Why Is Setting a Schedule So Difficult?
6 ways to improve your daily productivity
This past week my wife and I had to sit down to create ourselves a schedule. With our kids now at the ages where they’re in activities in the evenings in addition to being in school, we had to layout a schedule. We were becoming overwhelmed and not knowing what direction we were headed.
To and from school, homework, basketball, swimming etc. You know how it all goes. The days only go by faster. We needed to take a step back and zoom out. Take a look at things from an overall view. What a help and relief this was.
Setting a scheduled always seems overwhelming. It’s something most people just don’t want to do. Many want to just be masters of procrastination. The motivation and desire has to come from you. Nobody else is going to make a schedule for you. Take it upon yourself and if you have priorities and things you want or need to get done, get them on your schedule.
When stress and anxiety seem to rise, it’s often related to the feeling of being overwhelmed. Those feelings are fueled by something either at work or in your personal life. I’ve found two ways to reduce that stress and anxiety. One is by working out and the other is by setting a schedule.
Working out is a great outlet, but it normally doesn’t solve the underlying problem. Scheduling a gameplan to attack the problem, is how it’s eliminated. Here are some ideas on improving your scheduling and in turn your overall daily productivity.
Layout your schedule for the week on Sunday evenings. I’ve found that Sundays are the perfect day to setup your week. I schedule the workouts that I’ll be doing. If we have any family activities we review them and make sure the times are correct. I try to align my business meetings to best fit my upcoming schedule. Making sure I give proper space between things so I can allow time to think, review notes and take any actions if needed before I’m onto my next thing.
Be realistic in how long things will take. Don’t over schedule. Otherwise you’ll start to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Your view on schedules will then turn negative and you’ll stop setting them. Maintain a proper focus.
Are you struggling to fit things into your schedule? Not finding the time to focus on what you want? Then you really need to adjust your list of priorities and find the time. You already know how many hours there are in a day, week and month. That’s not ever changing regardless how much everyone wishes it. So do better in your prioritizing and organizing. I wrote the following post a few months ago about how we need to make time for what’s important. Quit letting time be an excuse.
One calendar and one schedule. Have one calendar where both your personal and business scheduled items show. Having this all together forces you to be spending equal time for both your work and personal life. Allow others the ability to see your calendar. This may go for your spouse, kids, assistants and teammates. If things are private, mark the items as private and they will only show as busy to the others. This still allows for privacy when it’s needed.
Make a workout, reading and meditating routine mandatory and get it on your calendar. After reading and studying Tim Ferriss’s two books, Tools of Titans: The Tactics, Routines, and Habits of Billionaires, Icons and World-Class Performers and Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World. I’ve noticed three common traits from the over 300 people he interviewed. Reading, working out and meditating are not optional. They are to be done daily.
Reading has always been an important part of my day. I start everyday reading the Wall St Journal, New York Times and Barrons. Then at lunch and before bed I’m usually reading a book.
The working out part also comes easy for me. I’ve always gotten up every morning between 5 and 5:30 to workout. I currently do a mix of everything. I do weight training, yoga, cycling, outdoor runs and meditating all through Peloton. I just love having that personal trainer/instructor engagement for all of these. But sometimes I will just take the dog and go for a walk. Regardless what activity it is, I do it every morning. It jump starts my day and gets the endorphins flowing. This has resulted in me being in the best shape in my life.
This is also the best I’ve ever felt mentally. I will attribute this to my practice of meditation. After reading how many successful people meditate, I decided to try it. It isn’t easy at first. But wow, what a change it has made. Now after every workout, I conclude with a 5 or 10 minute meditation. That’s my time limit. Many meditate for 30 minute to an hour. I’m not sure I will ever get to that point. But the 5 to 10 minutes has created a huge difference in my daily mental outlook and ability to think clearly.
If first thing in the morning doesn’t work to have some type of physical activity, figure out another time that works for you and make that time consistent as many days a week as you can. Once it’s scheduled and you consistently do it, it eventually becomes an established routine for yourself. It’s the best habit that you can have.
Don’t plan every little thing. Give yourself a block of time to get the important things done. Do not schedule another item right away after. Allow time to relax and retool your mind. Go to lunch, get a coffee or talk with coworkers or friends. Setting a schedule for important things is not to micromanage yourself and your time. It’s to allow yourself the time to focus on getting the important things done.
You won’t get everything done on your schedule every day. That’s normal. You may not allow enough time or get everything done you had planned. Don’t panic. Reschedule it on your calendar. Now you have a better idea of how long it will take so you can plan accordingly. Keep after completing that task and you’ll complete it. Always be making adjustments for yourself.
Eliminate distractions. When you are working on something what is public enemy number one? Distractions! And they come up all the time. One way to avoid distractions is to first find a quiet place. If it’s your office, close the door. If it’s a certain coffee shop, go there. Find that quiet place.
Then let others know that you are unavailable for this certain time. Turn off your socials, television, emails and any notifications. Put your phone on airplane mode and put in your office drawer, in your bag or behind your laptop so you don’t see it. Out of sight out of mind. This is your time to focus, so focus on that one task and nothing else.
Design your day, by scheduling your day, everyday. You’re in control. If you don’t design your day, nobody else will. Who is controlling your day? You? Or your day? Everyday is a new blank canvas.
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Good read