It’s Time To Rekindle Your Love Affair With Schedules
There is something about the planner isle that makes me tingle every time I walk through it. The promise of productivity, being on top of my game, and looking stylish while I do it, is a definite turn on. Even the smell of the leather makes me feel somehow more professional and put together. Every blank page seems to hold promise that I can do better and be better. They seem to whisper to me, “Buy me, and together we can conquer anything.”
It’s quite the experience. And I no longer buy planners. See, I’ve learned over the years that they are like that guy in high school who was gorgeous (and knew it), and flirted with you just enough to keep you hoping you had a shot. But in the end, he was nothing more than empty promises and disappointment.
My love affair with schedules started when I was fairly new in business. I would create these beautiful, functional, perfect schedules. I almost felt the pleasure of accomplishment while making them because success seemed so inevitable. All I had to do was follow the plan!
Then three weeks later, I would be beating myself up with the words, “All I had to do was follow the plan!!!!” After all, how hard can it be? It’s all written down! It makes perfect sense! There is clearly enough time to get everything done! Something must be wrong… with me.
My first love affair with schedules ended up being a semi-abusive relationship with me being both the victim and the abuser.
Fortunately I have learned some CRUICIAL tips that have helped me embark on a new, and much more positive relationship with schedules.
Honor your flow
Every schedule I ever created for myself in the beginning went completely against the flow of my body, brain, and life. For example, I used to schedule for myself to get up at 5 am, and I planned to work every evening and weekends so that I could be with my kids and be Martha Stewart at home during the day. The problem is, I HATE waking up at 5 am. I can bounce out of bed at 6 am and sing and dance while I get my kids ready for school. But 5 am? Oh no! Watch out. Nothing is funny. Everything takes me twice as long, and I feel tired ALL DAY LONG. My body hates 5 am. I also LOVE working in the mornings. I’m super creative and focused. So rather than try to force yourself into a schedule that goes against everything you love about living life, just create a schedule that honors your flow. I promise, it becomes soooo much easier to stick to!
Do more of less
My evil schedules always involved me doing a LOT of stuff. Long to do lists, big projects, jumping back and forth between tasks, working while managing kids… That schedule seriously required me to put on some spandex and turn into super woman. And I could never live up. Instead, I now give myself more time for everything I do. We always seem to underestimate how long everything will take. And I do more of fewer things. For example on Monday, I do nothing but work on the administrative side of my business. I spend the whole day in my CEO role. Now, I do a lot within that role, but I do not require myself to also make videos and respond to emails and hold coaching appointments. I allow myself to FOCUS on one area of need.
My evil schedules always involved me doing a LOT of stuff. Long to do lists, big projects, jumping back and forth between tasks, working while managing kids… That schedule seriously required me to put on some spandex and turn into super woman. And I could never live up. Instead, I now give myself more time for everything I do. We always seem to underestimate how long everything will take. And I do more of fewer things. For example on Monday, I do nothing but work on the administrative side of my business. I spend the whole day in my CEO role. Now, I do a lot within that role, but I do not require myself to also make videos and respond to emails and hold coaching appointments. I allow myself to FOCUS on one area of need.
Plan your downtime
A schedule that packs every minute of every day with productive activities is super bossy and we just don’t schedules like that. Create a schedule that gives you time to think, eat lunch, and go to the bathroom! Last year my assistant in charge of my scheduling sent me a text one morning that said, “If I lived closer, I’d bring you some depends today.” I looked at my schedule and sure enough, I had about 8 hours’ worth of appointments and NO bathroom break! And I had authorized that! How am I supposed to show up to be my best when I am not even honoring myself enough to have some downtime? Your brain needs time to rest. Your body needs time to eat and stretch and get fresh air. And your soul needs time to play. Schedule all of that in.
Maybe you’ve been struggling with a horribly bossy and controlling schedule that demands more of you than you can ever give it. If so, break up with that schedule. Maybe you left a schedule behind a while ago because it just didn’t bring you happiness anymore. I invite you to rekindle that love affair with your schedule and create one that actually works! It’s 2016, the year is just getting started. Imagine what you could create together! For more details: Business growth.
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