How to plan a more productive day in 5 easy steps

How to Plan a More Productive Day: 5 Easy to Follow Steps

I think we can all agree that some days we feel like we kill it. We are on fire! Then, there are the “other days.” The days we’re climbing into bed at night wondering, “what the hell did I do today?”. In just 5 easy to follow steps, I can show you how to plan a more productive day. So, you can have more of those “on fire” days. As opposed to the “other days.”

I was always searching for that feeling of accomplishment. You know what I’m talking about. Those days where you feel you found the golden egg, the extra 4 hours in a day. Then, we walk away, asking ourselves, “I killed it today, but how did I do it? How did I manage to get all that done in one day?”

Isn’t it funny how we really aren’t sure how it happened when we finish those days? I mean, it was just another day. Yet, the are all those “other days.” The days I felt I’d been so busy, yet nothing really “got done.”

Then, I figured it out.

It was the focus and intention some days had vs. the others. You see, those days I had a full game plan, a target, a mission. I killed those days. The other days I was just going with the flow. So, I started being intentional with each day. Setting out with a full plan of action and guess what. I started having more days where I felt accomplished.

I want you to feel accomplished in your days also. So, I want to share the 5 steps I use to plan a more productive day with you. Seriously, you can do this in as little as 10 minutes, and you’ll get hours back in your day.

Are you always busy, yet nothing ever seems to get done? Taking 10 minutes to plan your day with these 5 easy steps can save you hours of frustration and stress.

Does the thought of everything you need to do in a day keep you stressed?

Do you wonder how so many others stay focused and get everything done?

If either of these sounds like you, try planning out your day. In just 5 easy steps, you learn exactly how to plan your day to be more productive and less stressed. You’ll actually get the things done and know what direction to go next.

5 Easy to Follow Steps to plan a more productive day

Are you always busy but never seem to get anything done? Try taking 10 minutes to plan your day with these 5 easy-to-follow steps.

How to Plan a More Productive Day in 5 Easy to Follow Steps

What I’ve found over time is that when I plan each day with intention and purpose, I feel more productive.

But, not only do I feel more productive, but I am more productive. I actually get more done. You see, having a plan keeps you focused on what’s important for that day.

First off, you’ll need a system to plan your day. I personally use an app on my phone called Todoist and my Google Calendar, but you can use any app, calendar, or a simple paper planner that works best for you. Try to keep it as simple and stress-free as possible when you’re just getting started.

So, if you’re ready, let’s do this!

Analyze Your Day

First, you want to take a look at your calendar and determine if you have anything scheduled for the day. You’re looking for any appointments and prior commitments.

Make Your To-Do-List and Prioritize It

Make Your List

Next, make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish for the day. Obviously, your appointments and commitments are important. But, if they’re not and you feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to cancel some things.

We tend to say ‘yes’ to far too many things. Even the things that don’t actually serve us or bring us joy. If this is the case and these ‘yes’ commitments keep you from doing the things you really need to do, considering canceling them. It’s okay to say ‘no.’ It’s actually very liberating. So much so that I wrote an entire post on how and when to say ‘no.’

So what is your most important thing today? What is the one thing that would make you feel like you really killed it today? Mark it #1 on your list. Then look at your calendar and plan a time to make it happen. Typically, the earlier you can do this, the better.

Break Bigger Tasks Into Smaller Ones

Now, if your #1 task is a big task, like cleaning out the attic, stop and break that down into smaller tasks. Unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can accomplish this in one day, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Once you’ve broken it down, decide how many of the smaller steps you can get done in your allotted time and then roll with it.

Setting and completing these smaller goals will leave you feeling accomplished instead of defeated at the end of the day. Trust me. I’ve been the Queen of feeling defeated many times, even after I had a killer day.

Repeat

Repeat this for the next 2 most important things on your list. That’s it! Don’t plan anymore. You can always come back to your list and choose another task to work on. But, being over-ambitious can set you up for failure and leave you feeling overwhelmed and defeated. Remember, we’re trying to avoid all those feelings. So, stick with me and keep it as simple as possible.

Execute / Make it Happen

I know how hard this step can actually be. My best advice is to just start. Set a timer or alarm on your phone and have at it. Turn on some music, listen to your favorite audiobook or podcast, and just start making things happen. If you finish ahead of time, reward yourself with a break. Evaluate where you are and what’s next. Then, keep moving forward.

Stay Focused

If you’re anything like me, you’re easily distracted. There’s no doubt that if I’m not intentional, I’ll be off in the fields “chasing butterflies.” All of the sudden, I’m doing this and that. You know, pretty much everything except what I actually need to be doing.

This is where your to-do list comes in. Refer back to it over and over again.

If something else comes up, it’s okay. Stop. Write it down and re-evaluate your list. What is most important? Did your priorities for the day change? It happens. Make adjustments if needed, and keep moving forward.

Evaluate

Life happens. Things will come up. It’s going to be okay. Taking the time to stop and collect yourself is sometimes what it takes to keep us from chasing a rabbit down a hole. Let me assure you I have chased every rabbit out there before.

Stopping to evaluate where you are multiple times during the day will ensure you’re staying on track and focused.

If you see that you’re not on track, make adjustments. Maybe you need to focus harder, put down your phone or even move somethings to another day.

It’s going to be okay regardless. Just keep moving forward. I’ve gone into the evening before feeling defeated but, because I kept moving forward, I finished everything I needed to do. Your future self will thank you.

So what’s next?

That’s it! You now know how to plan a more productive day.

Try it for a week. Take 10 minutes each morning to write down your to-do list and decide what’s most important. Stay focused, and you will be able to accomplish so much more. You’ll be less stressed and overwhelmed. You might even find that you have more time for the things love.

Remember, no one is perfect. We all have days where we want to chase butterflies and rabbits. It’s going to happen. On those days, you may need to stop and evaluate more. Take time to really decide what’s most important. Will you be content at the end of the day?

A dear friend of mine once made this reference, “Is future-self going to be happy with present-self?”

At that moment, I don’t think she realized the impact those words would have on my life. How it’s still the one thing, I turn to every day when I don’t feel like doing something.

But, take a moment and really think about that statement. “Is future-self going to be happy with present-self?”

Whenever I’m struggling with what I want to do vs. what I need to do, I stop and ask myself, “will future-self be happy with present-self?”. Try it. You might be surprised at how impactful asking yourself that question really is.

My Hope For You

I hope after going thru the 5-steps to plan a more productive day, you’re able to do just that, be more productive.

We all want that feeling of accomplishment at the end of our day. The feeling you get when you lay your head down at night and say, “I kicked ass today!”

I love that feeling, and I want you to feel it too!

We all get off course. It’s going to happen. Life will get in your way. Know this now and have a plan to get back on track.

It’s all about how we approach it, how we let it affect us.

I know you have it in you to own your day! You’ve so got this!

I’d love to hear from you

You can always drop me a comment below or email me. Let me know what you’ve been able to accomplish with the 5 steps to a more productive day. Do you have questions or suggestions?

If you found this post helpful, please share it on social media with your friends or anyone else you think might benefit from it. I appreciate you.

Now, go out there and kick this day’s ass! You’ve got it!