On the most basic level, planners are tools that allow us to make the most of our time. Through the use of the Polymath Planner Time Log, you’ll see that productivity doesn’t have to come with the price of stress. This guide will show you a fresh perspective on how to set up your tasks for the day, as well as the best ways to utilize your most precious resource — time.
Get Clarity By Getting Chronological
Have you ever jotted down your to-do’s for the day, only to be super disappointed when you don’t get to them all? I think we’ve all been there, and it’s hard not to get frustrated, or worse, critical of ourselves.
Repeat after me — it’s not you, it’s your unrealistic expectations.
Before you call yourself anything less than the superstar that you are, take a moment to understand the flaws in this way of thinking.
How can you be mad at yourself for not doing enough if you haven’t figured out the HOW to do it?
Oftentimes, we can get overzealous about what’s possible within the course of our day. What’s more, we all know what it’s like to say “I’ll get to that later” until later turns into tomorrow, or so forth.
The Polymath Planner Time Log takes procrastination, hesitation, and overscheduling out of the equation. For every day in the Polymath Planner, you’ll see a column dedicated to planning its course. Through the chronological format, you can get a sense of where your daily to-do’s actually will fit within your schedule.
First, Get a Sense of Your Flow
When making the switch from to-do lists to a time log, this added piece of effort may intimidate you. However, know that crafting your ideal schedule may not land perfectly on the first try, nor should it!
STEP ONE: MAKE THE SWITCH FROM TO-DO LISTS TO TIME LOG.
When first starting out, play around with how you want your day to flow. If you’ve been skipping a solid morning or night routine, this is a great time to implement one! Or, if you’ve found yourself slacking in the exercise department, try picking a specific time designated to physical activity— that way, you won’t waste time wondering when you’ll get to it. The Polymath Planner time log can help to keep all of your priorities in line.
Through the planner’s prompts and opportunities for reflection, you’ll be able to tweak the order of your schedule until you find a general structure that feels good to you.
Word to the wise; to make sure you’re accounting for all tasks, jot them down in the “TO DO” section first.
There’s a Science Behind the “Rise and Shine” Phenomenon
Rise and shine! This cheery phrase is actually quite relevant, and rooted in science.
DID YOU KNOW?
Numerous studies show that most people are more apt to do their best work earlier in the day. Getting a good night of sleep is like putting yourself on charge-mode.
You’ll be “recharged” and ready to operate at your best when you first wake up. The earlier it is, the more energy we have. Motivation comes naturally, thoughts are clear, and vibes are high. We recommend taking advantage of these predisposed perks. 😊
STEP 2: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NATURAL ENERGY AND MOTIVATION YOU ARE GRANTED WHEN YOU FIRST WAKE UP.
As the day continues, our energy is lent out in all areas. Stress accumulates as time passes, giving our brains more to process, carry, and generally hold space for. As our batteries get low, we become less alert. An afternoon cup of coffee can put a pep in your step, but it’s definitely not a cure-all for this natural phenomenon.
STEP 3: KNOCK OUT THE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS FIRST.
You must get to your most important tasks when your mind is fresh. You’ll have efficiency on your side, which will allow you to operate as the sharpest version of yourself. Plus, you’ll feel pretty freakin’ awesome crossing out your priorities with plenty of time to spare.
Later in the day, you can tackle the to-do’s that don’t require as much mental gymnastics. When your motivation starts to wane, you can resort to autopilot activities like laundry, cooking, organizing, or cleaning.
STEP 4: SAVE THE END OF THE DAY FOR AUTOPILOT TASKS LIKE LAUNDRY, COOKING, AND CLEANING.
If You Don’t Think You Have Enough Time, There’s a Good Chance You’re Just Wasting It
Weknowyou’re super busy. We come from a culture that basically tells us if we’renotsuper stressed, we’re not doing it right. Because of this (harmful and untrue) concept, we’ll do anything and everything to achieve this accolade, even if it means skipping out on sleep, time with loved ones, eating a balanced diet, exercising, mental health awareness, etc.
With that being said, we often find ourselves running around more than we have to, plagued with anxiety and messy habits. We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be this way! With the use of the time log, you can really kick the concept of “play smarter, not harder” into high gear.
STEP 5: BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH TIME AND STOP RUNNING THE CLOCK.
The consistent use of the time log will reveal your relationship with time in several capacities. You’ll better understand when you’re most motivated, how much work/play/doing is reasonable within a day, and exactly where you’re wasting time.
Ultimately, the Polymath Planner’s time log will show you there’s a time and place for everything. This definitely doesn’t mean sacrificing downtime either - make sure to pencil in recreation and self-care as well!
Make the Most of Your Precious Time
Once you get the hang of using the time log, structuring your day in this way will come naturally to you. It may take a couple more minutes on the front end than your tried-and-true to-do list method, but it will ultimately save you way more time in the long run.
If you hurry through life, you may miss it. With this essential feature of the Polymath Planner, you’ll end an excruciating pattern of racing the clock to start embracing the ample time you already have.
