Blocking and tackling - no, it’s not football!

​Colleagues,
 
MVP: Block off time in your calendar for important things and capture in your calendar what you do each day.
 
This week I’m reviewing five daily strategies that are helping me right now.
 
Yesterday I shared how I identify my priorities for each day. Part of the reason this works is time blocking.
 
When I identify my priorities, I schedule each of them into my calendar. 

Also scheduled into my calendar are daily activities like my morning routine (more on that Thursday), and weekly tasks like writing the daily email and recording Five for Friday.
 
Additionally, any time a to-do item comes up, I schedule it. For example, I’m working on a project evaluation, so I’ve blocked time to do that in my calendar over the next few weeks.

There are many days I do not follow my schedule, but when I deviate, I move everything around so at the end of each day by calendar reflects where I actually spent or invested my time. This keeps me honest and helps me stay focused on my three priorities. 

​Having everything scheduled out makes it difficult to chase shiny objects because it means I have to rearrange my calendar, which requires me to make intentional choices about how I use my time!
 
This is the key:

• Schedule priorities in advance
• Track your time during the day in your calendar
• Move items in your calendar as things change

 
These practices add up to a much more intentional use of my time.
 
Today’s intention: Record in your calendar throughout the day what you spend/invest your time doing. You might want to do this on a personal calendar if your work calendar is shared. Pay attention to your thinking and how keeping your calendar up to date impacts your decision making.

Cheers!

​Frederick