At some point in our life, we may have had too many things to do and very little time for them. This may make us feel uncomfortable, and we may end up procrastinating further. Whereas if we have a systematic plan in place, we can effectively manage our tasks.
I have always been a person who values time, hence I understand the significance of planning our day to make the most out of it. Having a daily routine in place and following through with it can be immensely satisfying. It gives a structure to our day and boosts our confidence level.
Based on my personal experience, I would like to share some tips that have worked for me and may help you in planning your daily routine as well.
- Having a fixed time for sleeping
If we sleep and wake up at a fixed time, our bodies get used to that sleep pattern and wake up well-rested.
- Starting the day with a consistent routine
Those of us who have to go to school, college or work, find it manageable to have a consistent routine in the morning. But if that’s not the case, it’s best to start your day with a fixed task so that it’s easy to plan a routine. I like to start my day by exercising as it helps me follow a routine with ease. If I’m unable to start my day with a fixed activity, I end up wasting time without realizing it. So it’s best to follow a morning routine and start your day in action mode.
- Prioritizing important tasks
Whether you are a student, professional or a homemaker, everyone has a variety of tasks that they need to do, some of which are more significant than others. Once we get going with our day, we tend to miss out on some of these paramount tasks due to lack of time or poor planning. So, to ensure that I’m prioritizing these tasks, I like to maintain a weekly planner in which I jot these down and keep adding to them as the week progresses. I also like to maintain a daily To-Do-List which is more specific to each day and keeps me on track.
- Keep some free time for unanticipated tasks
We all know how unforeseen life can be! Whether it is a sudden competition, event, or a medical emergency. Some things are simply unavoidable and urgent, so it’s best to have a flexible routine in case something urgent needs to be factored in. When making my daily routine, I keep various tasks which can be rescheduled if required like watching a show, visiting friends or shopping.
- Use post-it notes or write notes on your phone for any random recalls
At times we trust our memories, only to forget something a few minutes later and question ourselves “What was it that I had to do?”. Once you write these spontaneous recalls, you can integrate them into your planner or To-Do-List.
- Lastly, loop in some time for yourself
I strongly believe in the powerful words of Katie Reed, a mental health activist, “self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you.” So do what sparks joy in you, even if it is for 10 minutes. Add it to your planner so that you don’t skip it.
Consistency is the key to anything we do, so, to get into a habit of following an effective routine. Do it every day without fail, and it will come to you effortlessly and naturally before you even realize it.
I would love to hear what you do to make your day systematic and organized!
My earnest gratitude to GoogleWebStories Saxena for inviting me to write on her blog and share my views and experience with you.
Shreya Kumar
Psychologist
Image Source: Canva
