7 ways to stay on top of your schedule

Let’s face it – everyone struggles with their schedule from time to time, even the most organized of us. Ever since the beginning of this pandemic, motivation has been hard to come by, and procrastination is an easy trap to get caught in. Although these feelings are understandable, it’s easier than you think to reconnect with your inner hard-worker. To help you (and ourselves) out, we’ve got a few tips for getting back on track.

Create a weekly and a monthly schedule

Firstly, to even get a hold of your schedule, you need to create one. The best place to start when trying to get back on track is to ensure that you are aware of all your appointments and due dates. You’ll want two schedules – one monthly and one weekly. It may sound tedious and unnecessary, but both schedules are highly important to staying organized.

The monthly schedule is a brief overview of all tasks and appointments throughout the month. This will give you a better perspective of your workload for that month. The weekly schedule is more detailed and has each day planned out. The more detailed this schedule is, the easier it will be for you to stick with the tasks you’ve set for yourself. The weekly schedule also gives you a chance to incorporate smaller goals and steps that help make complicated tasks more manageable.

Schedule your breaks

Working for hours on end can negatively impact productivity and efficiency. Eventually, you will start to slow down. Your mind needs time to rest between each task, even if it’s only for a couple of minutes. Stretch, grab some coffee, browse through your socials – no matter what it is, giving yourself that second to breathe is beneficial. However, don’t get caught up in your 5-minute brea." Before you realize it, a whole hour can pass. Trust us, you aren’t alone. Setting alarms is a reliable way to ensure that you don’t get carried away and remember to get back to work on time.

Set realistic expectations

Giving yourself piles and piles of work you can’t realistically manage doesn’t help you (or anyone) at all. Not only will you lose motivation, seeing you aren’t able to accomplish everything, but it will also cause you unnecessary stress. Again, a monthly schedule will show you all the work you have lined-up and give you an idea of how much more you can handle. It may take some time to really see how much work is the right amount for you, so it’s always good to explore this and determine your own limit.

Minimize distractions

Keep your leisure time and your work time separate. Having distractions will only tempt you into doing anything but work. This also includes multitasking. Although some people are great at multitasking, for some of us it will only cause confusion and even decrease efficiency on both tasks. It’s best to have your mind focused on one thing at a time.

Treat yourself!

Reward yourself for a job well done. You should be proud of your achievements. Going out for dinner, bingeing your favorite TV show or grabbing a drink with a couple of friends are all great ways to celebrate your accomplishments. Whether it’s for a small or big goal, rewarding yourself keeps you motivated and on track. It also helps you stick with your schedule. Who knew indulging in free time could lead to so much productivity?

Sleep

It may seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people forget the importance of getting proper rest. Your body and mind are exhausted after a long day, and they need a break. Don’t punish yourself by pulling all-nighters because the end result is never as good. Your mind works best after 7 or more hours of sleep, and getting proper rest will surely improve your efficiency and allow you to work at your full potential.

Stick with it

It takes approximately 21 days to form a habit, so use this time to figure out what works for you. Everyone’s capabilities are different, so find a schedule that motivates you to stay on task and up to date. Don’t be discouraged by a little downfall, because these can happen to the best of us. Instead, give yourself a chance to relax and continue with the next thing on your schedule.

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