Planning Ahead For The Work Week Allows You To Be Productive, Intentional and Less Stressed.

Creating a weekly work task schedule will help you accomplish your tasks, projects and appointments more clearly, while still allowing flexibility.

Find the best system

Use a weekly schedule system that works for you and the way you work. Whether it be a planner, phone, desktop calendar or a combination. You can modify your calendar to your work schedule and start on any day. I like to use Google calendar, but I also create a weekly task calendar on a white board, so I have it right in front of my view. I plan the schedule on the Friday or weekend before the start of the work week. I have been doing this for years and it helps me prioritize and allows me to add notes. I also like the feeling of checking off items, visually it makes me feel more productive.

List your priorities

Start by listing the most important items to accomplish and focus on. After you are finished, prioritize your list. This will answer what, when, where, who and why. Start with items you want to complete first, so you have time to achieve them. Block off time for each area or task. Highlight items that have a timeline for completion.

Be practical

Be realistic in your weekly schedule. Be practical on what you can accomplish in a week.

If you aren't able to; don't sweat it, the reason for the weekly planning is to be motivating, aware, productive and focused, not to cause anxiety. Add the undone tasks to the next week when planning and make them a priority.

Follow your plan

Even if something on the schedule is something you want to put off, do it anyway. I prefer to tackle the least desirable items for when I know I am more productive. Mondays are set for items that I can breeze through. Wednesdays and Thursdays are good days to tackle more complicated, challenging or lengthy tasks. I have the work groove going and my creativity is high. I plan non urgent emails and messages on Friday, to ensure I have everything else done for the week. Plus, it usually takes up less time and it's a satisfying way to end the work week. Following a weekly plan, allows for the most control of your work week, and it will create a habit that you can utilize and mentor for others.

Schedule breaks

Add in breaks, so you don't fatigue your brain or body. It may be a water or coffee break, stretching, a short walk or a quiet place. Anything that recharges you.

Stay on track

Planning and following through on a weekly schedule with help you see "the big picture."

It will deter you from procrastination, becoming overwhelmed and distractions. Additionally, it will make notice of what is consuming your time, avoid time "zappers", and ensure you are not taking on additional tasks that don't fit into your schedule.

Planning ahead for the work week is beneficial for you and your work associates. It makes you more productive, instills clear cut goals and provides focus. It can alleviate the physical and mental fatigue (brain fog) that interferes with your desire to create ideas, complete tasks and accomplish goals. Who wouldn't want a less frazzled workday and gain a feeling of success at the end of the work week?

Bonus, you get that checked off, done and won "Friday" feeling!