Time is a resource.

Time. We only have so much of it. Use it wisely. It is so easy to waste time, to not realize how you are using it, and to overestimate how much time you have. It can be stressful and frustrating. I definitely feel like that sometimes, so I'm going to share with you some simple and effective tips strategies I've found to stop stressing and get things done in the most efficient manner possible! No, I don't think that this way is perfect, and it might not be up your alley, but just try some of these things and you might be surprised. Remember, when you have a bunch of things in your head that need to be done it is a stressor. Your brain is working hard to remember all those little things and it is inevitable that you will forget some of them if you don't write them down. So write it down! Just the act of doing so will decrease your stress.

I keep both a planner and a piece of paper with me every day. My planner is where I write standing appointments (like classes and work) and events in the future (like a dentist appointment or physics exam).

However, for my day-to-day stuff I simply use a piece of paper. Begin by folding the paper in thirds. The top third will be your current day and the bottom third will be for tomorrow. On the left side are “scheduled” events and on the left are events that don’t have a time (feel free to assign a time to them if you’d like). The middle third will be a list of things that need to be done in the near future but aren’t immediate. As you go through the day, you will add to the list as you discover something new to be done. Confused? Probably. So I will just take you step by step.

Planner-- scheduled events such as classes, exams, doctor appointments. If you are not a student, this will be modified to whatever consumes your time.

 

 

 

 

Paper-- Includes everything that must be done that day. Every morning, I spend five minutes transferring scheduled events from my planner to my piece of paper. I decide what must be done that day and write it on the right hand side. Sometimes, I will even set aside a time for an important to-do (such as from 2-2:45- study Kins 155A notes). As you go through the day, add to the middle section as things come up. Write it down immediately so your brain does have to think about it anymore.

 

 

 

Hope you enjoy and find this helpful! Let me know if you have any questions.  If you aren't a student like me, you will obviously have to make adjustments. 

 

Joyfully yours,

Danielle

 

P.S. Sorry for the lack of posts last week... I had this post all written on Thursday but was having technical difficulties with the pics! It's hard being bloggy when you aren't good with technology :-)