Calendars are so important when it comes to organizing your time, from drawing attention to significant events or important appointments. Without a calendar, you might fail to notice when Rabi al-Awwal is set to fall or how many days it is until Christmas. No matter which calendar you pay the closest attention to, it’s sure to impact the way you live your life greatly. That said, it’s not just about simply writing down what you need to get done in a calendar; it’s about employing the right organization tips to help you manage your time more effectively.
Consider Your Energy Levels
Unfortunately, no two days will ever be the same, meaning you can’t plan things as if they would be. Parenting, sickness, and recent travel are all aspects that can affect how our day is set to go, meaning it’s important to consider these when organising your calendar. Naturally, you’re going to feel more tired on some days than on others, meaning it’s not always helpful to overbook your schedule too far in advance. This way, it becomes a lot easier to allow for more time for rest between the events in your calendar. Similarly, if you’re introverted and are easily burned out by constant events, you might implement a limit on how many you can manage within a set length of time.
Learn How to Say No
The fear of missing out can be very real, which is why it can be so challenging to say no sometimes. Of course, wanting to try out every new or exciting event that comes along is natural; however, putting too much on your plate can result in burnout. What’s more, this burnout can be really tricky to overcome when you find yourself in it. Therefore, learning to say no at times can be incredibly valuable, as it can allow you to remain energized and focused during even the busiest periods. Additionally, steering away from burnout will allow you to use your time in the most productive way possible.
Factor In Unstructured or Unexpected Time
It can be tricky to accept the fact that it’s impossible to plan absolutely every aspect of life; however, it’s something that everyone must come to accept. This is because unexpected eventualities present themselves all the time, including emergencies that require immediate attention. Therefore, you shouldn’t pack out every minute of your day; allow yourself at least 15 minutes between activities to gather yourself and attend to unexpected eventualities if you need to.
Leverage the Time Blocking Method
Time-blocking is a method of blocking out chunks of time that are designed for you to focus on a specific activity. This can be employed in professional and personal settings alike and is ideal for those tasks that you’ve been procrastinating for some time. For instance, you might have some filing at work that you either haven’t had time to get around to or you’ve been avoiding like the plague; you could set aside an hour in the week to dedicate to this. Similarly, you might have a messy closet at home that you’ve been meaning to organize but more important tasks just seem to take precedence; blocking out an hour in the week will help you ensure you get this done.
Plan Out Your Calendar Ahead of Time
Last but not least, you should plan out your calendar ahead of time. Not so far in advance that you won’t know where you’re at, but anywhere from a day to a week in advance. This way, you won’t be rushing in the morning to piece together what you need to do.
