Time management and lists
Using even very rudimentary time management and lists of things I need to do, then going one step further and setting up a weekday timetable, helps me to focus. What I’ve been putting off becomes harder to ignore, besides which I find I have much more headspace to make life more interesting and enjoyable.
Compiling lists puts all outstanding matters up front, spelled out in black and white, so I don’t have to carry reminders around in my head. If I go one step further and compile the rudiments of a timetable for each weekday, I can change and refine what I decide to do, testing out what works. In itself, the thought that goes into setting up a timetable gives me the added incentive to follow through and commit to what I’ve already decided.
It doesn’t matter so much what I put in my schedule: respecting the thought and commitment implicit in setting one up, I find it much easier to tailor my other tasks around it without having to find awkward excuses. To say, “I’m sorry, I’m busy” is enough, and far easier than, “I’ve timetabled work that day,” which always invites a counter argument, “Oh, but surely, just this once?” or “But you don’t have to work today, surely?” Beware of people planting the idea that what they have planned for you is more important than what you have timetabled.

Another major bonus of timetabling deployed for even a couple of weeks, is that allocated timeslots quickly become habit forming. We get used to doing a thing regularly at a set time, and so it gets easier. Writing between, say, 2pm and 5pm on weekdays; hoovering on Monday mornings early; supper prep never before five of an evening. Little steps like this soon build into a self-respecting habit, which also means it is very much easier to relax and enjoy our free time when we have scheduled a “Weekend off!”
Thanks for listening.
Please share:
July 21, 2020 @ 10:12 am
yes, I reckon it’s true that schedules are a real help. Even when you are retired it is good to plan time off – I truly believe it is more enjoyable when you feel as though you ‘earned’ it.
July 21, 2020 @ 11:41 am
Yes! Indeed. I followed my first timetable for only two weeks, if I remember, but it made a huge difference to how I now do actual work, esp. the stuff I don’t typically enjoy – though I enjoy it much more, now. That’s a story for another day… But yes, I love my weekends off too! Brilliant! 😀 😀 Thanks for reading and commenting, Diane, I do so value your input.
July 23, 2020 @ 6:33 pm
I love a well planned schedule, their orderly and precise machinations fascinate me. However, they pose questions that my brain finds impossible to decipher, such as, what day is it again? Didn’t we do that yesterday or maybe the day before? By the time I have oriented myself to time and place I find that I have forgotten why I need to know such tedious information, and poddle off to make myself a drink.
July 23, 2020 @ 7:12 pm
Lovely, Janet! I’m finding it harder to remember which day it is too. LOL! 😀 😀 Timetables work for me when I have too much to do, but I must admit that often, I just go full pelt through the day, working as hard as possible, and that has to do. It usually does! Timetables, so reminiscent of school, bring out my inner rebel, until I look at all the spaces marked, “day off” and “weekend off” at which point I am more reconciled. Xxx