Now that you have your lists of tasks separated into A, B & C, as we said in the last post, make a daily sheet and start to organize your tasks. Using your lists, choose items from each list in order of importance. On top of the list should be the things you must do that day, from the A list, for example, tasks you should do, possibly from the B list, and those you would just like to do.
On the left side of the page, write the item you want to work on, and on the right side, write the “stepping stones” to completion of the task. For instance, if you’re going to write an ebook some of the steps would be: 1.Decide on a niche. 2. Research. 3. Decide on a title and ecover design. 4. Begin writing, etc., or whatever steps you want to take.
Assign an approximate time limit to each task, according to how long you think it will take you–(you’ll get better at it as you do a few lists)–and try to stick to the time allotted. Set a timer, if you need to, to keep you on track. Setting a time limit will keep you from getting ”bogged down” with any particular item. For instance, maybe you would give checking and sending email one hour. When the timer signals, or hour glass runs out, it’s time to quit, and move on to the next task. You’ll find that at the end of the day, you have accomplished much more than you did without the planner and the time limits. It prevents moving from item to item in a haphazard way thoughout your day, and never finishing anything. It also minimizes distractions, and will go very far to keeping you focused on the task at hand. Work in 60 minutes blocks of time, get up, stretch your legs, maybe exercise a little, etc. It will prevent you from getting too fatigued, and you’ll produce more in the long run. Stay hydrated–drink water throughout your work day. Dehydration kind of creeps up on you, and causes fatigue.
Depending on how far ahead you want to plan, set up a twelve-month planner. You can find free planners on the internet, or just take a plain sheet of paper and rule off 12 squares, one for each month. Fill in whatever you need or want to do in each month, so you can look at your “year at a glance” and know exactly what’s coming up. You can include personal items, of course, such as upcoming weddings or vacations, as well as business seminars you plan to attend, a course you’re going to start, or when it’s time to renew your domain names, etc. It’s your calendar–write what’s important to you and what you want and need to look forward to.
An important part of your planning, and something our coach Alex Jeffreys teaches, is to Plan Tomorrow Today. Don’t go to bed at night without knowing exactly what you will start with the next day, and what you need to accomplish each and every hour. In all of this planning, remember to schedule some “time off” or “down time” for yourself. Plan a day to just enjoy something you love doing, and don’t let anything (like work!) interfere. You need this time to recharge and reset and clear your mind. Especially if you work at home alone, you need to get out and do something for, or with, other people, or at least have some fun, feel good hours for yourself, outside your home office, and get away from the computer for awhile.
Happy planning, and my best to you, as you accomplish all you set out to do.
