How many of you use a schedule to get work done?

[garyv]

Often times during the day, I find myself getting onto this forum, and before I know it, half of the day is gone.

Today I'm going to set up a strict schedule and try to stick to it. I'll usually try this tactic about once every few months, but it usually only lasts for a week or two.

Do you keep a schedule? And if so, do you use any software as an aide? Also - how long have you been using a schedule?

[Bryan Zimmerman]

It wasn't until I got on an actual written down schedule that I started to make consistant money. I've been using it for a few months now and is the best way IMO to keep yourself on target.

I have everything written down exactly what I need to get done for the day. There are a few blank spaces here and there as I still have to deal with the soul sucking day job, but as long as I get whats on the list done before the day is over then the day has been productive.

[jayden.fellze]

Everyday, I make a schedule on what should be done, but due to work overload, I sometimes can't finish all my work. I feel very tired everyday. but somehow I manage to keep it up. I work from Mondays to Fridays, on weekends I really try my best not to open my computer, check my emails or do extra stuff so that I could charge myself to another week long of work.

[Andyhenry]

I have a piece of software I had written for managing all of my projects, but I don't use it to stick to timelines for my own work - I just do things when I feel like it. If I never feel like it - I get someone else to do it.

[Rod Cortez]

I definitely have a schedule and I keep it about 80-85% of the time (hey, things come up). I use a combination of my cell phone, my e-mail calender, and my white board; been using it now for about 3 years (consistently).

I have found that using a schedule helps me stay focused and less distracted; it's also part of my over all business and financial planning where I can get into then nitty gritty details. For example, I'm working on two massive projects right now and I have fleshed out what needs to be done over the course of a few months, then I narrow it down what needs to get done weekly, and each night I plan out the next day with more detail (takes me 2-5 minutes tops). And I adjust accordingly.

It's made all the difference in the world to my bottom line.

RoD

[dearaewi]

I use a loose schedule and a "to do" list both to get things done and to keep myself organized. There are so many tasks, especially little ones, that could get lost if I didn't write them down. I try to make sure I get up at a certain time because I know I am most productive early in the day, take my break mid-day and then back at it in the evenings.

Without following some kind of schedule, it's too easy to let things slip and not get done. If you really want to be successful working online, you have to look at it as a real job, not a hobby or something you can just do whenever. If you're not serious, you'll never have success.

Deanna

[Fabian Tan]

I ALWAYS work with a schedule. Sometimes I deviate from it a little, but at least the schedule keeps me guilty and gets me working.

I use several lists:

1. A simple to-do list with two columns (20% activities 80% activities) following the Pareto principle.

2. A daily time table

2. A list on RememberTheMilk.com where I can easily prioritize the list using numbers (1, 2, 3) in order of importance.

3. A to-do list and time table on my Blackberry when I'm on the go.

Fabian

[alpalino]

I do have a schedule and try to stick to it. At least at the end of the day I can see what I've done. If I have anytime left within that schedule, I read forums.

[Devon Brown]

When you all talk about scheduling, are you talking about blocking certain times of the day for certain activities, or just making a to-do list and knocking them out on the day but in no particular time?

I was reading the other day about Autofocus and was thinking of trying that out. It's so funny with all these Time Management widgets, systems, etc.. that people are losing time trying to save time.

[artwebster]

I definitely work with a schedule. Unfortunately my body doesn't respect it so, at the moment, I am up to September 15th 2006.

Don't you just love it when a plan falls apart?

And NO - I am not joking!

[keithaul]

Hi Everyone,

Here's a great quote - “Planning is bringing the future into the present
so you can do something about it now.” Alan Lakein

With the above being said, we must learn to plan our days in advance to be more productive and to stay focused on our purpose.

did you know that if you take only about 10 minutes a day to plan will save you about 2 hours in wasted time through out your day?

So what I do is that I work with a list. I generally make this list the night before/at the end of the work day. When you do this your subconscious mind works on the list all night long while you sleep and often time you may wake up with great ideas that can get your job done faster and better.

If you don't finish the list then carry those items over to the next day, but continue to add to the list. As you complete each item through out the day, check them off. This will give you a visual picture of your accomplishments. In the process, this will generate feelings of success and raises your self-esteem

After making the list, then prioritize them by what is the most important and then by sequence. Look ahead and see the end in mind.

No mater what you use as a scheduling mechanism(software, pad/pen, etc.) , it's only as effective as what you put into it and apply it daily and consistently.

[Hamida Harland]

I wouldn't get a thing done without a schedule - I could spend entire days in forums, reading ebooks, on Youtube and all the rest if I didn't have one. Mine is pretty strict (I plan my day half hour by half hour) and of course I have a weekly, monthly and yearly plan as well although I keep my long term plans quite flexible.

[TimGross]

I'd respond to this post, but it's not on my schedule.

[garyv]

Great responses everyone! I always get more stuff done when I use a schedule. I just don't know why it's so hard for me to continue to use one. It's kind of like those yearly "resolutions" - only I'll start up my schedule every few months. Then after a week or so, I'm back into my routine of doing what I want when I want. And usually my unscheduled activities are much less productive than when I'm using a schedule.

Maybe I need to do like Hamida said, and add some long term plans to my schedule. Maybe this will keep me on task. I'm going to give it a go and see how long I stay on a schedule.

Any other tips out there for staying on task? (These are great so far!)

[Shannon Herod]

I just started using schedules and man am I getting so much more work done. Actually, I'm scheduled to be doing for marketing right now :-)

Anyway, I just picked up a new tool that is really awesome. It's called The Action Machine it is here where form as a WSO if you do a search term sure you'll find it.

