How's your 2024 planning coming along? Are you staying on top of daily tasks or feeling a bit overwhelmed? Here are some of my tips to help commit to using and getting the most out of your daily or weekly planner.
Start Each Day with a Review.
I like to take a few minutes at the beginning of each day to look over my planner. It helps to prioritise tasks and set a clear map of tasks for the day. You may also like to do it the night before so you know exactly what the next day looks like and you can get straight into it in the morning.
Prioritise Tasks.
I list the most important tasks for the day and then prioritise them. I also focus on completing these tasks first before moving on to less critical ones.
Be Realistic.
Don’t Overload Your Day. I don’t give myself more than 7 things to do in a day, so try not to overload your schedule. It is better to finish the day feeling accomplished. That might look like one larger tasks and six small ones. Be realistic about what you think you can finish in a day and leave a little room for unexpected things that pop up or delays that happen. It is rare that my day runs according to plan - but better to have a plan to review then wing it.
Block Out Time.
By blocking out time for each task means that I give each activity the right amount of dedicated time. This means not only can I achieve my deadlines but I also don’t over extend myself.
Stay Flexible.
While it's important to stick to your plan, be flexible enough to adapt to changes or unexpected interruptions. Learn to adjust your schedule as needed without feeling overwhelmed. I like to add an extra half an hour to bigger tasks and 15mins for smaller tasks as a buffer. Also the feeling of not needing the extra time and finishing tasks “early” is quite motivating! '
Review and Reflect.
At the end of each day, I take a few minutes to review what I finished and look at what went well and what could be improved. I can then make adjustments to my plans for the next day.
Make It Visible.
My planner lives open on my working space where I can see it. Not only do I get huge satisfaction ticking things off my list but it is also handy for me to add notes or refer to as a reminder of what I carefully planned. This helps me stay focused on my goals.
Celebrate Achievements.
Celebrating your accomplishments, no matter how small is really important. For me that might be some office high fives, breaking for a cup of tea, playing some music and singing loud on the way home or treating myself to some new stationery! Celebrating your wins boosts and motivates you to continue using your planner. After all it is your sidekick, your team mate. Use it to win your days, weeks and months!
I hope these tips help you get the best out of your planner. Staying organised means that you will be more productive and have you achieving all that you want out of your year.
