. Start a “time journal”. By recording how your time is spent throughout the day, you’ll be able to plainly see where your time is best spent and where your time is wasted. Pay special attention to jot down who and what seems to intrude on your time.
. Assign time for activities that are critical to your success and happiness. Think about it: When you have an appointment in your calendar you are very unlikely to break or miss that appointment. So, schedule appointments with yourself and create time blocks for high-priority tasks and events. Make sure you are specific in regard to when these “appointments” will begin and end.
. Plan for interruptions. You will simply feel defeated if you think you will be able to get through your day exactly as you planned. So, give yourself some “breathing room” by setting time aside for interruptions or unplanned tasks. Thirty to 60 minutes a day is usually a good range.
. Don’t start your day without your time plan. It’s extremely easy to jump right into your day in an effort not to get behind. However, spending just 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of your day to set your schedule is critical to successful time maximization. The most important time of your day is the time you schedule to schedule time.
. Decide what a successful day looks like to you. After your schedule is set, set some goals that will help you measure what success looks like. What must you achieve to feel happy? What can you start on and leave for the next day?
Lastly, always keep in mind that it’s near impossible to get everything done in one day. That being said, you can certainly spend your time more wisely and efficiently. The five-step plan detailed above should help exponentially.
“The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time.”
—Abraham Lincoln