Visualize Your Schedule
Posted by Goody on 04/23/08 in Business
Overworked? Work load to heavy? Always running out of time? Sorry to tell you this…it’s not your workload or your demanding boss! It’s you!
Yes, that’s right… It’s you and your lack of organizational skills and undisciplined daily/weekly routine.
Many people procrastinate about completing their projects. Too tired, too boring, not sure how to begin, not confident in their skills….the reasons are too many to list.
Procrastinating and organizing go hand in hand. Organizing yourself diminishes procrastination. Creating a disciplined work week will give you the time to complete your work load efficiently, accurately, and in a timely manner! You’ll be more productive, less stressed and you’ll find yourself with more free time. And isn’t that always your goal?
For all you unorganized and undisciplined men and women out there…. I have good news for you! There’s hope! By following a few simple steps, and visualizing your intentions, you can create a schedule which will keep you on track each and every day!
First, be realistic. Don’t take on more than you can handle. Now, that doesn’t mean you do just a minimal amount of work. You must always stretch yourself and go above and beyond what is expected of you.
If you already have two projects in the works and you’re asked to assume another task, learn to say “No”. “Sorry, I’d like to help out, but, I’ve got deadlines I need to meet on two other projects. I can, though, tackle your project next week, if it can wait that long”. This way you’re not flat out turning down the request, and you’re offering an alternative, which may or may not be accepted.
Second, schedule your day the night before. Visualize your day. See the things you need to do in your mind. Once you can see all your chores, tasks, and errands have been visualized clearly in your mind write them down! Writing down your tasks solidifies your intentions. Purchase some sort of appointment book which works for your industry and begin to schedule your day. For example, I begin by scheduling the time I intend to get up in the morning. Next, I schedule the days I plan on exercising before my work day begins. For me, that’s Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 6:30 AM.
As a Virtual Assistant, I’d have a pretty erratic schedule if I didn’t schedule time for follow-up phone calls, cold calls, meetings with clients and potential clients and plenty of time to work on client projects. One of the first things that need to be scheduled into your appointment book is your free time. Vacations, weekend getaways and mid-week breaks. You need something to look forward to….all work and no play makes you not only overworked, but, real tired! And when you’re overworked and real tired your work becomes sloppy and unprofessional.
Depending on your line of business, schedule the time you need each day/week for appointments to meet with potential clients. Also, schedule time to make your cold calls, follow-up calls and follow-emails. Unless you schedule the time to increase sales and make more money, it won’t happen. Visualize the time you’ll need to actually work on projects.
Make notes as to what you need to complete your project. If office supplies are needed..schedule that shopping time……better yet, delegate that errand to someone else. You need to take care of the tasks which you do best and delegate your administrative tasks to your assistant, or virtual assistant.
Stick to your schedule. Visualize what it will feel like once your project is complete. Internalize the satisfaction you’ll have when you’ve handed over your work to your boss or client. Get a good feel for the sensation. Once you visualize and write down your schedule and goals you’ll not want to procrastinate and let your day get away from you.
Third, tell someone about your plans. Let someone else in on your goals. Along with written schedules when you verbalize your goals then you’ve made and even stronger commitment to yourself and your schedule. Find some who can hold you accountable. Your accountability partner can make sure you stay focused and on track. Don’t choose a slacker…. But someone who can depended on.
Fourth, schedule time for distractions. Unexpected phone calls, client visits, project setbacks and such. If you want to end your work day at 5:00 pm then schedule you day’s end at 4:00 pm. This gives you some extra time to tie up any loose ends and compensate for those unexpected distractions.
Fifth, delegate, delegate and delegate! Admit that you can’t do it all alone. You’ll get more done in less time. Don’t ever think you have to do it alone.
Good luck with scheduling your time! You can do it… Visualize your intentions.
Eydie Stumpf,
Virtual Assistant,
President and Owner,
Eydie’s Office
http://www.eydiesoffice.com
Eydie is a small business owner in Southern California. She is an active member of the Corona Chamber of Commerce and recent recipient of their Rookie of the Quarter Award. Eydie’s clients range from non-profit organizations to business coaches, and authors.
Tags: calendar, on time, procrastination, prroject management, schedule, time management
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