Radical: RHYTHM
Where are my planners? This week's blog post was written for you! You'll find a few tips and tricks for setting yourself up for success to achieve your most ambitious goals.
Simplify to Amplify
Have you noticed that there seems to be an explosion of options lately when it comes to daily planning and goal tracking?
This year I’m working on being nimble (it’s one of my intention words for 2021). More to the point and less bogged down in bottomless to-do lists and overwhelmingly tight timelines.
That starts with good planning and clearly defined goals. Significantly, I’ve separated the vital objectives from the non-essential tasks - you the know ones; they seem to chew a hole through your day like a moth in your sweater drawer.
There are a dizzying array of methods, planners, journals, software, and apps on the market. I spent much of January researching and developing a process that fits my style of working.
I’ve boiled it down to implementing a few strategies that I follow consistently and finding a rhythm for the way I work best. I appreciate the ability to pivot with spontaneity based on my creative energy instead of being locked into a rigid timeline. This method allows me to dial in my day to be productive and accountable, no matter how I track it.
Daily planners and tracking apps are just the window dressing for our habits and organizational skills.
Some questions to ask yourself as you think about your day-to-day patterns, calendar-keeping, and list-making are:
Am I making my most important decisions and working on priorities when I’m at my best? The timing of this is different for each of us. I know daily planner advocates encourage first thing in the morning, but the reality is that we all function best at varying peaks throughout the day. Start to take notice of the window of time when your energy level and focus are at their prime. Hint: it may be in the evening.
Are you clear on your big goals, and, importantly, have you set a reasonable timeline? If you have several ambitious projects, it may be best to consider breaking them apart into quarterly or semi-annual blocks in your calendar. By doing so, it ensures that you can focus on one priority at a time. Also, write down how many minutes or hours you’ll allot each day to pursue that goal. Start with three forty-minute blocks of time dedicated to your top three priorities.
Do you carry over specific items from your to-do list each day? Is there a reason you’re avoiding them? Assess the list and be honest with yourself about why they don’t get done. If they’re not essential, remove them. If they’re tasks you want to tackle much later, put them on a prospect list that is separate from your daily planner. Having a bit more white space on your calendar or planner will signal to your subconscious that you have a bit of “breathing room” to accomplish things without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. You’ll be surprised at how many items on your prospect list simply become unimportant when you revisit them in 3 or 6 months.
Do you consider yourself a multitasker? Our brains work most efficiently when we’re not working on two or more things simultaneously. Science has proven that switching between tasks actually slows you down. Additionally, multitaskers have more stress because of fractured thinking; they experience reduced memory function and a lack of focus. Try giving your days of the week themes (e.g., Marketing Monday, Research and Development Tuesday, Writing Wednesday, etc).
Do you have a balanced work/wellness plan? The reality is, we all need physical and mental breaks throughout the day to perform at our peak. If you try to power through an 8-hour day without breaks, your body and mind will suffer in the long run. Exercise, sleep, water, nourishing food, mindfulness exercises, and social connection are all important. Find a way to integrate 5-10 minutes of wellness at the top of each hour worked. You’ll find that you feel refreshed and renewed.
By implementing these strategies, you’ll better protect your time and energy so that you can accomplish the most meaningful work each day.