks directly contribute to your business’s success. These are the activities that bring in revenue, improve your processes, or help you deliver exceptional value to your clients.

Example: If you’re a consultant, your HVTs might include client calls, creating proposals, or delivering workshops. If it doesn’t drive results, delegate it or cut it out.

2. Create a Weekly Time Map

Use the 20/10/10 framework to structure your week. Here’s how you might break it down:

Monday-Wednesday: Focus on revenue-generating work. Schedule client projects, sales calls, or product development during these days.

Thursday: Dedicate time to networking. Join a SoloGrit Community, engage on LinkedIn, or attend an industry event.

Friday: Use this day for learning and personal growth. Read a book, attend a webinar, or work on a skill you’ve been meaning to improve.

Tip: Block time on your calendar for these activities to ensure they happen.

3. Set Clear Boundaries

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re your own boss. Define clear work hours, and stick to them. Turn off notifications, close unnecessary tabs, and let people know when you’re unavailable.

Example Tools: Use apps like Focus@Will for deep work sessions or a simple timer to stay on track.

4. Delegate and Automate

Identify repetitive tasks that can be automated or handed off.

Example: Use AI tools for scheduling, automate email follow-ups, or hire a virtual assistant to handle admin work. Freeing up these hours lets you focus on what matters most.

5. Reflect and Adjust Weekly

Spend 30 minutes every Sunday reviewing your week. Ask yourself:

What worked well?

What didn’t work?

What needs to shift for next week?

This habit helps you stay aligned with your goals and continuously improve your time management.

The 20/10/10 Principle: How to Balance Your Week

Let’s dive deeper into the 20/10/10 principle and why it works:

20 Hours of Revenue-Generating Work

Focus on activities that directly bring in income, such as client work, sales calls, or launching products. These tasks should make up the bulk of your workweek.

Example: If you’re a fractional executive, your 20 hours might include strategic planning sessions, client deliverables, or drafting proposals.

10 Hours of Networking

Relationships are the backbone of long-term success. Spend time building and strengthening your network. Attend events, schedule virtual coffee chats, or engage on social platforms.

Example: Use the SoloGrit Lunch Club to meet fellow solopreneurs or reach out to someone on LinkedIn whose work you admire.

10 Hours of Learning and Personal Development

Commit to growing yourself. Whether it’s improving a skill, learning a new tool, or focusing on personal wellness, these hours are an investment in your future.

Example: Sign up for a course on advanced marketing strategies, read a book on leadership, or attend a mindset-focused webinar.

Download the SoloGrit 20/10/10

Time Mastery Worksheet

🫵 Weekly Challenge

Here’s my challenge for you: This week, take one step to build a new connection. You can:

1. Map Out Your Week: Use your calendar to block time for the 20/10/10 framework.

2. Eliminate One Distraction: Identify a time-waster (e.g., social media scrolling, unnecessary meetings) and cut it out.

3. Schedule One Networking Activity: Reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while, book a virtual coffee chat, or participate in a SoloGrit community event.

4. Choose One Skill to Develop: Pick a skill to help you grow personally or professionally. Dedicate time this week to working on it.

5. Reflect and Celebrate: Review your progress at the end of the week. What worked? What didn’t? Celebrate small wins and adjust for next week.

Time mastery is about intentionality. By focusing on what truly matters, you’ll get more done and feel more fulfilled. Start small, stay consistent, and watch your efforts grow over time.

2025 is your year to take control of your time and build the life and business you’ve envisioned.

And remember—you might be solo, but you’re never alone.

Post your response in the Happy Hour space of the community and see what others have experienced. Let’s inspire each other with our journeys!

That’s it for this week’s Weekly GRIT Guide! If this post helped you share it with a fellow leadership solopreneur who needs to develop their business with GRIT.

Let’s grow together! 💪