5 Steps to Elevate Your Online Business on a Snow Day
A personal blueprint from Lake Arrowhead, CA, for turning winter storms into a productivity goldmine.
I’m writing this from my home in Lake Arrowhead, California, where we already have about 10 inches of snow on the ground—and the forecast calls for a whopping 18 inches more in the coming days. It’s a true winter wonderland up here, but it also means I’ve been juggling classic winter chores, like shoveling the driveway, salting the stairs, and carefully maneuvering my Land Rover and Tesla (EVs and snow aren’t exactly best friends!). Once I got the cars situated and the steps de-iced, I realized something: these cozy snowbound moments are a golden opportunity to kick my online business into high gear.
Below is my personal 5-step blueprint for staying productive (and sane) during snow days, no matter how much powder piles up outside. Think of it as a proactive plan to turn stormy weather into a catalyst for serious progress—so you can keep building your online empire, one flake at a time.
1. Set a Clear, Short-Term Goal
Why This Matters
When you’re looking at piles of snow and a forecast that keeps climbing, it’s all too easy to slip into a Netflix binge or get lost in daydreams about tropical vacations. But snow days can be surprisingly freeing—you’re less tempted by errands or social outings because the weather’s got you pinned at home. This becomes prime time for a quick, focused push on one project. By choosing a single, achievable goal, you sidestep overwhelm and can give it your undivided attention.
How to Do It
Identify the Project: Maybe you want to finalize the outline for a new digital product, draft a newsletter series, or refine your course syllabus.
Get Specific: Phrase your goal like, “Write three blog posts,” or “Edit four course videos,” rather than “Do some work.” The more concrete, the better.
Timebox It: Decide how many hours or blocks of time you’ll devote. This sets mental boundaries and makes it more likely you’ll actually finish.
Personal Note
For me, it was reworking parts of my online course curriculum. Since the driveway was already shoveled and the cars were out of the way, I knew I had a solid block of uninterrupted hours to tackle the updates I’d been putting off. Nothing like the quiet hush of falling snow to help you focus.
2. Organize a “Snow Day Sprint” Schedule
Why This Matters
A day off due to snow can lull you into thinking, “I’ve got so many hours—I’ll just do it later.” Next thing you know, it’s dinnertime and you’ve done nothing but watch reruns. Mapping out a mini-schedule helps you gain clarity and momentum, ensuring you don’t fritter away this golden block of time.
How to Do It
Divide Your Day: Break the day into 2–3 work blocks. For instance, a morning block, an early-afternoon block, and a late-afternoon block.
Build in Micro-Breaks: Schedule short breaks for tea, hot cocoa, or quick glances outside to admire the snow. This keeps your energy up without killing your flow.
Plan a Reward: Give yourself a post-sprint treat, like a cozy movie night or reading session by the window. Having a small reward at the end can boost your motivation.
Personal Note
I set my alarm for 6:30 a.m. (still dark outside, but the snow glow was magical). From 7:00 to 10:00, I tackled course editing. Then I took a half-hour break to see if I needed to re-salt the stairs. The second block ran from 10:30 to 1:00, focused on scheduling social media posts. By lunchtime, I’d already done more than I typically do in a regular workday. The third block let me polish up some leftover tasks.
3. Dive into a Solo “Deep Learning” Session
Why This Matters
Sometimes the best way to push your business forward is to level up your knowledge base. Snow days are perfect for immersing yourself in a new skill, strategy, or tool—completely on your own. No external meetings required. Whether it’s mastering an email marketing platform, brushing up on SEO, or finally figuring out those design software quirks, a focused session can accelerate your growth.
How to Do It
Pick One Topic: Rather than cramming multiple skill sets, pick a single subject you’ve been meaning to tackle—like learning advanced automation sequences in your email platform.
Gather Resources: Queue up relevant tutorials, courses, or articles. Have them ready so you don’t waste half the day searching.
Take Action: As you learn, apply it in real time. If you’re studying SEO, optimize a blog post or two. If it’s design software, create a small mock-up to test your new skills.
Personal Note
I realized I’d been ignoring some advanced features in my funnel-building software. So on a snowy afternoon, I grabbed a tutorial series I’d bookmarked, watched a few videos back-to-back, and started experimenting with new funnel recipes. By the end of the day, I had concrete improvements to my sales process and a deeper understanding of the tool—no outside help needed.
4. Do a “Fireside” Content Creation Session
Why This Matters
When snow blankets your surroundings, there’s a special calm that can fuel creativity. Content—be it blog posts, podcast episodes, or video shoots—often requires focus and a bit of inspiration. Snowy days naturally provide that “cozy” vibe, making it easier to settle into a creative flow.
How to Do It
Set the Mood: If you have a fireplace, light it up. If not, play a fireplace video on YouTube for ambiance (seriously, the crackling sounds help).
Pick Your Format: Decide if you’re recording a podcast, filming a short video, or writing. Keep the scope small so you can actually finish in one day.
Embrace the Winter Aesthetic: Mention the snow or show a quick view of it if you’re filming. This personalizes your content and makes it feel timely.
Personal Note
I settled into my living room, fireplace roaring, laptop on my lap, parrot on my shoulder (I live with an African Grey), and started drafting newsletter articles for the next month. Knowing the snow was piling up outside oddly made me feel more zen. I ended up cranking out twice the content I’d planned, and each piece had a warm, conversational tone that matched my surroundings.
5. Celebrate and Prep for the Next Wave
Why This Matters
Snow days can be a natural reset. Once the day is winding down, you want to take stock of what you accomplished and how you can roll that momentum into tomorrow—whether tomorrow is another snow day or a return to normal.
How to Do It
Review Your Wins: Jot down what you got done, whether it’s finishing a course module or outlining a new marketing campaign. Seeing it on paper affirms you used your time well.
Note the Leftovers: Any half-finished tasks can go on tomorrow’s list. Keep a running log so you don’t lose that progress.
Give Yourself a Break: Reward yourself with a hot bath, a favorite show, or a cozy night reading. Positive reinforcement helps you mentally connect productivity with positive feelings.
Personal Note
After my big sprint, I made a cup of coffee, sat by the window to watch the snow drift down, and skimmed through my newly updated to-do list. I’d done way more than I anticipated—maybe the winter chores got me into a “get it done” mindset. Knowing I could roll right into the next tasks the following day made the evening extra relaxing.
Ready to Build a Business That Thrives in Any Weather?
Snow or shine, a profitable online business thrives on solid systems, clarity, and consistent action. If you’re looking for a blueprint to scale your digital venture—courses, memberships, freelancing, or something else—my Online Business Blueprint has you covered. It walks you step-by-step through:
Identifying a niche you’ll actually enjoy
Building digital products or services that people can’t wait to buy
Creating funnels that turn casual browsers into paying customers
Scaling so you’re not stuck reinventing the wheel every snowy day
Click Here to enroll in the Online Business Blueprint and turn every snow day into a profitable opportunity.
Because honestly, if you can be productive when your driveway’s buried under 10 inches of snow (and an extra 8 on the way)—imagine what you can accomplish when the skies are clear. Grab your hot drink, queue up your favorite playlist, and see just how far a little “snow day hustle” can take you.