Punctual Pursuits

Feeling like a time-traveling procrastinator? Fashionably late to events? Engaging in a deadline dash? Playing hide-and-seek with due dates? This post is for you!

As a young child, and still today, if I am arriving to an event right on time, in my mind I am late. I am a much calmer person if I arrive a few minutes early. And I cannot tell you the stress I feel if I am actually late!

AND let me tell you about deadlines and due dates… I have missed a few when life has been particularly insane, but when life is plugging along, missing a deadline or due date is rare. Does this make me perfect or better than anyone else? Heck no! I am just much calmer on the inside when there is a plan and the plan is executed on time!

I completely understand that life happens and situations will come up that will cause us all to be late or miss a deadline. However, if you are running late to almost every event and constantly missing deadlines and due dates, that tells me you have a planning and execution issue and not a rare schedule-altering event! The good news - I have put together some tips to help you with punctuality.

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TIPS TO HELP WITH PUNCTUALITY...

Create a Schedule

According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, a schedule is a plan for carrying out a process or procedure, giving lists of events and times. Well-planned functions, businesses, various forms of travel, and others all operate on a schedule. The schedule dictates what should be accomplished and when. Our homes and personal lives should be no different.

A schedule can provide structure and organization to your day, helping you manage your time efficiently. It reduces procrastination, ensures tasks are completed, and allows for better prioritization. A well-planned schedule can also contribute to a sense of accomplishment and decreased stress.

Common things to schedule include work or study time, meetings, appointments, exercise and relaxation. Scheduling time for personal tasks such as grocery shopping, and chores is also helpful.

When creating a schedule you must first prioritize tasks. For example, if you have a doctor's appointment that is already scheduled on a particular day - that is a priority. Other tasks will need to be scheduled around that appointment. More about prioritizing later in this blog post.

Consistency is also a large factor in creating effective schedules. Establishing good routines and forming good habits help enhance efficiency. An example of this is a consistent bedtime routine and time. Routines will be discussed later in this blog post.

If you want a schedule that actually works, DO NOT over book your time. Your schedule must be realistic. If you schedule an appointment on one side of town and another event on the other side of town, but only give yourself 5 minutes in between the two, you are unlikely going to be on time for event number 2. You must schedule buffers in between events. When I am booking consultation calls and virtual clients I schedule a buffer in between. You may ask why since I am not travelling in between. The answer... life. I know that I may need to use the restroom, answer a quick message, or just prepare for the next client. By scheduling buffer time in between, I do not begin the next appointment late.

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Time Block

Time blocking is a productivity technique where you allocate specific blocks of time to different tasks or activities throughout your day. Rather than working on tasks as they come up, you plan and organize your schedule by dedicating predetermined time periods for certain activities. For example, I have time blocked my calendar to work on this blog post. That means I have predetermined time set aside to accomplish the tasks of writing.

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Prioritize Tasks

Prioritizing is the only way to get everything accomplished that must be. You must be clear about what you want and what you need to accomplish in a day and prioritize. If you want to hang out at the local brewery and you need to grocery shop then you must prioritize. Prioritizing doesn't always mean that you choose one thing over the other. It may mean choosing to set aside time to get the more important thing accomplished first and the lesser important thing done as time allows.

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Set Alarms and Alerts

Alarms and alerts are life savers for many. We are all familiar with an alarm to wake us in the morning. But have you considered setting an alarm to keep you on schedule or on task. An alarm set to alert you 5 minutes before you need to leave for an appointment can benefit those who get distracted or procrastinate. Alerts to remind you a day before a deadline is coming up can help you stay on track. An alarm to alert you that it is time to switch tasks that you have time blocked can be useful for those who have difficulty staying on track with the scheduled plan.

Create Routines

Ahhhhh, routines! Well established routines have so many benefits - Decision fatigue is reduced; productivity increases; time-management improves; and often a reduction in stress is noted. When there are well-established routines the number of decisions you need to make each day is minimized thus reducing mental fatigue as well as reduces the stress felt that comes from uncertainty. Routines help to promote a sense of control in various aspects of life. If routines are not currently in place or not working for you, it will take time to create and maintain the routine. But once mastered.... so much relief!

Some routines to consider: Morning routine, evening routine, bedtime routine, fitness, end-of-day wrap up.

Think about it: What is your morning routine? Is it consistent from day-to-day or do you wake up and the day begins with stress because you just randomly attempt to get ready, accomplish some tasks, and get out of the door? Is there a sense of lack of control? If so, create the routine you desire. You are in charge of your morning routine. For example, I wake-up and have allotted myself 30 minutes to have coffee, read my Bible, check social media, etc. When that 30 minutes is over, I begin getting dressed for the day. Once dressed, I pack lunch boxes (with items prepared on the weekend). Last, I take the dog out, put him in his play pen, check that doors are locked, turn lights off and leave.

Without a consistent routine my day would begin with frustration, anxiety, and stress.

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Do you want coaching and support with time management?

I offer support in these areas virtually or in person through my Lifestyle Organization Coaching.  Click here, complete the form, and let’s connect to see how I can help you.  Read more about these services here.