"How to Win Tomorrow Before It Even Starts: The Power of Planning a Day Ahead #TheRemoteWorkPlaybook

I've been working remotely for a little over a year now, and it’s been a roller-coaster ride of a learning experience—especially when it comes to balancing work and family life from home. Honestly, staying focused can be quite the challenge in this environment! (Quick FYI: I have two adorable, very energetic kids who turn remote work into a more challenging adventure. ??)

Throughout the year, I’ve tried just about every productivity hack to make remote work more manageable, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned in this series, "The Remote Work Playbook: Strategies for Work-Life Balance." I’ll be diving into tips and strategies that have helped me tackle the unique challenges of balancing work and family in the remote world.

Right now, I want to focus on the benefits of scheduling tasks just a day ahead. Planning out the whole week has been... let’s say, a bit optimistic on my end. Work priorities change, surprises pop up, and, well—life happens.

So, while I’m not always nailing the weekly plan, scheduling for tomorrow has been a game-changer.

Now, let’s talk about Tomorrow You. You know, that version of you that has every intention of being productive, but… things don’t always go according to plan. Enter the calendar schedule, a simple trick that can help you control your day instead of letting your day control you.

Making a schedule isn’t about packing every single minute with tasks. It’s more like giving your future self a gentle push in the right direction, so you can focus on what actually matters.

Here’s how to set up a calendar schedule for a productive tomorrow:

1. Brain Dump Before You Calendar ?? Before you even open your calendar, jot down everything you need to get done tomorrow. Meetings, deadlines, errands—get it all out of your head and onto paper (or a note app, I personally use Toggl, but as simple as Apple or Google calendar are cool too). Now, pick 3–5 priorities you must accomplish. This keeps you from getting caught up in the noise and helps you plan around the important stuff. (If your work involves some tasks on repeat, you can dive right into your calendar without getting too meticulous about jotting down every detail. Just seeing those key tasks laid out can help you stay organized and reduce the chance of anything slipping through the cracks. You don’t have to be super strict about it, but a little planning goes a long way in keeping things on track!)

2. Block Out Your Non-Negotiables ?? Start with the fixed appointments on your calendar—meetings, lunch breaks, workouts, family time—anything that has a set time. If you've already nailed down when to tackle your top 3–5 priorities, go ahead and block those too. Adding these first helps you avoid over-scheduling and sets up a clear structure for your day. Knowing these essentials are in place gives you room to focus on everything else without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Set a “Power Hour” for Your Most Important Tasks ?? Choose an hour or hours where you’ll dive into your top priority, distraction-free. This is your dedicated power hour (or hours) to knock out the task with the biggest impact on your day or week. Block this time during your peak focus hours and make it non-negotiable. Mornings are often ideal—like for me, it’s usually 4 AM to 6 AM (or from 9 AM to 11 AM if I fail to wake up early ??). Finding your ideal focus window can make all the difference in your productivity!

4. Schedule Short, Focused Work Blocks ?? For other tasks, try breaking them into smaller, 25- or 30-minute chunks with a quick break between each. This approach, based on the Pomodoro Technique, keeps you focused without burning out. Be realistic—leave space for those inevitable interruptions.

5. Add Time Buffers Between Tasks ?? Trying to switch from one task to the next with no break is a fast track to burnout. Give yourself 5-10 minute buffers between tasks to stretch, breathe, or grab a coffee (chocolate drink for non-coffee drinkers like me ??). Not only does this give your brain a mini reset, but it keeps you from running late if one task takes longer than expected. But if you're like me who’s easily distracted, I definitely don’t recommend diving into social media apps like Facebook or YouTube during break times. Trust me, that can really mess up your flow and make it hard to get back on track!

6. Block “Unstructured” Time ?? This one’s a game-changer: leave some time open. Life happens, new tasks pop up, and having some flexible time on your calendar keeps things stress-free. If nothing new comes up, use this time to tie up loose ends or, better yet, relax!

7. End Your Day with a “Wrap-Up” Block ?? Take 15-20 minutes at the end of your workday to review what you accomplished. This is your time to tie up any loose ends and update your calendar for tomorrow. Remember, you need to schedule time to schedule! This wrap-up not only helps you reflect on your progress but also sets you up for a smoother start the next day. Plus, it’s a great way to transition from work mode to family time!

Closing Thoughts

The best part about planning tomorrow is that it reduces decision-making fatigue when you wake up. Instead of spending precious morning energy figuring out what to do, you’re ready to jump right into it. You’ve got the roadmap; all you have to do is follow it.

So every night, take a few minutes, set up tomorrow’s calendar, and give Tomorrow “You” the gift of clarity.

What about you? What are your experiences working from home? What’s in your Remote Work Playbook?

Are there tips or tricks I might have missed? Share your insights in the comments below—I’d love to hear from you!