Eight Easy Steps to a Fool Proof Schedule

Are you having trouble following a schedule? Most people blame themselves when they fail to keep a schedule. Maybe it is not your fault, but the schedule you are trying to keep. Here are eight steps you can take to create a schedule that you can stick with in the long term.

1. Track your Current Time

Take a typical few days (a week is better) and track how you spend your time. Use a simple pad and pencil. Every time you do something write down when you start and stop. At the end of the day review your daily log and notice how your day was spent. Did you feel productive? Why? What happened when you didn't feel productive? What distractions occurred? Tracking how you currently spend your days is an invaluable way of determining why your current schedule is not working for you.

2. What is Important?

Make a list of people and activities that are important to you. After you have your list, review the list and write next to each item why these people or activities are important. If you can't think of a good reason then cross the person or activity off of your list. Keep this list because you will periodically review it and make changes.

3. What is Productive?

Make a list of activities that are most productive. These are activities that contribute directly to your wealth, health, or mental/spiritual well being. Next to each item write down how these activities directly impact you. If a activity doesn't directly benefit you then cross it off the list. Again, keep this list and periodically review it and make changes.

4. Time Blocks

Take your important and productive items list and next to each item write out how much time you would like to spend on each either daily, weekly, or monthly. Group the items on your list into different categories such as, business, personal, family. In addition, especially with the business category, sub-categorize activities. For example: prospecting, business administration, organizing, marketing. Block out realistic time blocks that are anywhere from an hour or two long.

5. Planner, PDA, Calendar

You need a system to keep track of your schedule. It can be as simple as a pad and pencil or you can go high tech and use a PDA. Whatever you use it has to be something that you will keep with you and can easily modify your schedule.

6. Write it Down

Take out the lists you have created with important and productive activities and people. Start plugging these activities into your calendar. You can create a master monthly or weekly schedule. It is not important to be detailed as to what you will be doing. Use your categories and sub-categories to create your schedule. Some activities you will want to do daily, others weekly or monthly.

7. Be Flexible

After you have plugged everything from your list into your calendar, take a step back. Have you made room for emergencies? Have you made room for yourself? Maybe you need to reduce the amount of time you spend on an activity? Can certain activities can be combined? Look at your schedule and see how you feel. Does it make you feel overwhelmed? If yes, then you need to adjust your days until you feel a bit of peace. Your schedule should give you a sense of control.

8. Tweak It.

Review your schedule at the end of each week. What worked? What didn't work? Take some time to tweak your schedule to suit your particular needs.

The best way to keep a schedule is to create one that reflects the people and activities important to you. If you can't keep your current schedule it is because it doesn't meet your needs. Use the above eight steps and create a schedule that you will have no problem following.