As the busy beavers we are, it can feel overwhelming to know where on our to-do lists to begin each day. Luckily for us, though, it doesn’t have to be *so* overwhelming. We can plan ahead for optimum results—productivity that gives us a true sense of accomplishment. Without further ado, let’s get into tips that will take your planning to the next level!
1- Create a to-do list for each day AND an ongoing to-do list.
You can create a day’s to-do list the night before to plan ahead. On this list, you can include things that must get done that day, as well as things you’d like to get done that day. You can put them in priority order or color code them based on priority.
As for the ongoing to-do list, this will include things that either don’t have a real deadline, or the deadline is a ways away. If you complete all of your must-do tasks of the day, you can move onto your would-like-to-do tasks of the day. If you then complete your would-like-to-do tasks of the day, you can move onto tasks on your ongoing to-do list.
With this system in place, you don’t have to feel scatterbrained about what to do next!
2- Create a time-blocked schedule for the day.
Again, this is something you can do the night before, with the knowledge you have of how the day will look. If you have to tweak it the day of, no worries! I’ve recommended time-blocking on several posts before, as I find it to be incredibly efficient. When you know that you’ve designated a set amount of time for a task, you’re more likely to zone in on it with focus. This should help you get it done more effectively and efficiently. If your time blocks are long enough, you may even finish ahead of schedule. What a pleasant surprise to have extra time to spend however you please!
3- Be realistic about how much is too much.
When making your to-do list for the day, try not to make it a mile long! Also, when blocking your time, it’s usually best to account for more time than you expect to need; not less (unless you happen to thrive under pressure). Life happens—we get distracted, new tasks unexpectedly pop up, urgencies arise, etc. It’s better to have some time left over than run yourself ragged and not accomplish what you need to.
4- Try to anticipate what type of day it will be when creating that day’s to-do list.
In other words, if you know you’re going to be swamped at work that day, try not to pile on with several-hours’-worth of other tasks. Alternatively, if you sense you’ll have a lot of free time and energy that day, go all in with the things you’ve been wanting or needing to do! Knowing what’s in store for you and planning accordingly is a great way to set your day up for success!
5- Remain flexible about what success for the day can look like.
Again, you may need to tweak your to-do list or schedule as life happens. Your day may not go according to plan, but it can still be a success in a different way. For instance, if you planned to spend the day organizing, but your friend who you haven’t seen in months reaches out to make a spontaneous plan with you, there’s nothing wrong with shifting gears! As long as the tasks you planned on doing aren’t must-do tasks for that day, they can wait until later. Sometimes the best things in life are those you didn’t plan—and they still make the day successful!
The bottom line…
While no one can plan all parts of their day to a T, these are some ways you can step into the power that you do have. Take advantage of your ability to set yourself up for a great day whenever possible!
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