The Importance of Creating a Schedule

Filed in archive business tips on January 13, 2010

© Jon Curnow


I have found that working at home can very easily lead to low productivity if you're not careful. You get carried away by little household tasks or meaningless projects. You fall prey to time wasters such as social media or online games.

It's very important to set-up some kind of routine. We crave habits and rituals. Don't get me wrong, I love the spice of spontaneity. But its routine that makes those sporadic days of surprise more enjoyable.

Here are a few tips to help you find that middle ground where you can feel organized and still experience freedom in your schedule:

• Get dressed. This may sound silly but I used to stay in pjs all morning because I had nowhere to be. It completely changes my mindset if I get up, shower and dress like I'm going to a day job. I feel more productive and serious afterward.

• Make a list. Either before bed or first thing in the morning, write down all the things you need to do. Don't worry if the list evolves throughout your day.

• Are there certain things you MUST accomplish every day? Get those done first. If you need coffee in the morning, check your emails, read your RSS feeds, blog… don't get caught up in other things and feel stressed completing these little tasks at the end of the day.

• Pick your top 3 things each day. On top of the little tasks you have to accomplish, take a look at your to-do list. Which things are the most important? Circle them. Aim to complete those as soon as you finish your routine things.

• Don't berate yourself when you can't accomplish these things. If things go wrong, a crisis comes up or the day just gets away from you, that's okay! It happens.

What helps you focus during the day? What do you do to stay on task?