#15. Plan Your Week in 15 Minutes or Less
In today’s blog post, I’m sharing a three-step process to help you plan your week in under 15 minutes. Whether you have lofty yearly, quarterly, and monthly goals or you're just looking for a way to get out of overwhelm and into action, this method will simplify your planning and boost your productivity.
Step 1: Start with Non-Negotiables
Before jumping into your weekly planning, it's crucial to account for your non-negotiable commitments. These are your fixed appointments, work commitments, and any time-sensitive obligations. By plugging them into your calendar first, you'll gain a clear understanding of your available time for the week. Whether you prefer a digital or physical planner, this step ensures you're working within your realistic time constraints.
Step 2: Brain Dump Your Tasks
Take five minutes and jot down all the tasks and goals you want/need to accomplish during the week. (Sidenote: I have a great way to do this using my signature Time Buckets System. Join the SLP Support Group on Facebook to learn more!) Don’t worry about how long the tasks will take, if you have enough time to get it done this week, etc. Just write down anything that pops in your head and don’t filter yourself. (That’s for Step 3!)
Step 3: Prioritize and Allocate
After that brain dump, it's time to edit your list and narrow your focus. In other words, prioritize. Sometimes this is the hardest part. Here are a few tips to help. Start by identifying the “Must-Do” tasks with looming deadlines—these are your top priorities. Highlight or categorize them as urgent. Then, look at the remaining tasks and separate them into “Now” and “Later.” You might consider the following questions to help you decide:
When is this due?
Will this move the needle?
What are the consequences of pushing this off to another week
Now that you’ve got your list prioritized, here comes the fun part—plugging these tasks into specific days. Consider your energy levels, daily routines, and the due dates of your tasks. Assign tasks to days strategically to ensure you make the most of your time. For instance, tackle high-energy, demanding tasks on days when you're feeling most alert, and save routine or low-energy tasks for other days. Don’t worry about getting it “right.” Take your best guess and move on—you can always modify throughout the week if needed.
If you're eager to set and achieve significant goals but need support, mark your calendar for our one-day planning event on Friday, October 27th, 2023. Stay tuned for ticket details and join us for a day of efficient planning and goal setting.
And if you're interested in taking your time management to the next level, reach out for a consult to learn how I can help.