Contents
We are glad to welcome you, dear readers! Day planning is an integral part in the life of every successful person. Otherwise, how can one make sense of the variety of tasks set for accomplishment, so as not to lose sight of any of them? Therefore, today we will consider how to properly approach this issue, as well as what tricks can simplify the process itself.
Recommendations
1. Diary
Write down your goals and plans for the day in a diary. You should definitely get them, and now you will understand why:
- So you free your head from a whole bunch of unnecessary information that you are constantly trying to keep. Yes, and there will be no need to write countless stickers, reminders, and more. After all, you still have to look for them, by the way.
- You will be able to distribute tasks for the week without taking on too much. On paper, with deadlines and duration, it becomes clear how realistic it is to fulfill the plan. And, if necessary, make adjustments.
- During the day, you won’t have to spend time and resources deciding what to do from the list, as you will already create a task queue in advance.
- It will always be at hand, and even after six months you will be able to review what and what time you did on a particular day of interest.
You will receive more detailed information on how to select and fill it out in this article.
2. Tomato
If you have accumulated a large number of cases that require a little time to solve them, then choose a free day and deal with them. The most optimal is the tomato technique, this is when a timer is set for 25 minutes and a person is actively working without being distracted by anything.
After the timer goes off, he takes a 5-minute break, after which he returns to duties again for a 25-minute period. You can find more information about this method here.
3. Sleep
To have the strength to work, you need to get enough sleep. At the very least, rest should take no less than 8 hours, and no more than 9-10. Otherwise, the whole day will be accompanied by lethargy and unwillingness to be active.
So calculate the time so that you have time to work hard and recover even, despite the fact that you need to do a lot. It is better to abandon some idea and plan in favor of sleep.
4. Time to plan
It is necessary to make a plan either the night before or in the morning. There is still an opportunity to review it and change something, correct it.
5. Smart cards
The smart card method helps a lot. It facilitates the planning process itself and makes it more creative, interesting. Its essence lies in the fact that you schematically depict what you are used to describing in words. Because it is easier for our brain to “read” and reproduce information. And yes, it saves a lot of time.
Try to come up with your own symbols for the most common cases. Then the process of filling out the diary will speed up, which can be easily opened with another person, without fear that he will read your notes. If you are interested in this method, check out the article, which describes in detail the mind mapping algorithm.
6. Load distribution
Analyze when you are most active and energetic, at what time of the day. Depending on this, distribute the load, the most difficult things should fall on the peak of activity. For example, owls «swing» only in the evening, so in the morning it is useless to demand results from them.
7. Overload
Always check for reality. Let’s say you fit in on time, but in terms of the intensity of the resources spent, both physical and moral — not really. Then, by the end of the working day, you will “drag” your legs, which threatens with nervous exhaustion, because of which you risk completely falling out of the process for a long period.
So, despite the deadlines, take care of yourself, and, if possible, delegate duties to other employees. And in order to avoid the «burnout effect», when strength disappears and a persistent aversion to one’s profession appears, one should not neglect vacations and weekends.
Therefore, in your diary, at least one day a week should be free so that you can devote it to yourself, relax and gain strength. If the consequences of excessive stress have already made themselves felt, use the recommendations indicated in the article «10 main methods of getting rid of stress and its consequences.»
8. Turnover and analysis
If you didn’t manage to complete some item, be sure to write it down in the schedule for the next day. But this is in the case of force majeure, it is best not to allow yourself such a thing. And by the way, in the evening it is imperative to sum up what has been done, what has caused difficulties, and how the implementation process can be accelerated.
9. Priorities
Do not forget about priority, mark the most important in a separate color or circle. By the way, in prioritization, the Eisenhower table will help you.
10. Reserve time
Always leave at least an hour in reserve for various unforeseen situations, then you will not have to rewrite the finished plan. Yes, and there will be less regret from the fact that it was not possible to do everything on time.
11. Not one step back
Pay attention to your willpower, determination and perseverance. Because, inspired by the story of some successful person, and wanting to follow her example, on impulses of enthusiasm, it is easy to draw up and distribute tasks for every day. But there will definitely come a moment when you want to postpone it for later, or you will lose interest in structuring your life altogether.
And, before throwing the notebook somewhere far away or starting to use it for other purposes, think about how often you managed to finish what you started? Maybe it has not been possible to realize some of your desires so far precisely because you cannot fix your attention on the same thing for a long time? It is instability and laziness that are the main enemies in the field of time management. Otherwise, how can you manage your time without having the willpower to force yourself to do what you have planned?
You will find recommendations on how to fix this in the article about willpower. And remember that a habit is developed in 21 days, you just have to make a little effort, work, and then, as if on a roll, you will automatically schedule the day.
12. Online helpers
In the world of modern technology, online programs come to the rescue. They allow you to automatically organize tasks, make adjustments, and even set alarms that will signal an upcoming meeting and more.
And, in case of a change in plans, you won’t have to scribble a sheet or, in general, tear it out and then rewrite it. So, if you are interested, a list of interesting assistants is here.
Conclusion
And that’s all for today, dear readers! Take care of your time, it tends to pass quickly, unnoticed. And, having acquired a diary, you yourself will notice that you have much more time than before. So, good luck and be patient!