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Whether you’re a successful freelancer, small business owner or a busy parent, you’ve probably heard that a daily planner is all you need to set your schedule straight, but why? A daily game plan helps you utilize your day to the fullest and here’s how.
You Prioritize
When you sit down to schedule how you will spend your day, you’re confronted with the reality of a finite timeline. You’ll naturally prioritize what gets done today and what gets done first. Knowing what needs to get done it the first step to a successful day plan.
You Set Realistic Goals
Have you ever heard “if it doesn’t fit on a sticky note, it won’t get done today”? The phrase illustrates the importance of having a realistic goal for your days. An ambitious daily schedule is fine, but it must also be realistic.
You’re Ready for the Unexpected
What happens when you have a big client suddenly want to do a meeting? When you know you have a free slot at 2 pm to either meet the client or catch up on the morning work you missed out on, handling the unforeseen change in your day is no sweat.
You’re More Productive
Research statistics state that every minute spent planning shaves off 10 minutes of execution time. With 30 minutes of planning, you can add 5 hours to your week and that will certainly give you an uptick in productivity.
Your Time Management Improves
The more your do plan your days the better you’ll get at estimating the time it takes for you to complete a task. You’ll also learn how to plan around your unique quirks. For instance, perhaps you’re most productive after lunch, so you like to do harder tasks at this time.
These are five great reasons to start keeping a daily planner. When deciding on a system, focus on what works for you and the demands of your day.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.