How to Fix Your Schedule, Pt. Two
Stop doing more than 1 task after work!
After the workday is a common time to do important tasks on our schedules. For many of us, the time we have after the workday is the only time many of us have to take courses, to exercise, to cook/meal prep or to participate in some much-needed self-care. But many of us are bundling several tasks after work, which results in us not sticking to our schedules. We end up arriving home late, not doing our chores and errands and we end up getting less of the necessary sleep that we need to function. This is not #goals!
The truth is, is that after-work time is simply not enough time to do more than one task. So what can you do to use your after-work time productively? You can choose just one thing to do after work, per day. For instance, if your gym is near your job, and time permits it, take an hour after work to exercise then go home and begin to wind-down for the next day. You can also free up your time overall by doing more chores and errands on your non-work days versus your work days. For example, do things like meal prep for the week or iron all of your outfits on a non-work day. Go to the gym on a non-work day and just go once a week until your schedule allows you to go more than one day. But the point is, you must not overload your days, especially on the days that you work.
Do no more than 3 main tasks per day.
Main tasks are things pertaining to working/running a business, school/studying or research, household chores/errands, family/children and/or self-care (gym, spa, health and beauty appointments). Even if you can or want to do more, cap the amount of tasks to no more than 3 per day.
Do no more than 2 extra tasks per day. Extra tasks include anything you have time to complete outside of your scheduled main tasks. Do no more than 2 extra tasks per day.
Plan in advance the way(s) that you will spend your downtime (breaks, lunches, time in between tasks) and Always spend downtime alone. Do not use social media or electronics during down-time, especially not when you study or work. Set aside a specific day/time for social media, watching TV, phone calls, texting and/or socializing with other people. Only return phone calls that are absolutely urgent once you complete your main tasks. Download your music, shows, podcasts or audio BEFORE you exercise! Be 100% focused on your designated task during its assigned time.
Some productive ways to spend time in between tasks are:
Read a book.
Take a course or study a topic.
Be still, be mindful and relax.
Practice deep breathing or mindful meditation.
Listen to a podcast or audiobook.
Free-write, make lists or journal.
Combine errands and/or appointments together that are on the same side of town/in close proximity of each other. This will save you time and aggravation. For example, if the post office or gym is on your commute home from work, stop by on your way home, if your schedule permits. If the grocery store and nail salon are in the same neighborhood, schedule to do those tasks on the same day, as long time permits to complete both. It only becomes stressful when you spend your time traveling to several different places just to “get things done.” Bundle errands together that can be combined. If you cannot bundle your errands, try to find closer locations to home or work to save you time and get them done.