Making a schedule is easy. Sticking to it is what often doesn't stick. Things come up, distractions derail you, and there's always that pesky procrastination that can turn a well-meaning planned out day into a free for all.
Creating and sticking to a schedule can not only make you feel less stressed, but you'll have the capacity to get more done with your precious time. As per The Order Expert, "Keeping to your schedule is all about maintaining balance." Be mindful of what you have to do and what you want to do, and do your best to include all you can in your schedule with realistic expectations.
There is only so much time in the day, so space out your to-dos with a little wiggle room, and don't try to cram everything in to one day. Just because there are many tasks on your schedule doesn't mean you'll be able to complete them successfully if you overload yourself. Once you "maintain balance," you'll get better and better at planning and sticking to your schedule. Here are some tips to help you abide by your schedule and get all your tasks and goals accomplished by bedtime.
1. Schedule Everything in One Place
You will have the best luck sticking to your schedule if you actually know what's on it. If you post a reminder in your smartphone, jot a meeting time onto your wall calendar, and leave a sticky note on the side of your computer, you'll have a hard time knowing what's what and when to do it.
As per Entrepreneur, "Not only will it save time to only have to check one calendar but it will also help ensure that you are not double booking or missing any meetings." And be sure you include both work-related and personal business in the same place, to be sure your professional plans jive with what you've got going on during your free time.
It doesn't matter if you prefer an old fashioned Rolodex, to store your plans in the cloud, or you like using apps. Just find one secure scheduling spot and stick with it.
2. Think Outside the 9 to 5
If you find yourself overbooked during the work day, don't limit your scheduling hours to the "conventional" ones. If you're an early bird, for example, plan some of your activities as soon as you wake up. If you are already up and at 'em, you'll be the type to see what's planned and get right on it.
Of course you won't be able to plan meetings with co-workers during these off-hours, but this extra time is ideal for working on a personal project, fitting in exercise, or studying for your Master's. You will free up more of the workday hours for your meetings, emailing, and other job-related functions.
You'll get a lot more done with your day, and you'll look forward to following your schedule again in order to keep the momentum going in the future.
3. Review the Night Before
Just like you did back in school to prep for an exam, review your schedule the night before to get your head in the game before the bustle of the next day begins. As The Order Expert notes, "This is a great way to gently introduce your schedule into your subconscious. When you review your schedule again in the morning, your appointments will seem very familiar and manageable."
Reviewing beforehand will also allow you to work out the kinks and decide if what you've got scheduled is a realistic workload and if each task is slotted in for the best time for what you need to do in order to complete it.
4. Learn to Say "No"
A major reason lots of people cannot stick to their schedule is because they fall victim to interrupters and interruptions that cause them to break from their plans. Sometimes there's simply no way around it, but in other cases, people just don't want to say "no."
If you don't feel like your attendance in a meeting is beneficial, opt out. You don't have to answer every email as it pops into your inbox. You don't have to break for an hour lunch with co-workers if you'd prefer to eat quickly at your desk. You don't have to go for drinks with friends after work if it will cut into a pre-planned activity. All the little interferences and disturbances add up and you won't get the time back. It's OK to say no if you feel it's appropriate and won't compromise your job or your personal life.
Just remember, if you do get pulled away from your schedule, don't give up if things fall off track. Get to your next assignment or finish off the job you were doing. Reorganize a bit and you will make it through. And with a schedule laid out in an organized fashion, you will be able to assess what's most important in order to revise wisely.
Are you scheduling and need to find a way to get more done with your time? Check PayPath's 7 ways to do more in less time.
