{"id":4800,"date":"2021-03-03T08:31:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T08:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/?p=4800"},"modified":"2021-09-19T15:02:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-19T15:02:42","slug":"preparing-for-tomorrow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomsoup.com\/preparing-for-tomorrow\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for Tomorrow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I wake up without an alarm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feel lethargic and tired. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pick up my phone, open Twitter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doom-scroll through image-crafting snippets of life advice, benign wisdom and appeals to buy 20 dollar eBooks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, haul myself out of bed for my morning ablutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get to the office, open the laptop and dither online, reading emails and vacuous news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start work, but question my priorities – what’s on the agenda today – what’s important – any deadlines?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Time management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sound familiar? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is how many of us live; one moment to the next, with no idea what we’re doing next, what’s important or even what we’re working towards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve traditionally been a terrible planner, so have recently attempted to mend my ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering the importance of planning for personal and professional competence, it’s surprising that many of us have no idea how to operate efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In our defence – time management and personal productivity<\/a> are seldom taught in school. Yet they arguably underpin any successful endeavour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I place more attention on time management and daily planning, I arguably experience increased output and personal satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although the literature regarding the efficacy of time management techniques is mixed, the subjective sense of autonomy and control pays dividends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of time management involved in any process – a static overarching productivity framework, followed by small daily disciplines in preparing for tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Daily planning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An overarching, ideally unchanging framework is essential so to cultivate habits and routines<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life planning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What are you working towards? When we’re unsure of our overarching aims, it’s easy to become directionless. Life planning<\/a> is the foundation of the process. If our primary goal<\/a> is to write a novel, daily writing time must be budgeted. Likewise for any other goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scheduling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Document each activity in your diary and assign set start and end times. Setting a fixed daily wake up time allows you to stick to your predetermined slots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prioritisation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Schedule your main key performance indicator first thing every morning. My morning routine<\/a> prioritises writing as my first activity after waking, when my energy and creativity are highest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for tomorrow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you have a static productivity system, it still requires ongoing daily maintenance, which is where many people trip and stumble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The primary problem with last-minute preparation is time lost to excessive decision making<\/a>, rather than conscious, premeditated action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, the best plans start before they’re needed – in our case, the day before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preparing for tomorrow means distilling your framework into its composite activities and organising the exact actions needed ahead of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a step that pays off in everything from personal projects to professional activities and even eating habits (think meal preparation.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As an example, I know from my productivity process that writing is scheduled after waking. But what article will I write?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initial confusion results in wasted creative time merely picking a good topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, proper preparation the previous day allows an immediate start and increased output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From my framework, I know what time my working day is scheduled to start. However, that knowledge means nothing without a more detailed plan of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are infinite daily to-do’s that might demand attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just before the close of play, list the three most important activities to perform the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, try to complete these tasks first thing before you’re derailed by competing distractions like email and meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
  • Is your workout gear washed and ready to go?<\/li>
  • Is your exercise watch charged?<\/li>
  • Do you know what workout you’re doing the next day – weights or cardio?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Eliminate decision time by sticking to your plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cIt is not that we have so little time but that we lose so much. \u2026 The life we receive is not short but we make it so; we are not ill provided but use what we have wastefully.\u201d \u2015 Lucius Annaeus Seneca<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many people spend significant time pondering their productivity frameworks, but neglect the daily work required to keep them well-oiled and functioning smoothly – myself included!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Taking time the day before and preparing for tomorrow is a small investment – one that readies us both physically and psychologically for our high leverage habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Reflect on your routine, analyse where improvement is required and create a daily plan of action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    I wake up without an alarm. Feel lethargic and tired. <\/p>\n

    Pick up my phone, open Twitter. <\/p>\n

    Doom-scroll through image-crafting snippets of life advice, benign wisdom and appeals to buy 20 dollar eBooks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4801,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nPreparing for Tomorrow | Bloomsoup<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Do you feel disorganised and unproductive? Preparing for tomorrow allows us to pause our hectic lives and regain control. 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