How to make the most of your time with a calendar

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

The calendar will help you to be aware of the time. Just choose the strategy that suits you.

1. Don't leave a minute of unscheduled time

Calculate everything in minutes. Imagine that the tasks that are not included in the calendar simply do not exist. Record in it work, hobbies, dates, workouts, and in general any business. Mark different areas of life with different colors.

Of course, there are drawbacks to this method. He assumes that:

• you can determine exactly how much time will be spent on each case;
• there are no unforeseen circumstances.

This is unrealistic. But there is a way out. Add time slots to your calendar for unexpected things.

2. Add a 50% time margin to each task

Add the case to the calendar as usual, and then extend the deadline by 50%. Add this margin of time before the task, after it, or divide it into two parts. For example:

• After a half-hour Skype call, add 15 minutes for additional questions.
• For an hour-long meeting - 15 minutes for preparation and discussion.
• By the 45-minute lunch - another 20 minutes to calmly return to the office.

With time to spare, you won't be nervous if you get stuck in a traffic jam or stay late at a meeting.

3. Plan your entertainment

Schedule leisure, entertainment, and meeting friends first, then fill the rest of the time with work. This method is suitable for entrepreneurs, creative people, and those who work remotely. And also for workaholics.

When there is no clear schedule, it is very easy to devote all the time to work. Build a plan for the week based on entertainment. This way you will definitely not miss the opportunity to go to the movies or hang out with friends.

4. Set aside one hour a day for yourself

Entrepreneur and investor Charlie Munger began his career as a lawyer. One day he asked himself, "Who is my most valuable client?" And he decided that it was himself. Every day he began to "sell" to himself an hour of his time. In the mornings, he began to work on his own projects.

Quite a lot can be done in an hour or even half an hour. Don't put it off until the evening. Do the important work for you in the morning. Then during the day you will not be tormented by remorse.

Here are some more ideas:

• Don't hold meetings one day a week. Concentrate fully on other activities. This is important for those who spend most of their working time communicating with people.
• Think in three time categories: today, this week, this year. Identify three things to do every day to achieve three goals in a week. These weekly goals should propel you towards bigger annual goals.