May 29, 2025, Issue #13

Hello!

You know those rare moments when the pace of work lets up just enough for you to catch your breath? They can feel a little strange, especially if you're used to being in go mode. But those pauses can also be incredibly useful if you know how to use them.

Instead of rushing to fill the space, I’ve learned to treat it as a chance to reset, refocus, and fine-tune the parts of my business that don’t always get my full attention. In this issue, I’m sharing seven practical ways to make that time count.

All the best,

Laurie

Laurie McAleenan

Virtual Assistant

Task Owl Va, LLC

Listen Instead

When Business Slows Down: 7 Productive Ways to Reboot

If you’re anything like me, you thrive when your schedule is full. So when an unexpected pocket of time opens up, whether from a canceled project, a seasonal shift, or a little breathing room, it can feel oddly disorienting.

Earlier this year, I found myself in that exact situation. After wrapping up a few big client deliverables, I had a brief pause before the next wave of work. Instead of filling the space with busywork, I used it to reset, taking time to fine-tune my workspace and review some often-overlooked areas of my business.

If you’re experiencing something similar, here are 7 smart ways to make the most of that breathing room.

1. Evaluate Your Business from the Outside In

How does your business show up to someone seeing it for the first time?

• Listen to your voicemail greeting. Is it clear, friendly, and up to date?
• Review your email signature—does it include your phone number and a clear call to action?
• Read your homepage and opt into your own newsletter. What’s the user experience like?

If you're unsure where to begin, this blog post on How to Look Professional as a Solo Business Owner walks you through essential areas to check, from branding basics to overlooked client touchpoints. It's a great guide to help you polish your professional image with confidence.

Take this opportunity to audit your digital presence and clean up anything that feels outdated, inconsistent, or unclear.

2. Refresh Your Online Profiles

Visit your LinkedIn, Google Business, and Alignable pages. Ask yourself:

• Is my headshot recent and professional?
• Do my services and location reflect my current offerings?
• Have I requested any new testimonials lately?

A few tweaks can go a long way in helping people find and trust you online.

3. Repurpose Past Content

Your past newsletters and blogs are gold—don’t let them gather dust.

Now’s the time to:

• Add old newsletters to your website
• Turn them into social media posts
• Refresh older blog posts with updated tips or keywords
• Use ChatGPT to help you repurpose your newsletter or blog posts into social media content.

4. Clear Out the “Tolerations”

You know the ones. The printer you have to restart every time. The stack of papers in the corner. The inbox folder labeled “Important” that’s... not.

Cleaning up these little annoyances frees up mental bandwidth and smooths out your day-to-day flow.

5. Reclaim Your Desk Space

Remove everything. Clean it. Only bring back what you need. That’s it. Your brain (and your workday) will thank you.

Purchase some new supplies like pens and highlighters. Be sure to throw away the ones running low or dried up.

6. Review and Organize Your Finances

Why wait until tax season to get your books in order?

Use this downtime to:

• Categorize your expenses
• Check for subscription renewals
• Review your rates and client billing

You might even spot opportunities for saving or growth.

7. Map Out Your Next Big Move

Have a project idea you've been pushing off? Now’s the time to plan it.

Whether it’s launching a new offer, streamlining operations, or setting up that long-overdue system, use this moment to make progress.

Final Thought

Downtime can feel strange when you’re used to running at full speed. But instead of seeing it as lost momentum, view it as an opportunity. Take a breath. Then use the space to level up your business intentionally, so you’re ready when the pace picks back up.

Book Recommendations

Free Time: Lose the Busywork, Love Your Business by Jenny Blake

If you’ve ever felt buried in busywork, Free Time is the guide you didn’t know you needed. Jenny Blake offers smart, sustainable strategies to help entrepreneurs systematize their business, reduce overwhelm, and create more space to think, lead, and grow. It’s perfect for small business owners who want to work smarter, not harder, and build a business that runs with more ease and less stress.

Buy "Free Time" Now

About Task Owl VA

Hi, I’m Laurie McAleenan—the founder and remote executive assistant behind Task Owl VA, a trusted partner for solo entrepreneurs and small business owners who are ready to reclaim their time.

If you're juggling everything from inbox management to project coordination, marketing tasks, and daily admin, I can help you stay organized and focused.

My fractional business support services are designed to take the pressure off, so you can spend more time on strategy, client relationships, and growth.

You don’t have to do it all alone. Let’s streamline your operations and lighten your workload.

👉 Book a free 30-minute discovery call to explore how Task Owl VA can support your business success.