Principles for Organizing Your Day
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Create daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly plans.
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It is preferred that all plans are initiated prior to the time period in which the
plan starts. For example, it is preferred that daily plans are drafted prior to
the day in which the plan is executed; however, if that is not possible, then
continue to draft a 'To-Do" list that will provide a guide on the important
items for the day. This applies to weekly, monthly, and yearly plans in which
more long-term or extended action items can be accomplished.
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Always begin by reviewing your daily plan.
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By reviewing and adjusting what you want to accomplish during the day, and
establishing your priorities you become goal-driven rather than task-driven,
thereby driving your day, instead of letting it drive you.
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Schedule and do priority tasks first (or as close
to first as possible).
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This allows you to make sure that you get the most important things done,
and while you are still fresh.
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Schedule protected or concentrated work time
to do your priority work as early in the day as
possible.
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It's impossible to do concentrated or quality work if you're constantly being
interrupted. By scheduling protected time (even just an hour per day) you
become more productive and less stressed.
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Schedule a time period during the day for "self".
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This allows you to control the "unstructured" or "unplanned" things, instead
of them controlling you.
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Schedule repetitive/mechanical or less "taxing"
tasks for late in the day.
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When you're tired it's difficult to concentrate, and you don't do your best
work. By doing the mechanical or less "taxing" tasks late in the day you
won't get frustrated by your lack of concentration, and at the same time you
continue to feel productive because you're getting things done.
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Review, evaluate, and adjust your daily, weekly,
monthly, and yearly plan at the end of each time
period, respectively.
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This gives you a sense of completion. The day is done, you've done your
best, you've got a plan and are in control of tomorrow.
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Source unknown...
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