How To

1. Identify the work that has to be completed by the end of the day. What, if you fail to accomplish, will get you fired/stressed/full of anxiety/arrested/etc.?
2. Identify at least three things you want to do in addition to the must-do items.
3. Identify any routines that should take place to keep you on track. Is today a laundry day? Is it your night to make dinner?
4. Estimate length of time to complete all of your must do, want to do, and routine projects.
5. Write out a plan for your day, where you stagger easy and difficult tasks and schedule the hardest task when you’re the most alert.
6. Get working.

Example

• 6:10 a.m. Wake up, drink coffee, eat breakfast, enjoy the silence.
• 6:30 a.m. Get ready, shower.
• 7:00 a.m. Go to work.
• 8:00 a.m. Check in with staff/boss.
• 8:15 a.m. Plan day, check e-mail, read RSS feeds.
• 8:30 a.m. Work on difficult projects.
• 11:30 a.m. Have lunch.
• 12:30 p.m. Check e-mail.
• 1:00 p.m. Work on easy projects.
• 2:30 p.m. Zone out unintentionally, drink coffee.
• 3:00 p.m. Work on difficult projects.
• 5:00 p.m. Check e-mail.
• 5:15 p.m. End of day check-in with staff/boss, file, put materials away, set up desk for next day.
• 5:30 p.m. Go home.
• 6:30 p.m. Fix dinner, eat dinner.
• 7:30 p.m. Daily chores.
• 8:00 p.m. Help children with homework.
• 9:00 p.m. Relax, spend time with spouse, be social, read, watch tv, meet a friend for a drink, call mom, work out at gym, and/or do something fun.
• 11:00 p.m. Bed.