How I Plan My Day

Once I’m up in the morning, I have a routine (generally helpful) that includes a few minutes looking over the schedule and tasks for the day. This allows me to plan my approach from the start. While thinking through the plan one day, I thought it might be helpful to document what the process contains for the benefit of all.

*Often I take a look at my planner on my way out the door for a walk, since I find it helpful to think and walk. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it may be a way to multi-task for some. If you need to sit down and focus entirely on the page, please do that. Once I walk back in the door, I write down any adjustments needed.

On this particular day, I had three things scheduled and three priorities for activities. The first appointment was at 2:00, then 4:00, then 6:00, so I had hours to flex before getting where I needed to be…but not a lot of time later in the day. The tasks that needed to be tackled were varied: laundry, desk work, and raking hay.

First I considered priorities. The hay had to be baled by that night, since rain was forecasted for the next day. The desk work needed to be at least partially completed, since the due date was the next day and there wasn’t a lot of time to work on it the next day. The laundry just generally needs to be done, although we can always survive for a day or two without it.

Then I considered logistics. Although the hay was the primary importance, the dew needed to dry before I could tackle it. Desk work and laundry could be done before the raking, while the sun did its work. If I had time after raking, I might be able to fit in some more work, but if not, I had at least completed what was necessary. This also worked well because my mental energy would be better first thing, more than after working outside for a few hours.

* I have found the best time for me to do laundry is while doing work at my desk. The machine alerts prod me up out of the chair at regular intervals, which is healthier than sitting for hours. Since transferring laundry takes about 0.00000001% of mental capacity, I can retain my train of thought and jump back into the project easily when I get back.

One thing I check for appointments is that I have everything prepared. In this case, books were in the truck already and a bag was packed by the door, so I was set. Any other preparation would have had to fit into the morning also.

I also checked the task list for the week to ensure I was aware of possible errands I could run between appointments. Those were scheduled with enough margin that I would probably have some time — though not a lot — in between, and I wanted to be prepared to fit a stop in on the way home.

*Not surprisingly, the day did not go as planned! However, because I was clear on my priorities, the logistics could bend to work around what was absolutely necessary. The hay got baled, the work got done in time, the laundry was clean-but-not-folded, two appointments were attended, and no errands were crossed off the list.

The Live Rich Planner

Are you looking for a full-fledged planner? Do you like decorations in everything you do? Well, the Live Rich planner may be for you. A friend shared with me how it has been working for her, so I thought I would pass along the possibility for all of you.

The Budget Mom designed this planner “to encourage you to plan, attack your goals, dream big, and be creative. Most importantly, this planner was created to make your life easier.” Each planner comes with two sheets of stickers for you to customize your pages with a little fun. Erasable colored pens would round out the visual interest nicely.

The planner comes unlabelled, so you can start whichever month you would like, as well as label your weeks to start on whichever day works best for your routine. You have a page with the month spread, for big picture planning. Then you have a set of spreads for each week: one for a daily personal plan, one for meal planning and tasks, and one for finances. You can keep track of your time and tasks and projects and spending and goals all in one book.

Both the task and finance spreads are pretty in-depth, with plenty of flexibility for how you use them. You can have your meals laid out on the same page as your shopping list. You can record your grocery store spending in the same book as your meal plans and task list. You can sort your housework into a task list by day.

Different sections encourage you to write down your goals. There is also a small section encouraging you to make a stretch goal, and there is space each week to write down your wins for motivation.

Because the planner includes so much, it is pretty big. One option would be to keep it on a book stand on your desk or kitchen counter. This would keep it handy and visible, and you could set reminders for yourself to add items that may come up when you are away from home.

Pros:

  • Two sizes available
  • Super flexible — start whenever, label weekdays however
  • Covers so many bases of life
  • Big, plenty of space to write and decorate
  • Focus on goals and habits — encourages getting creative with goals
  • Entire year stays together, if you like to have a year to review
  • Durable construction — heavy duty paper and strong plastic binding
  • One pocket folder in back of book for loose papers

Cons:

  • If you don’t intend to use most of the pages, this would not be a good choice for you
  • Large size is pretty big, so hard to carry with you
  • Price: $48 + shipping