Scheduling

What?!! Yes, scheduling.

You may be one of those people who hate to have everything scheduled out and that is why you have avoided such an idea. Well, this tool is for you!

Why? Do you say. Okay...let me share some thoughts and then you can choose.

Thought 1: Schedules help set boundaries in our day, week, month, year. Without boundaries chaos can set in. Without boundaries time can be stolen from you. You can wake up in 365 days and realize you are either way off the course you desired for the year or that you never even got started on the goals you wanted to reach.

Thought 2: Schedules help you say "No". Again it is the boundaries that scheduling gives you that allows you to see where "no" (or "wait") is your right answer. Without the word "no" we often over commit; spend our precious energy and time on the wrong focus; get caught in a burn out cycle; and wind up disappointed and disillusioned down the road.

Thought 3: Schedules help to de-clutter life. We can see what needs to be thrown out of our routines. These are the things that are not working anymore or are outdated taking up needed space in our brain and our daily/weekly/monthly hours.

Thought 4: Schedules create order in our lives. For many people this order creates a sense of stability and peace. This order can help reduce stress for people.

Thought 5: Schedules create priorities. With priorities we make sure that we don't overlook activities, goals, appointments, etc. that are important to us. Life can become hijacked by crisis events (the little fires) that distract us from what is actually important and priority. Having priorities set in our lives helps us stay focused on the right things at the right time.

I want to also give a few suggestions about schedules:

1. Use a simple calendar (whatever form that works best for you). This does not have to be difficult or elaborate. Consistency is more important than technology or the "perfectness" of your scheduling technique.

2. You do not have to schedule every moment of every day. For some people that is too overwhelming and makes the schedule feel like a prison. Set in the basics that other things are going to need to work around.

3. Along with your calendar keep a To Do list to jot down things that come to you but you are not sure where to fit them into your schedule.

4. Set aside time to review your calendar and To Do list. Keep things updated and mark off what you have completed (a little reward for you!).

5. Always include REST time in your schedule. This is important.

Source: Cindy's Life Lessons