The Superpower of Scheduling

🤝 Hi Digital Travelers,

Apologies for the delay, I had some serious technical difficulties this week (someone forgot to hit the send button).

Luckily though, my forgetfulness is actually a perfect pivot into this week’s topic (maybe I actually forgot to send this newsletter on purpose 👀).

Today, we are going to delve into the underestimated power of managing a schedule.

Remember those days when you felt like time just slipped through your fingers?

Or when you wish there were more than 24 hours in a day? (who are we kidding, we'd probably still be procrastinating!)

While we can't control time, we can control how we use it.

And that's our focus today – how having a schedule can be your hidden superpower in the grand adventure of adulting. So, grab that cup of coffee, tea, or whatever potion you prefer, and let’s dive into the world of proactive time mastery.

👾 Adulting Lesson

So, let's talk about schedules.

I know…

Envigorating…

But hear me out.

Did you know that according to a study, only about 17% of people can accurately estimate the passage of time?

Yep, the rest of us are just winging it, hoping we don't forget that important Zoom call or our best friend’s birthday (guilty).

That’s where the power of scheduling swoops in.

Lesson 1: Structure Liberates

It may sound counterintuitive, but structure can set you free.

Instead of feeling trapped by the ticking clock, you get to decide how to allocate your time. With a clear schedule:

• Prioritization: You can focus on what's most important first, ensuring that the essential tasks aren’t left to the last minute.

• Eliminate Overwhelm: A set plan helps prevent those feelings of drowning in endless tasks. It's like having a map in a vast city.

• Achieve Balance: It's easier to ensure you have time for work, play, rest, and personal growth when you can visualize how your day or week looks.

The first step is putting your week into Google Calendar and making a to-do list.

Write what you do every week. This includes the gym, dinner, family time, work, when you go to sleep, when you wake up, etc.

Lesson 2: Time Blocks: Your Personal Time Containers

Ever heard of time blocking? It’s like meal prepping but for your calendar. Instead of figuring out what to do at any given moment, you:

• Batch Similar Tasks: Group related activities together. For example, if you have emails to send, set a dedicated time in the day to handle all of them at once.

• Set Boundaries: Allocate specific time slots for different activities. No more endless scrolling on social media; set a time for it!

• Stay Flexible: Life happens! Time blocks can be moved around as needed. They're guidelines, not prison cells.

The next step is to time block.

Obviously, you can’t set events for everything on your calendar as we generally have infinite things to do. That’s where time blocks come in.

Now that you have an understanding of your schedule from step one, go through it in greater detail and proactively set time to work on things.

Be realistic about how much time you need.

Lesson 3: The Ripple Effect of a Schedule

Just like dropping a pebble in water creates ripples, a well-maintained schedule can have a cascading positive impact on different areas of your life:

• Enhanced Focus: Knowing what's up next lets your brain prepare in advance, making transitions smoother.

• Stress Reduction: Less mental clutter and last-minute rushes. You have clarity on when things will happen.

• Greater Productivity: With fewer distractions and clear objectives, you can achieve more in less time.

Once you have your schedule set, stick to it. Consistently executing your schedule compounds into it becoming a habit, which then compounds into you being able to execute more.

Conclusion

The true essence of having a schedule isn't just about ticking off tasks or being a slave to the clock; it’s about harnessing the reins of time to gallop confidently in the direction of our dreams.

As we embrace our newfound power, remember: adulting, much like anything else, is a journey. We may not always get it right, but with the right tools (like that sparkly scheduling cape), we're better equipped to face the challenges head-on.

Wear your scheduling cape with pride!

📝 Actionable Advice

1. Structure Liberates: Spend just 10 minutes each morning visualizing your day. Outline the top three tasks that need accomplishing. It’s a small step that sets the tone for a more structured, yet flexible day.

2. Time Blocks: Start with just one day this week. Divide it into blocks, dedicating each to a specific task or activity. Remember, perfection isn’t the goal; adaptability is.

3. The Ripple Effect: At the end of each day, take a moment to jot down three things you achieved due to your schedule. Witnessing these small victories will motivate you to continue.

🎙️ Quote of the Week

✌️Closing Time

And just like that, another episode of "Adulting: The Never-Ending Saga" comes to a close.

Remember, we’re all in this chaotic, sometimes confusing, always entertaining journey together.

So next time you feel overwhelmed, just chuckle and think: at least I’m not juggling flaming torches... yet. Keep rocking the cape and till next time.

Cheers,

Mike