Keeping to a schedule is challenging in the best of times. Unexpected situations come up that interfere, even for those of us who are primo planners. But when abnormal circumstances arise, the ability to keep to a schedule becomes trickier, and yet more essential.
What I keep hearing from clients is when times are chaotic they feel disorganized and often have difficulty remembering what day it is. Having a schedule gives us a sense of calm and order. It helps provide a sense of direction, focus and productivity and at least as essential, a sense of feeling grounded.
Historically our schedules have been driven by what needs done. What do our children need to do (school, daycare, activities etc.), the commute to work and traffic patterns or train schedules, travel for meetings with clients, prospects and others, self care (hours of the gym and personal care such as haircuts), vacations plans and of course whatever is planned at the office.
During abnormal times this structure disappears and leaves us feeling out of sorts. When you don’t have events that drive our schedules we have to take steps to put structure in. Here are a few tips that will help.<
1. Don’t stop doing what you’ve always done. How you do it will be different, but what kept you sane before still applies. Just because you can’t go to the gym doesn’t mean you can’t get exercise. If you used to go out to eat every week, maybe take out is an option or a picnic on your living room floor. Whatever you did before that can still be done, but differently do. It will help you feel a sense of normalcy.
2. Eat, drink and be merry. I’m not suggesting you consume alcohol every night but if you enjoy that glass of wine with dinner, have it. Plan meals in advance, have the supplies and prepare meals. Kids can help with meal preparation or setting the table or cleaning up. Instead of seeing meals as something you rush through to fill our bellies, take time to enjoy your family or friends in a way you likely never have.
3. Delegate, share tasks and get more done. It’s a great time to recognize that there are dozens of chores and tasks that are needed to keep a household running. Kids need attention, they may need help with school, laundry, cleaning, meal prep, grocery shopping and the list goes on. Make a list of everything that needs done and divide and conquer. Have your kids help. So what if the dusting isn’t perfect or the bed isn’t made like you would have made it. They can learn how to participate, take responsibility and everyone helps out. Your spouse/SO or roommates can divide up the list with you.
4. Keep boundaries around your work day. It’s easy when you work from home to find yourself working at 7 PM at night, when you wouldn’t have before or check emails one last time before you go to bed. Stop it! If your work day has been 9 – 5 in the office, keep it the same at home. And don’t change your schedule just because you are at home. If you used to get to the office at 8, don’t decide that starting to work at 11 is acceptable and you’ll just work later.
5. Sleep, eat, work and play like you always have. Get the sleep you need, you may find you need even more. Build in structured time for meals, work and play like you always have. Continuity is important to keep you feeling grounded and in control.
6. Clutter drains our energy. Physical clutter drains our energy and focus. That’s always been true but when you spend most of your day in the house it’s easy to let clutter build up, and you don’t even notice it. Look around. Is there mail you can throw away or blankets the kids used to build a fort that can be refolded? Dishes still in the sink or papers everywhere? Pick it up, put it away, throw it out, clean it up…you’ll feel unexpectedly lighter, and more productive.
7. Recharge…whatever that means to you. It’s so easy to binge watch whatever the next greatest series is on TV, spend more time than normal playing games on your phone or chatting with people on whatever apps you use. Of course some of this is healthy but use this time to do what recharges you or a project that has been lingering. For me it’s more time quilting and baking and knitting, which is good since all are very zen activities for me. Maybe for you it’s reading or finally doing the research on something you never find the time for. Or a project that has been on your list for months. Take time to recharge and do something you love or something you want to do.
There’s no magic to building a schedule. I can’t promise that everything I have outlined will work perfectly for you. Many have children at home and that adds another dimension to the scheduling I didn’t even address. What I am saying is that if you take the time to put structure into your day, to look at your day not as chaotic and impossible but as different than it used to be, and your new normal you’ll get more done, feel less burdened and be happier.
I’ve put together a Time Management Checklist that offers ideas on how to use your time more productively. You can download it at the link below.
