#14. Three Innovative Ways to Schedule Your Time as a Busy SLP
Ever felt like you're losing control of your time juggling between your role as an SLP and a mom? You're not alone. In podcast-episode-turned-blog-post, I'm sharing three innovative ways to schedule your day to help you make the most of your time. Whether it's using my Time Buckets System, conceptualizing four "mini days," or creating a rinse-and-repeat type of schedule, there are lots of options for even the most overwhelmed speech pathologist.
1. Time Buckets: A Categorization Approach
One powerful method is what I call "Time Buckets." These are like the big categories of your life that occupy a significant portion of your time. Your Time Buckets may differ from mine, but they typically encompass family, self, home, and work. By structuring your day around these buckets, you can maintain focus and switch tasks less frequently.
For example, in my daily schedule:
I reserve early mornings for my "Me Bucket" (self) from 5 to 6 am.
Family time (Family Bucket) takes place in the mornings before school and in the afternoons/evenings when we’re doing homework, sports, dinner, etc.
I allocate my "Home Bucket" in little pockets of time during the day for household tasks.
My main "Work Bucket" spans from around 9 am to 2 pm when the kids are in school.
Finally, I have a bit of "Me Bucket" time at the end of the day.
Your Time Buckets can vary, but the key is to create dedicated blocks for specific aspects of your life. This helps your brain transition between different roles and ensures you address all aspects of your life effectively. Want to learn more about how to use my Time Buckets System to structure your days and level up your time management? Join my free Facebook group for access to this training and many more!
2. Time Quarters: A Flexible Approach
Another approach is structuring your day in quarters. Each day is divided into four chunks (e.g., 6 am to 10 am, 10 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm, and 6 pm to 10 pm). What you do within these quarters can vary day-to-day, providing flexibility. This strategy is excellent if your day often faces unexpected disruptions, as it allows you to mentally recover and refocus.
3. Fixed Day Scheduling: Consistency for Work-Life Balance
If you struggle with work-life balance, consider scheduling specific activities on particular days. For instance, designate Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for building your private practice and Tuesdays and Thursdays for personal or family time. This approach helps compartmentalize your roles and maintain focus.
Alternatively, you can apply this concept to your work tasks. For instance, reserve Monday mornings for billing, Tuesdays for networking, and Wednesdays for content creation. This minimizes decision fatigue and keeps you on track.
Remember, these strategies aren't one-size-fits-all. You may resonate with one more than the others, or you might need to tweak them to fit your unique circumstances.
The Role of Coaching
Coaching can be invaluable in implementing and fine-tuning these strategies. A time management coach helps you gain self-awareness, understand your thought processes, and adapt your scheduling methods. Together, you can experiment, troubleshoot, and find the best approach for your evolving life and career.
So, which scheduling approach appeals to you the most? Whether it's Time Buckets, Time Quarters, or Fixed Day Scheduling, give it a try and share your experiences with our supportive community. If you'd like personalized guidance, don't hesitate to reach out and explore how I can help. Your path to efficient time management starts here!