Time Planning
So I recently started doing proper time planning my days, because it seems to work better. Not just because I will be more productive, but I can also plan in moments where I want to do something relaxing or eat some food at set times.
Make A Plan/Schedule
You can do this sort of thing very simple by making a 7-day planning with time blocks of every hour or every two hours starting at the moment you want to wake up until the moment you want to go to bed.
In my case I make a lot of use of Google Calendar, because it is part of my telephone and I can open it on the PC at:
https://calendar.google.com
Blocking Away Time
I can block away whole hours or multiple hours with it and assign colour codes to it. I use different colours for rest moments and yet again different colours for writing posts. Then I have an extra colour for a block of helping WA members/writing tutorials and learning stuff on WA. Also other chores are booked into my planning as well as the occasional appointment with doctors etc.
As you can see, there is currently nothing planned after lunch time. This has often to do with other appointments being there and gives me room to move stuff from the morning to the afternoon. On the other hand I hope to do more writing articles in those blocks, so that I can have content written for multiple websites and for multiple days ahead on a scheduler.
The image above has Tuesday until Saturday displayed. Note that in the weekend I made everything start an hour later, except for lunch and dinner blocks.
Be S.M.A.R.T.
You can use the SMART method in making your goals:
S - Specific,
M - Measurable,
A - Achievable,
R - Realistic,
T - Time-bound.
Specifically distribute every task or duty to a block of time. You will make it measurable by defining exactly what you want to achieve. You can measure for example with numbers. Write 1 Wealthy Affiliate review is specific (wealthy affiliate review) and measurable (1). It is achievable & realistic if you set enough time away for it, such as 3 hours perhaps? Then you make it time-bound by setting those hours off and now it is just about keeping yourself to it.
Problems Getting On Time In Bed?
I also decided that while having problems setting up an absolute bed-time, I just needs to set an alarm (that one wakes from) in the early morning. That way, it forces me to wake up, no matter how late I get into bed the night before. Works like a charm!
- Steven
Recent Comments
16
Schedules always help keeping us accountable. Thanks for the reminder and sharing your system. Easy enough. Debbie
Hi Steven,
I use a much more primitive system, but I think your method and with the help of Google, is much better!
Bill
Oh it works fine on paper too, but for the younger ones I am sure it is easier on their phones then on something old fashioned as a paper agenda. I learned both.
Yeah, that's the biggie here. You can make an awesome looking plan and then not stick to it. It is then best to be realistic about things and change upon it.
Do I really use just two hours for a post? Mmm maybe it is actually 3. Change the it in the calendar to 3 hours and move planning around for the rest of the day.
But not sticking actually to your goal has much to do with distraction and our resistance from doing what we need to achieve.
Good read Steven! However, execution is one thing. But sticking to a task is something else. Like most, I struggle with the later. That's why I'm so thankful for WA. They won't let you fail.
Sticking to the tasks is actually the hardest in it all. This is also due to our resistance building up for doing stuff we have to do to achieve what we want.
That's right. It is hard though to discipline with just a calendar. Apparently we have to remind ourselves of our goals the whole time and have to set alarms to not over-go time scheduling.
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Thank you Steven for sharing your Time Planning System.
Sounds very good to use a Calendar Tool. I'm going to start using one too. Want to work more effective!
:-)
Definitely a great plan to make a planning!