With the challenge of there being so many possible solutions for each of our struggles, the prospect of finding our own approach can be daunting.\u00a0 It all to easy to want to find an expert that will tell us what to do \u2013 break all the pieces down so we can follow it and poof, our problems will vanish.\u00a0 Even when our experience shows how unlikely this is, we can still get caught up in wanting an easy answer.\u00a0 Instead, when you know some basic ideas and approaches, you can pick and choose the parts that work for you and move forward.\u00a0 It is definitely a process \u2013 it\u2019s likely to take time \u2013 and here are some ideas to help you find your own solution.<\/p>\n
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Make a Time Map-<\/strong><\/p>\n This is what Julie Morgenstern\u2019s refers to as a \u201cbudget of your day, week or month that balances your time between the various departments of your life.\u201d\u00a0 I think about it as a chunking of what we need to do and how it relates to our schedule \u2013 a combination of the roles we fill and the ways we can shape our schedules to fit our life and style.\u00a0 It\u2019s a visual guideline for how we want to use our time; usually done in broad strokes (though you design it as you want or need) and from here you can see where to add any additional appointments or tasks.\u00a0 Here are some sample time maps to see various ways you can design your own: Time Map Sample Booklet<\/a>.<\/p>\n Since my schedule varies extensively, creating and using a time map is more challenging.\u00a0 Instead I\u2019ve considered how much time I\u2019d like to spend on the various roles of my life each week \u2013 then I can add them in as my schedule allows.\u00a0 The schedules we each have can vary so dramatically \u2013 this is where the strength of the time map can shine \u2013 you create it for your schedule, both the obligations of your life as well as your personal style.\u00a0 This deserves more attention; so keep your eyes open for a future post on just time maps.<\/p>\n Get Curious- <\/strong><\/p>\n Look for patterns in how you schedule and how you react to your schedule.\u00a0 For instance, when you have an appointment, you find yourself energized or drained after it?\u00a0 It won\u2019t be that simple though, but it can begin to reveal your own style.\u00a0 Do you repeatedly schedule things around other appointments?\u00a0 Do you honor those scheduled tasks?\u00a0 One of the key features of being curious is that you continue the curiosity \u2013 things change and evolve all the time.\u00a0 Therefore, even if you think you\u2019ve identified an important piece for yourself and schedule, work with that until it changes and then curiosity is still there to use again.<\/p>\n Experiment with the Variables-<\/strong><\/p>\n Since there isn\u2019t one right way of doing things, use that curiosity to test different options.\u00a0 One easy thing to test out can be when you run errands \u2013 do you do it at the end of a workday or when you have a day off?\u00a0 Or do you do a bit of both?\u00a0 Whatever your approach is, consider changing things for a little while \u2013 test how the changes impact your schedule, time, and energy.\u00a0 I\u2019ve discovered that I function better with 1 day a week that has no appointments \u2013 even if that means I need to make a couple days longer to run errands.\u00a0 I also use David Allen\u2019s Getting Things Done<\/a> 2-minute rule in a different way \u2013 where I will decide on an amount of time, say 15, 30, 45 minutes and then work on all the 2-minute tasks I can find during that time.<\/p>\n Brainstorm: What will help you to be more mindful of your schedule?-<\/strong><\/p>\n Between my curiosity and experimenting I figured out how many working hours were realistic.\u00a0 Yet, that didn\u2019t solve how I\u2019d sometimes over-schedule myself.\u00a0 Considering my calendar schedule \u2013 I work with the iPad calendar and the week view \u2013 I decided to create an \u201cappointment\u201d with the work hours scheduled for that week.\u00a0 This hasn\u2019t eliminated my over-scheduling, though it\u2019s helped tremendously and nothing is perfect.\u00a0 You know your schedule and your challenges, what can help you?\u00a0 The possibilities might not occur to you right way \u2013 sometimes they need to marinate.\u00a0 Once you have an idea, try it and see what happens.\u00a0 Each idea you try is a success regardless of whether it is a solution for you \u2013 at least if you give it a good trial.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n