I am still using weeklies, though. The thing is that having dailies more than a week out would make my planner too fat. Also, there are days when a daily is not needed. On those days, I simply use my old monthly/weekly system. I've found that, planning-wise, things haven't changed all that much. I was already doing a daily review of my planner, after all, and now I just do it pen in hand.
In this example, Sunday was not busy enough to justify a daily sheet.
I don't archive daily pages. I simply use them and toss them. And I still don't double up. If I make a daily page, the monthly and weekly page get obviously marked with the word "daily" so that I don't accidentally use the wrong page.
Today, I wanted to focus on some tricks and tips about my daily pages that make them work.
(Disclaimer: I generally make a set-up page for my blog post, and then erase and put in actual times for my real life. So don't even think about trying to break into my house, stalkers!)
*PLAN AM AND PM WITH LINES TO SHOW TIME SPAN.
Simply drawing a line from anticipated start to finish time visually indicates how much of my day is dedicated to each scheduled event.
No line? That means no event is scheduled so tasks can get done.
In the example above, I plan to drop off the kids at carpool, work in a coffee shop for about an hour (because I need to hit the pharmacy at the grocery store and they don't open until 9 a.m.), and then grocery shop (which must be done before lunch or we won't eat). In the afternoon, I need to work a little more.
*ADD TIME SENSITIVE TASKS TO SCHEDULE.
This is one of the real benefits of a daily page that I just cannot accomplish well on a monthly/weekly set-up. Some tasks need to be done before school (like the kids am checklist, which includes such things as putting lunch, snacks, and a water bottle in their backpack BEFORE school). Some, like unloading groceries, must be done immediately upon returning home. Having a timed schedule for the day means I can mark when these time sensitive tasks should be done.
*USE A DEDICATED SPACE TO LIST WHAT NEEDS TO LEAVE THE HOUSE IN THE MORNING.
Okay, this one is a big deal. It is probably the most helpful thing that I am doing with the daily pages. My kids leave the house with the same stuff each day (backpack, water bottle, snack, and lunch), so I have a sticker checklist for their stuff. If you go to the office each day, you can probably just borrow that idea.
But needs can really vary from day-to-day. Am I working out? Am I doing my legal work at home or in a coffee shop? Do I need reusable bags for grocery shopping? Am I eating any of my meals on the run?
Depending on what I am planning, I make a list of what I need to pack. (I use old daily pages and my timed schedule to create this list.) In the example above, I am going shopping (so I need reusable bags and coupons), I am working remotely (so I need my netbook and my work bag), and I am eating on the run (so I need fruit).
I also list my outfit for the day. In this case, no workout gear or business meeting clothes are required, but I do need walking shoes (as opposed to flip flops or sandals) since I will be shopping.
I do put as much of this stuff out as possible the night before, but the list ensures that I don't forget or waste time because I am unprepared.
*JUST LIKE ON WEEKLY ENTRIES, MUST DO AND SHOULD DO TASKS GO IN TWO SEPARATE LISTS.
I really do generally get should dos done because I plan a realistic amount of tasks. But if something comes up and I am forced to move things around a bit, I don't have to think about it. Should dos get moved and get a hash mark so that I have a record of how many times I moved them. 4 to 5 hash marks and they get dealt with.
*PUT CIRCLES BEFORE TASKS.
I use a circle instead of a box because circles are quicker to write.
*PUT CONTEXT CODES BEFORE TASKS.
In the example, I use the following: C = at computer, W = at work, H = at home, and A = anywhere. I keep a master list of them in the files of my planner.
TIP: Have a special file in your ABC files for planner related information, like measurements, the name of your favorite refills, ideas for new ways to use your planner, the description of your favorite ink pens, or the name of the files on your laptop that hold your sticker templates.
By using context codes, I can sit at my computer and knock out only those task. A tiny bit of extra effort when writing down the tasks makes a big difference in time spent doing the tasks.
*CIRCLE REPEATING TASKS.
This particular sample has a lot of repeating tasks. It's because it is a Monday entry and lots of things need to be done once a week. In fact, if I come across something random that I want to do next week, I usually put it on the Tuesday or Wednesday list, so that I have plenty of time on Monday to do these things.
When I do a circled task, before checking it off, I consider the next time it needs to be done, and rewrite it with a circle around it on that date. Then I check off the task.
The repeat duration varies. I have to check Edline once a week during the school year for updates from the kids' teachers. I have to write the lawn care check every ten days. I blog about every other day or so.
*LEAVE BLANK SPACE FOR NOTES.
Trust me, you'll need it. Since I don't archive these pages, any really important notes (like the confirmation number from booking a hotel room) go on my weekly pages. I still find that I use the notes area all the time!
*JOT DOWN A MENU.
My breakfast usually depends on my morning plans. Home? I eat oatmeal. On the road? Sunflower seeds or pecans and some fruit. Lunch is generally leftovers or salad. Dinner is already on my menu plan, but I put it here, too, so everything is in one place.
*END OF THE DAY REMINDERS GET A SPECIAL SPACE.
By the end of the day, I am so tired that I cannot think. This space is used to remind me that the little one needs a bath (an every other night task due to his skin condition) and that I must prep snacks and lunch for tomorrow. Anything else must be done tonight? It goes here.
Etcetera.
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