
On Sundays, I schedule a block of time to complete my planning for the entire week ahead. I make audacious plans and try to stuff 20 pounds of potatoes in a five-pound sack. Sleeping is overrated, bathroom breaks are an inconvenience, and eating is optional. Aren’t they? Every project on my list should only take a couple of minutes. Right? Oh, how very wrong. I know the trap of this misconception going into my planning session. I expect projects will require extra, unforeseen work, and I allow for my over-optimistic projections.
My first task is scheduling the non-negotiables. The dreaded 9-5 work hours, meetings, solid, unmovable deadlines, and self-imposed promises sort into this category. On days heavy with meetings and lots of interruptions, I put on my manager’s hat. I try to load these days with meetings, errands, check-in phone calls, and other short-burst administrative-type activities. If I must work in hourly task-changing mode, I pile it on and get as many of those annoying requirements handled as possible.
Where I have large blocks of uninterrupted time is when I put on my creator’s hat. These days I schedule tasks that demand deep concentration, require attention to detail, and kicking my critical mind to the curb, so I can allow my creative side to take over. Knowing I can focus and ignore the clock frees me and lets me find my project’s flow state.
Since I began scheduling my weeks, my productivity has soared, and the number of tasks I complete during the week has left me speechless. The main factor in effecting the changes lies in taking control. Grouping like tasks together and creating uninterrupted chunks of hours for time-intensive activities has made an enormous difference.
Do you schedule your week’s activities?
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
I sometimes schedule activities but often cannot find the paper I scheduled them on. If I do find it, I often do not complete the activities. If I were more organized, I doubt it would make that much difference for me. Long ago I learned that I could not schedule talent!
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I have both a weekly and a daily planner. I’m afraid my life crumbles into complete chaos without them. Often I am lucky if my “talent” manifests in 5 or 10 minute interludes. 💕
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Never waste those interludes!
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I do my best. 👍
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I would love to schedule my week, but I am at the mercy of so many factors, it has become impossible. The most I can do is to somehow make sure I do all the important things and at least one major chore every day… So far, this works for me!
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Bravo, 👏👏👏 You have a system that works for you, for now. I spent years, where my focus was dictated by the needs of others. We do what we can with what we have. 💕💗💕
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Thank you for sharing. 💕🌸💕
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for sharing. 💕📚💕
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Always a joy and pleasure to read and share your posts with followers, My Dear! Hope you have a great day!! xoxox 😘💕🎁🌹
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I do schedule out my weeks! It helps me to stay on track!
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There is truth there. I would be lost without my schedule. 📅⏱
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I hear year, so would I 😱😘
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