I can’t believe the first month of 2023 is basically over! In my last blog post, I shared my new found love – the Happy Planner. I discussed a little bit about why I switched from my bullet journal to this one but today, I want to go over the process I use to help keep me organized!
Before I break up my strategies, I want to emphasize that it is very hard to remember to do all the things and to be very efficient with our time without planning for it. Even if you think you are not a planner or that time management is not for you, I highly recommend trying to become that person. After all, remember you can just decide to be someone who does time management and then be exactly that.
I was spending a lot of time I didn’t have creating templates on my bullet journal, making it pretty, and then also doing a completely separate hourly daily planner to get all my to do’s scheduled in a timely manner. I also was not scheduling my weekends at all. I decided to cut out all the extra processes and found the planner that can house all my needs (hence my last post).
Now that I have the right tool that I need, let me discuss my weekly process:
- Make a big to do list once a week. I like to do this Sunday nights, although I am experimenting with the timing (may try to do this earlier). I do this on a piece of paper or note app on my phone. I try to write everything that is in my brain that I need to do in the upcoming week or that I want to get done in general. I also look in my outlook for any meetings that are scheduled. I try to empty my brain of all to do’s.
- Write the basic template of my week. This includes my wake up time, clinic time, meetings, etc. When I have chunks of time that are not already assigned to things, I break them up into tasks. For example, if I have nothing scheduled from 3-5 pm, I may write “prep clinic notes, read rough draft of article, check email.” I also schedule free time, work-outs, dinner time, and bed time.
- Be realistic with your time. This is a big problem for me. I tend to try and fit as many things as possible and even overbook my free time at night. I work hard to be kind to myself, make realistic goals as far as when I want things done (and stick to them), and also started scheduling less things during my free time and more relaxation (i.e doing nothing!).
- I like to either cross things off the first to-do list I made or delete them from my note as things get scheduled. Look through your list and your weekly schedule to make sure you got everything in you need to or want to do. I keep my running note app for anything that needs to be scheduled later that is not a meeting or appointment in my phone already for future weeks. Purge anything that does not need to be done or that you would like to do!
- Repeat this process once a week. It may seem tedious and hard at first but once you get used to doing it, it doesn’t take a long and it is a wonderful way to free your brain. I love waking up knowing exactly what I am supposed to be doing and don’t need to worry about figuring it out when trying to get ready for work or do stuff with the kids.
Pro tips: leave holes or extra time in your schedule for when life happens, keep a note open in your phone to write anything down that needs to be done later, and be kind to yourself! Also, adjust this process as needed – it should work for you.
Remember that life happens! This is a way to get the most out of your time but not “the law”. With that said, if you are constantly ignoring deadlines, not honoring your commitments, and spending your time on social media, then this method will not work.
I hope this helps get your time organized. Feel free to reach out with any questions and suggestions are always welcome!