Calendly Free Plan: How to set availability that respects your boundaries
When you are starting or growing a service-based business people need to book a session with you.
If you don't have a scheduling system set up, you need one ASAP. (See below to be convinced!)
More importantly than just having an appointment scheduler, knowing how much and when to work is huge!
Your availability is key to sustainably and successfully running and growing your business without burning out.
Imagine how much easier your life would be if you knew exactly how many hours you could take calls and could simply send people a link to book a call that works for them.
That’s why free appointment schedulers, like Calendly, were created.
In this blog, I'm going to step you through how to set your availability that respects your boundaries allowing you to run your business with more ease AND energy.
Why using a free appointment scheduler (Like Calendly) is so amazing?
When you use the Calendly free plan, you no longer have to go back and forth with folks on finding a time that works for both of you. It automatically converts time zones for both of you. Events will automatically be put into your calendar and send reminders to the person who’s signed up.
If you want to take all the decisions and guesswork out of this super-important piece of your business, saving your time and energy for the call itself, set up a free appointment scheduler ASAP.
A Calendly free plan is here to help you simplify and stay true to your boundaries. If you’re still on the fence about Calendly, Calendar.com has this really amazing and comprehensive guide and tutorial.
Once you’ve set up your free plan account (if you didn’t have it already), it’s time to dig into the real topic here. Your availability!
Why knowing your availability is so important
Your availability is a resource to protect and be a good steward of. Knowing when you work and being able to easily communicate your availability is so important. It allows you to…
Show up confident and on top of things with clients, partners, networking calls, and anyone else you might meet up with.
Allows you to join in other events and continuing education programs, knowing you can actually do it without stress and overwhelm.
Know and utilize other days in the week to rest and work on your business.
Show up for the calls you do have more energized and present… usually leading to better transformation, connection, and success for both parties.
Avoid scheduling conflicts.
Determine your pricing for your offers more effectively and realistically.
In summary, it allows you to sustainably and successfully run and grow your business without burning out.
Speaking of, burnout. Check out this major burnout red flag!
Don’t let this be you! (If this is you, no shame. I’ve been there, and I think everyone has at some point. I got you. Keep reading)
What goes into determining your availability?
So many things. Your availability is essentially the same as determining your capacity. If success, sustainability, and enjoying your life are important to you… it’s a non-negotiable to take into account these things below:
How many hours you WANT to work
Your hourly rate (directly calculated from hours you want to work)
Physical health: How much physical energy you typically have and how much energy calls take.
Mental health: How much mental energy you have and how much calls take.
External circumstances like kids, a partner, and other responsibilities.
Time zones for both you and your clientele.
Holidays/special days off/etc.
Once you have all this information laid out for you, you can determine your availability.
I’m a super visual person so before adding anything to Calendly, I like to set it up in my google calendar. I use a holistic and custom-made weekly template to show my availability.
Now set your availability in Calendly!
Log in (Sign up if you haven’t used it before)
Toggle over to availability. Make sure you have one availability called “working hours” and all your events are linked to it.
Add in your availability (I like to see it in list view.)
Double-check that your events use your working hours.
BONUS: In your events, you can add buffers to events so you won’t have back-to-back calls to recoup your energy and take a short break.
Don’t forget to keep your availability up to date when circumstances change in your life.
And that’s all you need to do to set up your availability in Calendly!
Did you know I can support you in holistically determining your availability for sustainable success?
Click here to read more about and book a Sustainable Schedule VIP Day.
Feeling overwhelmed in life? Take a deep breath with this powerful story.
Have you seen that meme that’s like…
“I’m just trying to survive while working 8 hours a day, while being a parent, while starting a side hustle, while making sure my house stays somewhat clean, while also trying to take care of myself?”
Amy was living that day in and day out.
Joy? Forget about it.
If you’re living that right now too, I see you.
Take a deeeep breath.
Maybe another one.
And another.
While you may want to burn everything to the ground today, I’m here to remind you that something different is possible.
A overwhelm and stress-free (or at least a looooot less) might feel impossible today, and as a holistic time coach, I’m here to remind you it is possible.
Let Amy’s story give you hope that a life full of ease, peace, and balance can happen for you too.
Want the journey towards that life to be a lot easier (and quicker)? I invite you to work with me!
Tell us who you are and what you do.
My name is Amy Cissell. I’m a USA Today Bestselling Author of paranormal women’s fiction, paranormal romance, and contemporary fantasy. And I’m a day jobber.
What was your business and life like before you began working with me?
I was overwhelmed & felt guilty about being overwhelmed.
I had too many things to do, unrealistic goals, and a fear of saying no to more and more.
I was balancing parenting, a day job, an insane writing schedule, a side hustle, and taking care of house stuff.
I felt terrible and worked from 7 am - 10 or 11 pm almost every day, less dinner times.
I took almost zero time to take care of myself, and I didn't even know what was important.
What doubts did you have before working together?
I really didn't think anything would change. I didn't know HOW it could.
There was so much to do and unless this was magic "make more time/time turner" situation, there was no way to get through my to-do lists any faster or to cure the procrastination that I felt so guilty about.
I worried it would be a gigantic waste of money.
What surprised you about working with me?
It was so fun! And positive. I learned things about myself - something I didn't expect after 4.5 decades of living and a million therapists.
What has happened in your life or business since we worked together?
I have learned to say no.
I scaled back my side hustle (editing for indie authors) to my two favorite clients in 2022 and made sure that everyone knows I'm not available for more.
I planned my 2022 writing schedule with realism so I won't find myself stressed and overwhelmed about my goals.
I was able to take a leap to a new day job that will pay more and better benefits knowing that it's not forever and I can make everything work without feeling like I've done too much.
I've made more on royalties in 2021 than ever before, and my editing business is booked through 2022, so I know what my income stream will look like.
I have discovered what I enjoy about NOT working, and although it's sometimes still a struggle, I no longer feel (very) guilty when I take that time for myself.
I take every other Sunday completely off work, and every other Saturday off after 3 pm.
I take time in the mornings to enjoy my solitude before jumping into my schedule.
What would you say to someone considering hiring Becca?
It's literally life-changing.
I work less, have waaaaaaay less stress, and am getting at least as much done.
I've remembered what gives me joy and try to link everything I have to do with that.
I don't have to find joy in my day job, but I can find joy BECAUSE of it.
I have the money to do things I love to do and I know that there is no reason to always be on 100% all the time.