We all hear about super successful people who get up at 5am and are super productive. That doesn’t mean, of course, that if you sleep until 8, you can’t be just as productive. My experience has been that how you plan your day is more important than when you set your alarm clock.
The best daily plan starts before the day begins. Spend a few minutes at the end of each workday preparing for tomorrow. Review your calendar, task list, meetings, and deadlines. Then decide what deserves your attention. When morning arrives, you already know where to begin.
One common mistake is creating a task list that is too long. A list with twenty tasks can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, identify three important things you want to accomplish. These should be tasks that will make you feel the day was successful when you finish them.
Your calendar should support your task list. A task list tells you what needs to be done. Your calendar tells you when you’ll do it. If the presentation will take two hours, block two hours on your calendar. During that time, focus only on the presentation. Don’t allow email or minor requests to take over that time.
Also protect your most productive hours. Many people think most clearly early in the day. Others work better later. Pay attention to when you have the most energy. Schedule demanding work during those periods. Save routine activities for times when your energy is lower.
Distractions can quickly destroy a good plan. Email notifications, text messages, phone calls, and social media can interrupt your concentration. Instead of checking email every few minutes, set aside specific times for it. During focused work, silence unnecessary notifications and put your phone aside.
Don’t schedule every minute of your day. Unexpected problems will always show up. A meeting may run late, a client may call, or an urgent problem may need attention. Leave some open space in your schedule. This flexibility keeps one interruption from ruining your entire day.
Your plan should also include breaks. Working nonstop doesn’t make you more productive. Short breaks can help restore your attention and energy. Use a break to walk, get some water, or simply step away from your work.
At the end of the day, spend a few minutes reviewing your results. Ask yourself three questions: What did I finish? What didn’t I finish? What needs to happen tomorrow? Move unfinished tasks to another day instead of carrying them around mentally.
More ideas…..
A Scheduling Trick To Plan Your Day
Why 74% of Workers Don’t Finish Their Day’s Work
Want to learn more easy-to-follow tricks to be more productive? Check out my online course, “Pathway To Productivity and Better Time Management HERE.
Dave Edwards Media 