Understandably, you want your working days to be productive and satisfying. That’s why it’s so crucial that you plan how you want your working days to look. You need to be creating the perfect work schedule for you.
Often though, it’s easier to follow a schedule that’s already created for you, whether it’s following one your mentor uses or sticking with the traditional working timetable. But in doing that, you’re missing a crucial piece of the happiness and effectiveness puzzle – your work schedule has to suit you and your needs.
The perfect work schedule isn’t something you can buy ready-made. You need to set aside some time to really establish what you want from it and how it looks throughout your working day or week. And here are the steps you need to take to create your perfect work schedule.
#1: Know your basics
Start by knowing the basics behind your schedule. This includes the days and times you want to work, and how long you want for lunch and breaks. Don’t just think about sticking with a traditional schedule, either. Decide if you’re going to work outside of the conventional 9-5, Monday to Friday scenario.
#2: Make that first 30 minutes count
Make your first slot of the day one that counts. Pick a task that will help you feel that you’re off to a good start – such as checking and responding to emails, engaging on social media or responding to sales leads etc. And try to make this slot a daily repeating one too, so it sets you up in the right headspace for starting your day and to help you be consciously productive with your time.
#3: Schedule in time for family and home
Life and business don’t exist in isolation, and they shouldn’t in your schedule either. If family time is non-negotiable for you, slot it in. If you need to get house chores completed so you can concentrate for the rest of your day, schedule that in too. It’s your time and your rules.
#4: Schedule time for yourself
Personal time is something that is often forgotten when creating the perfect work schedule for you. So factor this into yours. Set aside time to do the things you love, learn and expand your knowledge, move around and exercise, or simply have a designated undisturbed reading slot. This time is vital for your mental and physical wellbeing, so slot it in.
#5: Leave yourself breathing room
If you want to reduce overwhelm during your working day, factor in a bit of wiggle room into your schedule. Don’t plan things too tightly, or you’re going to feel rushed and stressed. Give yourself plenty of breaks and space to think, journal, or stretch your legs and get outside.
#6: Use a digital calendar
When creating the perfect work schedule for you, make sure you’re creating it in a digital format. That way, you can sync it to all your devices, quickly move things around and can check it on your phone when you’re out and about.
#7: Have an end of day ritual
The last time slot of the day is equally as important as the first. Use the last 30 minutes to set yourself up ready for tomorrow and help switch off at the end of your day. Use this time to wind down, plan out your action steps for tomorrow, and clear and tidy your desk. That way, you’ll be ready to start tomorrow focused and productive.
Outsourcing needs to be a part of the perfect work schedule for you
Creating the ideal work schedule for you isn’t just about allocating the available time slots in your day. It’s also about being smarter with your working practices and creating the lifestyle that suits you. That’s why outsourcing needs to be a part of your plan.
Outsourcing isn’t just about getting tasks done; it’s also about freeing up your time so you can work on your business rather than in it. It enables you to spend time doing the things you love, and it frees you up to have more time with your family. Because ultimately, that’s probably why you’re looking to create the perfect work schedule for you in the first place.
If you need a little help getting started with outsourcing, check out How does outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant work? And if you’d like to identify what you can outsource, check out our new free download: How to identify what you can outsource in under 30 minutes.