Every now and then, many of us wonder, “How to plan my day?” or “How to organize my life?” There isn’t a magic book to answer these questions, but no need to feel disheartened. Consider trying out a few of the recommendations below and learn how to take care of yourself and your schedule.
Do one thing at a time
Are you familiar with the concept of channel capacity? According to it, our conscious mind can work with approximately seven concepts at a time. But it doesn’t mean that doing endless tasks simultaneously will be productive. In fact, our working memory has its limitations, which often affect the speed of task execution and the quality of the result. Therefore, multitasking shouldn’t become the core principle in designing your schedule. Instead, try the 80/20 principle.
To cut it short, analyze your daily tasks. Completing which of them will benefit you the most? Think about it a little bit and find those 20% of tasks that will lead to 80% of success, and plan your day accordingly. Even 20% of tasks can provide 80% of your satisfaction and streamline your day.
Interested in the 80/20 principle and want to use it better? Here is our summary of The 80/20 Principle.
Pick up the three most important tasks
Even if you are fatigued at the end of the day, find time to organize your tomorrow. As it has already been mentioned, you should identify crucial tasks that you can add to your daily planner. The authors of Organize Tomorrow Today offer to create a list of the Top Three Most Important tasks.
Rule number 1 — don’t list large tasks as one. Break these tasks into more manageable pieces. Rule number 2 — as soon as you decide on the Top Three Most Important tasks, identify one that must be done and allocate enough time to complete it. The third rule goes: keep your tasks visible and accessible. In simple words, write them down on paper, add them to your calendar, or use one of the special apps for planning. For more practical tips, check out our summary of Organize Tomorrow Today .
Block off time for specific tasks
Well, you have a list of tasks you have to do tomorrow, but we all know that having a plan means nothing unless you can actually realize it. Besides writing the tasks, try also deciding on pre-set time slots for them.
One method presented in the book called Eat That Frog might be handy here. Use the principle of Creating Large Chunks of Time. Block off specific time slots for the most critical tasks, possibly during peak productivity hours. For all this preparation not to go in vain, eliminate any distractions, whether phone notifications or work emails.
And here is a small tip from Brian Tracy, Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International: focus on one task at a time and complete it before moving on to the next. Find more in our summary of Eat That Frog.
Be prepared for troubles
Nothing ever goes according to plan. The sooner you realize it, the faster you can find ways to deal with both ups and downs during your day. Greg McKeown, the author of Essentialism, advises allocating extra time for the unexpected.
Imagine driving a car. To be on the safe side, you need to keep your distance while driving behind another car. In case it skids in the snow or a driver in that car slams the brakes, there is some space between you, which can help avoid an accident. Do the same “buffer” zones for all your tasks. It will reduce stress if a problem pops up and allow you to overcome obstacles calmly.
If you’re inspired to become an essentialist, definitely read our key insights from the book Essentialism.
Embrace new daily rituals
Time management isn’t just about planning but also about consistency. When checking your inbox at a certain time becomes your habit, you start spending less time on planning or switching between tasks. Effective daily rituals can boost your productivity.
At first, you might think that a new ritual just disrupts your flow, but hold on a bit more. If you are a visual type of person, try imagining how this ritual could improve your life in the long run. You can also ask yourself some questions, for example, “How will I feel when I successfully go through this path, being faithful to my new habit?” or “How will I feel if I lose this battle and succumb to weakness?”
Take it from Jason Selk, one of the authors of Organize Tomorrow Today: “Greatness is predicated on consistently doing things others can’t or won’t do. Simply put, success is not about being brilliant. It is about being consistent.”
Your day is in your hands. Plan it. Fill it with meaningful tasks, not trivial ones. Start that one important thing — and actually finish it. Build in some “buffers,” and keep your cool no matter what happens. Stay consistent, and you’ll start noticing positive changes.
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