This is not a post with my best productivity and time management hacks. Those things are important (I talk about great daily habits here and tips for weekly planning here), but the focus of this post is to share things to keep mind when planning your days. Knowing yourself, how, and when you do your best work will help you have better days. These are the best tips for planning your day!
If you’ve ever thought to yourself, how do I plan the perfect day? How do plan days that are productive while also guarding against burnout and overwhelm? Keep these three things in mind:
Know your capacity.
Know your energy.
Don’t be ashamed to nap.
I had a lightbulb moment the other day and I wrote down this note to myself. These are the most important things to keep in mind when planning your day. As the kids head back to school and we stare down an unknown fall with this pandemic, we can add better structure to our days. Learn how to plan your days now so you don’t get completely overwhelmed by mid-September!
Know your capacity.
My capacity is three appointments a day. Whether it’s phone calls, meetings, or errands, I can’t book much more than that in a day. I love that our Week on One Page planner allows me the perfect amount of space to schedule my days. It’s a great boundary that doesn’t overwhelm my days! Emails and to-do will still have to get done, but I limit my number of meetings. Know your capacity or you’ll end up running around like a chicken with its head cut off!
Know your energy.
Afternoons are tough for me. The brain fog sets in and I start to lose energy big time in the afternoon. That’s ok! Know your energy and you’ll know when and how to schedule your days. Morning meetings, where decisions and progress have to be made, are a great way for me to capitalize on my higher energy. With our kids back in school, there are certain blocks of time where I can schedule focused energy. We get up early, get the kids off to school, then I get to work!
Don’t be ashamed to nap.
I love naps! Can we bring back the afternoon nap? Why are naps not perfectly, socially acceptable for adults? I know my limits. I know my capacity and my energy. As I’ve already noted, afternoons are tough. After hours of making decisions and working hard — on the planner business, our home remodel, my clients, and writing my first book! — I’m tired. Grabbing a nap (sometimes 20 minutes, sometimes longer) is life-giving. I wake up refreshed and ready to work for another few hours or spend some time with the family. Do NOT be ashamed to nap.
Know your capacity. Know your energy. Don’t be ashamed to nap. That’s it! That’s how to plan your day — a day that’s productive and includes a nap!
Are you a napper or is that a no-no for your daily energy? What’s an indulgence that makes your day better? Share below!
I have avoided naps like the plague as an adult! I think I saw it as a waste of time or missing out. However, in recent months, I’ve come to love an indulgent nap, especially on a Sunday afternoon. I work in a corporate office (back in the office since May 18th), so napping during the workday doesn’t happen for me, and Saturdays are always full of errands and have-tos. But that leaves the wonderful treat of a Sunday afternoon nap. So restorative!
The guidance to plan your day with your capacity and energy in mind is perfect! I’m working on being honest about my limitations, and then doing my best to be intentional during my maximum energy hours. I’m also planning ahead for my afternoons, which are my struggle area too. I have an energy drink and take a quick walk around the building if I’m feeling sluggish or sleepy.
Thanks for the great post!