PLANNING 101
A student tested guide to planning your shit
Yes, I’m back after months of absence. I’ve been horribly busy this summer, I started my internship, had to do some certifications and even started working as a freelance marketer aside from that. So, you can just imagine how many things I’ve gotta do. And I have to say what truly saved me, is planning properly. So these are the best practices I’ve learned that have saved me from going crazy. This method consists of 3 stages: Overview, Planning, Reviewing. In the end, I will also list some good practices that can help you plan better.
Overview Stage
For this first stage, I rec you to grab a piece of paper and just jot down these things. Don’t write them directly on your calendar, with the exception of deadlines.
1. List your deadlines first. Starting with the deadlines is the easiest given the fact these are likely not to change dates. Include here things like presentations, exams, meetings. Also, do yourself a favour and list the expiration date of legal documents like ID, passport, license and such because most of us don’t do that and realise too late when its already expired.
2. List your required tasks and the time it takes to finish. These are mundane things like cleaning, cooking, and other chores you usually do on a daily or weekly basis. Also, write down how much time you spend doing these things and when you usually do them.
3. List things you do in your free time. This one is pretty straightforward: going out with friends, watching a movie or series, reading and whatever else you like to do in your free time.
Planning Stage
1. Analyse. This is the most crucial part of the entire process so you have to pay close attention here. Deadlines are our number 1 priorities, and likely the ones to give us more stress. So we want to start with those first. Ask yourself questions like how long it will take you to complete a certain project? How hard will it be to complete this before the deadline? Is it time-consuming? Is it a group or individual project? If it’s a group project, keep in mind you should leave some time open for meetings and such. Talk to your teammates if you are going to meet, if so when and where.
2. Set weekly goals.
Shit might happen and you may not complete your daily tasks and such. Which is why I prefer setting weekly goals. As the week progress, I schedule my tasks. I don’t like planning specifically every detail for more than 2 days, as shit might happen today or tomorrow or maybe I’m in a whole different mood and therefore do schedule my daily tasks in more detail the night before. I’ve noticed it makes me feel less stress and I have better control over what I can do instead of what I want to do in the day.
3. Don’t go nuts on the daily tasks.
We all would like to be productive af, and hustle with all-nighters and all so we can brag about how hard we work but man that ain’t healthy. At least, I know that shit doesn’t work for me at all. I set a maximum of 5 daily tasks. I’ve noticed that if I do more, chances are very high I won’t even finish my daily tasks and will get stressed instead. Take it easy. Don’t rush. Plus it gives me time to do other stuff after if I feel like it or if someone invites me to go out.
Good practices
1. Have everything in one accessible place. I used to have a bullet journal and couple it with a digital calendar. Worst idea ever. Somethings where here the other half was over there. It was truly a mess. Just pick one and stick to it. This way you won’t be losing information and everything, literally, everything can be seen at a glance. I personally prefer using a digital calendar because I always have my phone with me, and it helps me minimize the things I carry.
2. Try to plan ahead and for the worst-case scenario. Yes, you never know when shit may hit the fan so you better be prepared.
3. Reward yourself. There’s no point in working hard if all you’re gonna do is be fucking stress. Chillax. Watch some Netflix and distract yourself. Remember the brain needs some time to process things on its own. Just like you don’t like to be forced and instead end up doing nothing, let your brain work in its own rhythm. Don’t rush.
