In today’s fast-paced world, juggling multiple tasks can be overwhelming. In fact, research confirms that, instead of boosting productivity, multi-tasking wastes time. Often, we try to squeeze a little bit of everything into each day, leaving us feeling scattered and unproductive. We wonder what we’ve accomplished in the time we set aside to work. If we have lots going on (and who among us doesn’t?) we may be dismayed by our lack of measurable progress. What if, instead, we create boundaries by assigning specific tasks to designated days? This strategy not only helps boost focus but also allows us to fully immerse ourselves in one project at a time. Let me explain the way this strategy works for me.
The Power of Boundaries:
Boundaries aren’t just for relationships or physical space; they can also help structure your time. When you create clear boundaries in your schedule, it can reduce decision fatigue and free up mental space. You know exactly what each day is for, which helps you approach your tasks with clarity.
I understand that it’s not always possible to dictate how to spend the available time you have each day. You may have appointments and, if you work for someone else, they probably have ideas about how you spend your time.
If you have children, you will have time you allocate to doing things with them
What is possible is for you to decide how to spend your flex time. This is where you can create boundaries and take control.
If you are a solo entrepreneur, as I am, you are already in control of your schedule. But just because you are in control doesn’t mean that you allocate your time wisely. Look at this sample weekly schedule. Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean that every waking hour is dedicated to the tasks listed below each day of the week.
A Sample Weekly Schedule:
Create boundaries by crafting a schedule tailored to your needs. This is the key to achieving balance. Here’s how you can break down your week.
Monday: Office and Administrative Work
Start your week by tackling the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep your business or life running smoothly. Focus on billing, invoicing, responding to emails, and writing social media copy. By devoting most of the day to these tasks, you’ll be able to work efficiently without interruption.
If you take some client meetings, schedule them later in the day so these administrative tasks are completed first.
Tuesday: Client-Focused Work
Whether you work with clients virtually or in person, Tuesday can be dedicated to meetings, follow-ups, and project delivery. By setting aside a specific day for this, you can give your clients undivided attention and show up fully prepared.
Wednesday: Volunteer or Passion Projects
Wednesday is the perfect day to give back or dive into a personal passion. Dedicating one day a week to volunteer efforts or creative projects helps you feel more fulfilled and gives you a midweek boost of energy and purpose.
Thursday: Learning and Development
Stay ahead in your field by dedicating time on Thursdays to personal and professional growth. Whether it’s attending webinars, taking online courses, or reading industry-related books, this time is reserved for you to develop new skills.
Friday: Catch Up and Plan Ahead
Friday can be your day to review what you’ve accomplished during the week, tie up any loose ends, and plan for the week ahead. This reflection day helps ensure nothing slips through the cracks and sets you up for success.
As an added bonus, when you tie up the loose ends on Friday you get to spend the weekend resting, relaxing, and having fun.
Benefits of Structuring Your Week:
Improved Focus: By concentrating on one task or area of interest per day, you can dive deeper and produce better results.
Reduced Stress: No more trying to do a little of everything every day; focusing on fewer things makes your workload feel lighter.
Clearer Priorities: Scheduling your time means you know what’s most important, helping you achieve a better balance between work and personal life.
Conclusion:
By assigning specific days to different aspects of your life, you’ll find that you can get more done. This will help you feel less scattered. It’s not about cramming everything into every day, but about creating boundaries that allow you to be productive and more fulfilled.
This is not to say that things won’t get in your way. Sometimes you may feel like switching topics or interests. But when you have a plan in place and know that on this day you will give time to XXX, you may be less inclined to flit between topics.
If you’re interested in talking about how a plan like this may work for you send me an email to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation. You can find me at: dnqsolutions@gmail.com
Diane N. Quintana is the owner of DNQ Solutions, LLC. She is an ADHD Organizing Specialist, a Hoarding Specialist, and a Chronic Disorganization Specialist. Diane is also an ICD Master Trainer, Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, Certified Professional Organizer and co-owner of Release Repurpose Reorganize LLC based in Atlanta, Georgia. She specializes in residential and home-office organizing.
Several of us focused on time management in some form this week.
I like your simple schedule. I do something similar for my work schedule. I only do sales calls on certain days and work with clients on certain days. I try to take personal time on Mondays and Fridays, but I’m not as strict about this. I should be.
Thank you, Janet
This is very much how I like to schedule my week. My AdminMondays are sacrosanct. I will schedule virtual clients on Monday afternoons because those are shorter sessions and can fall after I’ve completed my essential admin, and always make sure to plan out all my personal appointments (doctor, dentist, etc.) on those days so that I know I’ve included self-care in my planning. Ensuring that there are days that I will NEVER schedule in-person clients means that I’ll always have flexibility to take a longer weekend without having to worry about bumping clients or scheduling too far ahead.
I encourage clients not to schedule meetings on Mondays, which are ideal for deep focus; otherwise, it’s too easy to feel stressed and behind on Tuesday mornings. (Plus, Mondays are where legal holidays fall, meaning that too often they’d have to reschedule.)
I think it’s instinctual to bristle at the idea of limits or boundaries, but as soon as you talk about how these are really just like lane markers and parking spaces; by creating these boundaries, we ensure that we won’t feel encroached upon or have to worry about someone else’s plans “denting” us!
You did a great job explaining how and why to structure a week with these kinds of boundaries!
Gosh, thanks Julie!
That would be my ideal weekly schedule. However, I find I schedule clients first and then look at the week and see where the largest blocks of time are and put the largest projects in those slots. I also schedule by deadline. If I have a project with a deadline then it will get the first available slot in the week. I also have clients that cancel and then I usually use that slot for a project that is waiting for a time slot. It sounds like chaos and sometimes it is. My mind can seem to follow the plan and make it work.
If it works for you, Julie, then that’s terrific!
Boundaries are essential in relationships and with time. I like how you offered a unique way of creating boundaries in the week by choosing one overarching activity for each day. While I love that idea in theory, it’s rarely possible for me. Instead, I create varying-sized time blocks in my week to attend to different things. For example, there are blocks dedicated to client work, office management, marketing blocks, volunteer work, learning, professional groups, meetings, writing, household management, socializing, relaxing, or having fun.
For my own sanity, I prefer to have only a few different types of blocks on the same day. One of my favorite days is when I have a significant time block to deep-dive into a category. I love to hyperfocus. This is especially effective when writing, developing a new workshop, or preparing for the holidays (like Thanksgiving.)
I think that knowing what works for you is the best. Developing a system that lets you make progress and feel satisfied in a variety of areas is key to feeling in control. I’m happy you have done that, Linda!
Love this! I’ve just actually made this type of schedule for my work time and am considering doing something similar for my personal life. I believe it will help me allocate my time more wisely and ensure that some of the lower priority, yet important, tasks don’t get overlooked.
Thank you, Janet!
I love this idea of allocating certain types of work to certain days. This rhythm reduces the stress of “what should I do today?” which can be so present. I use this for some of my household chores: sheets on Monday, towels on Wednesday, trash on Thursdays, etc.
I think the hard part can be that even when we are working our plan, we still aren’t completing our tasks. There is just too much. That can push me to try and multi-task, which as you say, can backfire. It’s tough when there are interruptions as well. Thinking of so many people inconvenienced (and worse) by Hurricane Helene.
Some days, life just feels hard. Nevertheless, it is during these hard times that systems and routines actually can help the most, so they are good no matter what!
I know. Sometimes other things just get in the way – interrupt – what may be a good working plan. Then, we have to roll with it and somehow find our way back to a new normal and routine.