When you want to get more done in a day, the best thing you have going for you is a good plan based on smart goals, but you can do even better by removing distractions and setting and sticking to deadlines. đ
Set Your Daily Goals and Objectives
You should be starting with your long-term plan to then create your medium-term and short-term plans and actions. If you plan right, youâll be able to set daily goals and objectives that allow you to finish any project or task on time and under budget. The reason this work is that you start with the result you want, a time you want the result by, and then work your way backward in your calendar to today, planning small actions that will lead to the result you want.
For example, if you have a goal to write a 100,000-word novel in six months, youâd start with the due date, and work your way back in your schedule until today, listing chronologically the tasks that you need to complete each day in order to complete the project on the due date youâve set.
Remove Distractions
Once you know what will move you toward your desired result, itâs also important to avoid and remove distractions that might take you away from the realistic schedule you set for yourself.
For example, if you need to write 100,000 words and be finished with the novel in six months, youâd add writing, editing, cover art, book matter, marketing, and other actions that need to be done.
If you can only work on this project three days a week, 4 hours each day due to other obligations youâll have to list it in the calendar that way and work on taking away anything that will interrupt you during that time from TV, to email to kids or others walking in and interrupting you. Do not try to multitask if you really want things done on time.
Stick to Deadlines and Timelines
Using the same 100,000 words, and six months at 3 days a week, 4 hours a day, you can set your timeline and then devote to stick to the timetable. The way to make a realistic timeline and deadline is to know how long it takes you to do things and what is happening with the rest of your schedule.
If you schedule everything you need to do, including breaks, showering, working, social, personal, and professional (everything you do), itâs going to be much easier to set and stick to realistic timelines and deadlines.
Planning strategically is the most critical part of ensuring that you increase your productivity. Without a real plan, there is no way to know what has to be done and when, and youâll suffer from mistakes, roadblocks, and bottlenecks due to not thinking everything out. And I donât want that to happen to you!
Cheers,
Biggi