What are your strengths when it comes to planning, prioritising tasks, goal setting, and scheduling?
I was chatting to a client in Canada yesterday who had been ill for a couple of weeks and wanted ideas on how to continue to get things done in her business as a Sole Trader when it wasn’t possible to be there.
For those of you who follow my blogs, you will know I take a fair chunk of time out of my business each year traveling.
A great question for me to answer.
How do I set plans in place and schedule work?
This was one of the major questions I had to answer that went towards my winning the Logan Business Distinction Award this year.
For me, it is all about planning and scheduling, so you aren’t pushed to do things at the last moment.
Point in case, I have planned 2024 already and know what days I am running workshops, when the brand building programs are running, and importantly when I have scheduled many 5-day weekends, two caravaning holidays, and a trip to Sri Lanka.
I know. 😏
What I have learned over many years of doing exactly this is I will take the holidays and long weekends.
It also means because I have planned…I can be spontaneous as I know the work is done.
For the client…I suggested starting with three months of schedule to start.
What do you do to Plan and Schedule?
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot”
Michael Altshuler
My list of priorities to plan and schedule…
- Prioritize with the Eisenhower Matrix
- Identify Urgent and Important Tasks: Sort tasks based on their urgency and importance using the Eisenhower Matrix.
- Schedule High-Priority Tasks First: Allocate time for tasks that fall under the “Urgent & Important” category. Ensure they get your immediate attention and are scheduled accordingly.
- Block out time
- Allocate Dedicated Time Slots: Set aside specific blocks of time on your calendar for focused work on particular tasks or projects.
- Avoid Multitasking: Focus solely on the task allocated for each block of time, minimizing distractions and interruptions to enhance productivity.
- Chunk activities
- Group Similar Tasks Together: Combine related activities or tasks within the same time block. For instance, handle email correspondence during a specific chunk of time rather than sporadically throughout the day.
- Maintain Focus: Concentrate on completing tasks within each chunked activity, optimizing efficiency and minimizing mental context-switching.
- Set CREATE goals and write them down
- Clarify Goals: Establish CLEAR (Concise, Realistic, Ecological, As Now, Timed, Evidence) goals that align with your vision.
- Document Goals: Write down these goals along with actionable steps required to achieve them.
- Schedule Goal-Related Tasks: Allocate time in your calendar for tasks that contribute directly to achieving these set goals. Build a 90-Day plan.
- Regularly review and adjust
- Weekly or Monthly Reviews: Set aside dedicated time regularly to review progress and assess the effectiveness of your time management strategies.
- Adaptation and Improvement: Reflect on what worked well and what needs adjustment. Modify your schedule, planning techniques, or goals based on the review to enhance productivity and goal attainment.
- And importantly…add your holidays to your calendar first. (If you don’t, I guarantee you won’t make the time)
By incorporating these tips into their daily routine, you can take charge of your schedules, prioritize effectively, and achieve your goals more efficiently.
And that is just the start of putting the plans in place to create the life you design.
To help you achieve this, join us at the upcoming 1/2-Day workshop on January 12, 2024.
You will set your 2024 goals, write your Mission and Vision Statements, and complete a 1-Page Business Plan.
While you are here check out Janeen’s books.
