My Schedule
A reader, Lyn, asked me this question, "I’m wondering if you are a person who has a timed schedule or goes by a list of tasks? If you go by a timed schedule I would love to know how you manage to keep “on time” and maybe a few tips on how you set up your day?"
I started by making a template of my day in the form of a time map: https://www.mysimplerlife.com/?p=960. This is a weekly schedule that has everything from chores to exercise to family time. I wanted to make sure I had enough time in a day to do what I wanted to. Some things went from weekly to bi-weekly. And from twice a week to once a week.
But, I don’t go by the schedule. I tried that and would get so discouraged when I got off track. Sometimes things took longer than on other days. And what if I got a migraine and slept in? The whole day was shot! Finally I thought it was ridiculous to get stressed over a piece of paper. So I moved to my checklists.
I took what was on the time map and made it into checklists. I have a daily routine checklist with a morning routine, daily work tasks, after work and evening routine. It’s in a plastic sheet cover and on a clipboard so I can mark off with a whiteboard pen.
Then I have my lists for work tasks, home tasks, and errands (each on separate lists). I pick the top 3-5 things to do for that day. If I get those done then I can pick more. But, when I have a list with 10-15 things on it, I get disappointed when I don’t finish. Even when the list is not doable.
I also have weekly work tasks, weekly home tasks and a yearly checklist with what to do during March, May, etc. Yearly tasks are usually done on the weekends.
I don’t always get everything on the checklists done. But, when that checklist comes around again I see what wasn’t done and make sure I get it done this time.
So tomorrow after my morning routine I will do my top work task. Then my daily work tasks like email and paperwork. I’ll do my work to do’s from the work task list until lunch. After lunch I will start on the weekly work tasks. Then I’ll continue work to do’s until the kids get home from school/extracurricular activities depending on the day. After a snack with the kids I will do my after work routine which includes the weekly home checklist (and errands once a week). After dinner is the evening routine. My personal tasks like writing letters, calling a friend or trying to get a better deal from the cell phone company are done before dinner or after the evening routine. And I try to have at least one fun thing in the evening. Monday night I plan on making Easter cards with the kids.
Don’t worry about "getting it all done." Keep breathing and taking breaks. And keep people at the top of your to do lists.
Related Posts:
Beth,
I am so glad Lyn asked you this question. I have been slowly integrating my daily hourly schedule into a daily task schedule but was not quite sure how to fit in annual and other more long term tasks. Thank you for explaining how these long term tasks fit in on weekends.
It was necessary, for me, to move to a task schedule rather than daily to do schedule because all to do’s rarely got done. Undone to do’s can get discouraging and can definitely lead to a “mess.”
Thank you Lyn for asking this question.
Beth – thanks for the suggestions about checklists. Would you be willing to share your daily/weekly task checklists?
Hi Beth, I’ve worked to a system similar to yours but I write everything on thick white A3 size card which can be purchased at Staples or somewhere similar. I include the following information– a diary of committments and appointments over the next 4 weeks, an itemised list of what I must do over the coming week,an ongoing list of non urgent things to do,exercise committments and after school activities for son etc etc.The beauty of this format is that everything can be seen .I write out a new sheet on a Saturday or Sunday and it takes about 45 minutes only to complete. The daily to do list is completed at the end of each day for the following day.I write out everything that needs to be done then I number each item in their order of priority.I feel more in control and focussed.The important thing is to cross off each item when completed-a great sense of satisfaction.