Following a consistent schedule can be a difficult thing to do. 

Whether work issues pop up or a sudden stomach bug, our lives are constantly throwing us curve balls and derailing our plans, making it seem impossible to stick to a schedule for longer than a few days.  But I’ve found plotting out your priorities on a calendar can be extremely beneficial —not only help you fit it all in but also to help you reflect on your day to day.  Knowing what you can’t stick to is almost more important than knowing what you can. 

Below are my tips if you’re looking to set a schedule for the first time or need help reworking your current one. 

First, Set Your Priorities:

• Specifically what are you looking to get out of your schedule?  Is it a consistent bedtime? Setting aside a specific time to workout?  Craving out time for personal projects? Are you setting just a schedule for your work day so you can finalize a large project between company meetings and team calls? 

• Knowing what your priorities are will help you focus on what to spend time on and when to start and end your day.  If you’re creating a holistic schedule (outside of scheduling tasks for work and school) make sure your priorities are not just work or business focused.  Social and mental health priorities like drinks with friends, meditating, working out, etc. are important to schedule as well!  

• If you’re limited on free hours due to your current commitments, rank what is most important for you to accomplish out of your newly set priorities so you have a realistic idea on what you need to fit into your schedule.  Maybe taking up a new language is a new hobby you are trying to work in but due to a busy time at work or family obligations you need you need to put on hold for now until you have less on your plate.  

• Also keep in mind, while you likely want to keep the base of your schedule consistent (sleep hours, work hours, days you workout, etc), each day might need to shift a bit.  So, having room for flexibility is key in the long run (maybe that means scheduling free hours on weeknights or weekend afternoons to be planned closer to) so you don’t need to make dramatic shifts to your overall schedule when something pops up. 

Second, Be Realistic with Timing:

• Now that you have your priorities, set the amount of time you need for each and what time of day is best to tackle them.  For instance, are you looking to workout for an hour every-other day?  Are mornings better for you to complete a workout then after work?  Do you want to make sure you are getting a full 8 hours of beauty sleep but need to be up by 7am each day?  Is your writing best in the afternoon once your meetings are complete for the day, and do you need 2 hours to compile and write out that presentation?  

Third, Map it Out:

• Once you have your list of priorities along with realistic timing for each, begin to plot it out on an actual calendar.  I recommend using a calendar app (I for one live by my Google Cal) so you can easily rearrange and set events as reoccurring (plus you get the added bonus of getting reminders throughout your day - I’ve gone so far as to schedule lunch and when to drink water since getting those reminders are so helpful during a packed day!).  If you prefer good old pen and paper, either draw out a weekly/monthly calendar or list out your activities with time frames for each. 

• When filling out your calendar, first try to jam it all in then rework it until it is a realistic schedule.  If there is no way you will finish a work project in 30 min don’t whittle your schedule down to that - it will only cause you more stress and a schedule us supposed to mitigate that!   Also question if the things you cannot find time for are essential and/or if you are able to find help accomplishing those (ie. can you remove your weekly mani if time does not permit it, or can your partner help pickup the kids if your work project will not allow you to leave work on time?).

• Also make sure you are scheduling work activities during work hours unless you prefer a more fluid work schedule. 

Last but Not Least Try It:

• Once you have a schedule you feel good about, follow it! 

• Getting used to a new schedule takes time but you’ll only see the holes and hiccups once you have it in action.  For instance maybe your morning commute timing is inconsistent so you need to schedule more time for train delays each morning.  Shifts may mean you have to re-evaluate what priorities fit in each day but making your schedule manageable will help you stick to it in the long run!  Remember that schedules are meant to help you accomplish your priorities and keep yourself organized, if something isn’t working maybe it’s time to rework it!