Failing at scheduling your time???♀?

Staying on-task and getting things done on-time. We all struggle with these things sometimes. It may seem that no matter how many bullet journals or fancy planners we buy—many of us can’t quite manage to stick to our schedule and crush our to-do list. 

Want to banish procrastination and distraction? There’s no cure-all, but here are some tips that can help you stick to your schedule and get things done:

1. Schedule in both work and playtime 

A lot of us make the mistake of only jotting down work-related tasks in our planners. This means that when a friend calls, or we make last-minute social plans, our other tasks get thrown off. Yet, balance means making time for everything in our lives—social activities, exercise, creative time, and work. Pencil in time for each so you have an accurate idea of what needs to be done and how much time you have to do it.

2. Set reasonable deadlines 

If you’re anything like me, you sometimes give yourself an unrealistic amount of time to get a lot of things done. This can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation. Instead, consider how much you can reasonably get done in a day, and make your schedule accordingly. What’s more, be kind to yourself on days when you don’t quite hit the marks you had wanted to.

3. When you’re working, stay focused

Easier said than done, right? If you want to stick to your schedule and get things done you have to, well …  stay focused so you can start checking things off your to-do list. Create a distraction-free environment by working in a quiet place and leaving your cell phone in another room. If you’re scheduling in time to play right alongside time to get other things done, staying focused on the task at hand shouldn’t be too taxing.

4. Leave cushion time between tasks

Life never goes as planned. Some tasks take longer than we expect, and other times, life happens. A sure-fire way to stay on schedule even when life happens is to leave at least a few minutes of blank space in between everything in your schedule. That way, you are more likely to fit it all in with fewer snags along the way. 

5. A glance at the day ahead 

Don’t be taken by surprise by an afternoon task that requires your total concentration or a meeting you aren’t prepared for! Give your schedule regular glances so you know what’s coming up and you can ration out your energy and attention accordingly. This way you stay prepared, motivated, and psyched up to get things done. 

Remember that getting work done is about your state of mind, and it’s just as important to be gentle with yourself and realistic about what you can do in a day. Don’t forget to make time to relax! PEN in all the time you need to take care of yourself. 

#KPC #thrive #timemanagement