Why I Began to Schedule

I was never taught the benefits of scheduling my days. No one ever mentioned that there was even such a need. And so I grew up with school being the only scheduled part of my day. Everything else was random and just happened whenever it happened by chance. The adults in my life lived this way, so I of course patterned my life the same way. 

But I had huge dreams that played through my head every single day. As a very young child I tried to figure out how they would ever come true. Where did I even begin? Or were those dreams just for the privileged and would slip through my fingers? As I became older, I began to observe those around. Read books and do simple research. I don’t remember the exact day, but I remember the season that I became aware of the benefits of scheduling! It struck a chord with me and I gladly embraced it. I now had the first answer to turning my dreams into reality and I was thrilled. 

My Method of Scheduling

The scheduling started slowly. I had to find my way and what really worked for me. Of course I was super good at getting it all spelled out on paper and grids, but the actual doing part took a little longer. Realizing that years of bad habits do not go away over night, made me more intentional and I worked harder to reap the benefits of scheduling! I had to have a want-to bigger then my comfort zone!

I started with writing out the basics of my day. My morning routine. My work day. The children’s plans. And our evening routine. Then I figure out what plans have times that are non-negotiable and fill those in first. Such as, the bus arrives at 7:40am. I fill that in on my schedule and work backwards filling in our morning routine. Breakfast, showers, making lunches and a bit of family time takes us back to almost 6:00am. That meant that my own morning routine must begin before then. After figuring out our morning, I then go back to the non-negotiable time of 7:40am and begin working forward. I plan time to be online personally and for business. At the end of that time my alarm reminds me to wrap things up fast and move to the next section of my schedule.

Yes, I have multiple alarms set on my phone to keep me on track. For me, that’s the key to sticking to my schedule. Reminders! They help me to not get caught up in the wrong thing and waste time that is needed for something more important at the moment. They help me maximize the benefits of my schedule!

The Benefits of a Schedule

Having a schedule and setting reminders has changed my productivity to the extreme! I have easily doubled the amount of things I get done each day. It has lowered my anxiety level significantly and helped me to be a much calmer, more organized mom and friend! No longer do I forget events till the last minute and fly out the door in an awful mood. When a friend rings to drop by, it no longer puts me in a panic mode that I can not enjoy their visit. I have the extra time to actually be present when my children want to talk. Those earlier dreams have their own little place in each day now and I can see progress. I have time to lend a listening ear to the friend going through a rough valley. The benefits of a schedule are endless!

I even have times for me! It brings happiness realizing the vast amount of value I can add to my life and to those around me, by being intentional about my daily schedule! 

You Can Reap the Benefits of a Schedule Also

You can do it too! There is no need to stay stuck in that helpless feeling of watching life pass you by, while you only manage to get the mundane done each day! Begin small so that you are not overwhelmed. But begin! Don’t put it off any longer! You know you want the peace of not needing to keep track of everything and the extra moments of free time you will find.

So begin now! Right now, go pick up that notebook and let’s get a draft started. Maybe for you, starting means scheduling your evenings only. Then later adding a morning routine. Within a few weeks you will see the enormous benefits and want to add your entire day! Your reminders will be dinging and you will be smiling because you’re ahead of schedule today and have a few minutes to just relax! 

Yes, scheduling can work wonders in your life! Give it a try and see for yourself!