How to organize your day in 15 minutes

In the previous post I mentioned that I designed my own  daily planner, based on several that I saw on the internet and adding a page for journal and daily reflections.

Many people asked me lots of questions about the planner and they asked me.

As it my serves me and sincerely hope it can serve others, I put it to download completely free from HERE.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of downloads and good reviews, and also noticed that left several questions about how best to use the planner.

When designing it, I decided to divide it in half hour blocks, in general, I feel that working in small blocks get better results. I follow some guidelines for a time management technique called «Pomodoro» (you can google it, it’s simple and it works), basically consist in work on one task for 25 minutes and take 5 minutes of rest between blocks . After several blocks, I take a longer break (15-30 minutes).

In each line is a small box with a tick, I use it to check off what I’m finishing. Another technique is to use a highlighter. I prefer not directly cross out completed tasks to read well by the end of the day what it was that I could finish.

I use the box «inspiration» to write a phrase, quote or just a word in which I want to focus every day. I usually use this space to write my «Core Desire Feelings» (this I learned from the book The Desire Map of Danielle LaPorte) . Having a phrase or a word to inspire me every day helps me stay focused and motivated.

I find it very easy for me to procrastinate, take my time and energy on activities that really are not going to approach the realization of my goals. Therefore, before making my daily schedule, I write my list of priorities. Make the effort to maintain my bounded priorities, I think the ideal is to have no more than 3 per day, but as sometimes need to do more important tasks, I designed this box with 5 locations.

In the «Notes» section and «Remember«, I write birthday reminders, calls that I have to do, things that need to take my kids to the kindergarden, etc. Chances are if I see it in paper, I actually remember DO that, almost certainly, if it is not written I forgot.

And as I think selfcare is critical, but I sometimes don’t take properly care of myself, so … I added the section of the water glasses (that many people seemed funny) and I write what kind of workout I want to do that day (so far, it is the most difficult task to accomplish!) .

The vast majority of the questions I got were on the second page. The main objective is to have a space to reflect.

A technique that helps me to «let go» and improve my writing is MP (morning pages), it is taking a few minutes to start the day and write freely. Whatever it is, unfiltered, uncensored. The first few times I stared at the blank page (as I was going to start to start writing on my site), so I decided to start every day with those questions. Gradually, not only he could answer that, but still writing and ideas began to flow more freely, while I started to feel much more comfortable with the process.

This is a place where so conscious we can begin to think about how we want our day and assess progress and lessons we left the day before.

The part I enjoy most and helps keep me motivated, are the last two questions: what I learned today and what I appreciate.

With a little practice, the entire planning process takes less than 15 minutes! you dare to try?

I love getting feedback on how I can improve planner! And I think it might be a good idea to assembling different versions.

I invite you to download the planner and do the test.

And let me know what changes you would like to do.

As always, thank you very much for reading!

PD: I’m not a native english speaker (I’m from Argentina), writing and publishing in this language takes me a lot of courage! Please, let me know if there is grammar error or misspelling words, I’m still learning and I’m very grateful for feedback to improve my writing skills in english!