3 Tips For Daily Scheduling

So far in our Christian life-management series, we’ve discussed defining our roles, creating mission statements, and the Biblical basis and mechanics of goal-setting. Today we’ll narrow our focus even more as we discuss daily schedules.

Tip #1: Categorize your to-do list.

It’s been my life experience that items on my to-do list fall into one of four categories: putting out fires, smoking, cruising, or stalled. Here’s what I mean by this.

In ‘putting out fires,’ this is a get-it-done ASAP, high-priority item. No procrastinating. Usually, it flares up at the worst possible moment, demanding your attention.

The ‘smoking’ category is for those things that might be considered urgent, but on closer inspection they’re not all that important. You may have to deal with these items, but they’re not necessarily a high priority.

‘Cruising’ is my personal favorite. These are those items that are important, but not a catch-my-hair-on-fire-trying-to-get-it-done kind of thing. It’s enjoyable in this category, a place of being pro-active and productive, so this is where I like to spend most of my time. NOTE: This category is also where we are most in line with your roles, mission statement, and goals.

‘Stalled’ is where we have to watch out. These are the to-do list items that can suck up all our time if we’re not careful. And generally speaking, these are not all that important. Things like e-mail, phone calls, television, social media. We get into them thinking we’ll only spend a few minutes, and then four hours later…

So in this first tip, grab a piece of paper and divide it into fourths. Write down those fire-fighting activities first, the things that cannot be left undone for one more minute. They go on your schedule first.

In the second box, write down the cruisers. These things must take a high priority in your life, even if they’re not urgent. If you don’t schedule time for these, you’ll get to the end of your day without them being completed. Schedule them next.

Next list the smokers, the ones that have a sense of urgency, but aren’t all that important on closer inspection. Choose one or two to add to your schedule IF you have time.

Last of all schedule a few minutes to take care of those things that can steal your time if you’re not careful. If necessary, set a timer. On your mark, get set, go! Once that timer goes off, click out and move on.

You may want to create a code of some sort to put next to each item so you can tell at a glance what is most important. Use stickers or highlighters to keep yourself on track.

Tip #2: Keep a daily planner.

This might go without saying, but you need a central location to write things down as you think of them. You may want to keep a master to-do list and move items to your daily schedule as needed. If something doesn’t get done, move it to the next day, after categorizing the item.

You can also keep business cards and paper scraps with important info here, to help you keep up with it all. This also a good place to write down computer passwords, important phone numbers, and addresses.

Tip#3: Get into the habit of updating your planner on a daily basis.

Put a check next to items as you complete them. This serves as motivation. Take a few minutes at the start of your day or the end of the previous day to write down your prioritized schedule. Schedule weekly time to get ready for the following week.

While daily scheduling might seem like just another chore to add to your already packed day, it will save you time and frustration in the long run.

These tips have helped me be more intentional about living my life. By following them in cohesion with my roles, mission, and goals, I am more productive and reach my goals in a timely manner.

I’d love to hear your tips for life-management, especially as it concerns your daily schedule. Have questions? Let me know in the comments.

Live loved!