This software is absolutely amazing. I write out my schedule and then add timers to each task. It has made me very productive.

Regards,

Shannon Herod

[Megas]

I always start the day with a schdule of what needs to be done.
I don't always get it all done but it helps to stay focused.

[dwt]

I don't usually follow a timed schedule. I AM a compulsive list maker though. It seems to work better for me. At the end of the week I take my lists and combine them into one. Whatever didn't get done the week before moves to the top of the list and it starts all over again. I tend to get a lot done this way.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Shannon Herod

I just started using schedules and man am I getting so much more work done. Actually, I'm scheduled to be doing for marketing right now :-)

Anyway, I just picked up a new tool that is really awesome. It's called The Action Machine it is here where form as a WSO if you do a search term sure you'll find it.

This software is absolutely amazing. I write out my schedule and then add timers to each task. It has made me very productive.

Regards,

Shannon Herod

Thanks Shannon - This tool looks very useful, and I'll give it a try. Here's the link for others:
http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...eo-inside.html

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by TimGross

I'd respond to this post, but it's not on my schedule.

There's a valid point. Scheduling can be overdone to death.
I do schedule work, but much of my schedule is "whatever" time so I can fit in anything unexpected without it putting me behind. Getting behind enough can cause some major stress. I don't want to get stressed like that just because it was an awesome day and that walk with the dog took three hours instead of one or an article takes more research than expected.

[Charlie Parker]

I use the simpleology.com web cockpit.

Not everyday but I should use it everyday. The days when I do use it I get about 5 times the amount of work done. If you've never tried it I highly recommend it.

Its not so much a schedule, you just set goals and then every morning brain dump what you can do to get you closer to them, then it helps you get through your list of what needs to be done.

Sorry if this sounds like an ad, but simpleology is free and I get nothing for you joining. Its just helped me be so much more productive since I started using it.

[aboutalhah]

A schedule for me (pretty simple stuff, one task per day), and another for my VAs.

Franck

[xlfutur1]

Try the action machine .com by derek Franklin. he just released version 2 and its awesome. it will keep you on task, and it has full reporting capability now.

[Cackle]

I'm always struggling with multi-tasking and the hours zipping by. I don't understand anyone who can really live the 4 hour work week!

[Steven Wagenheim]

I make a daily schedule and have been doing so for over 6 years now.

Eventually, if you do it enough, it becomes habit.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by Steven Wagenheim

I make a daily schedule and have been doing so for over 6 years now.

Eventually, if you do it enough, it becomes habit.

I hope you're right. I could use a good habit for once.

[paulwaltz]

If I'm on a very pressing project I schedules things, otherwise I just make sure it gets done.

[thedeacon]

Failing to plan is planning to fail. I set a schedule every day, albeit a loose schedule to leave room in it for the inevitable things that always seem to pop up.

[garyv]

One thing that I've noticed in my dozen years of internet marketing, is that it takes some focus to continue to make money. No matter how automated your system is - (and I have some systems that are completely automated) - there are still elements of the internet that are somewhat out of your control. So it takes focus to keep your systems going. The stricter your focus, the more money you can make. I relate it to the guy you see at the circus spinning the plates on a stick. The more focused you are, the more plates you can get going.

I'm hoping that a good schedule will help me to spin more plates.

YouTube - PLATE SPINNING SPINNER JONGLEUR...

[rickjh]

I've tried many times to stick to a tight schedule. But reality always intrudes.

[markcarraway]

I use whatever means necessary to keep myself focused and on track, including, bit not limited to:

Outlook Reminders
Post It Notes
Writing on my hand....

Yet somehow, all at once I look up and I am playing on twitter!

[epicbob]

No, I don't use a schedule. Since I am just getting started and trying to learn how to make money in this business (I am old and slow), I spend all of my free time working and learning.
Except of course when my teenagers need a taxi driver.

[yesacpow]

I used it sometimes but I hardly ever get everything on it done.

[anomaly]

i've just come across some paid time off, giving me a chance to focus on this "full time" for a bit ...

i'm finding that i definitely have to get myself into a routine ... also, i think it's important to switch off the distractions during your most productive parts of the day - you should have some idea of when these occurr ... yes, no forums, no twitter, pretend like it was a school exam and work hard

[shane_k]

I am a huge fan of GTD (Getting Things Done) By David Allen.

So that is the strategy that I follow. It is very easy and highly flexible.

What I also done was download an application called Gooey Timers. This application is basically like having multiple stopwatches. Let's say you begin a task at 9:00 am and then someone calls so you answer the phone, and you start another timer for the length of your call, and then let's say you check your email and you can set a timer for that until you are done checking your email, and then once you get back to the original task you restart that timer.

It sounds complicated but is very simple and easy to do, and let's you see where most of your time is actually going. What tasks you are actually doing.

I am very clear on how I spend my day because of Gooey Timers, and it really compliments GTD Getting Things Done by David Allen.

Shane_K

[Maria Gudelis]

Originally Posted by Shannon Herod

I just started using schedules and man am I getting so much more work done. Actually, I'm scheduled to be doing for marketing right now :-)

Anyway, I just picked up a new tool that is really awesome. It's called The Action Machine it is here where form as a WSO if you do a search term sure you'll find it.

This software is absolutely amazing. I write out my schedule and then add timers to each task. It has made me very productive.

Regards,

Shannon Herod

Cool Shannon - I never heard of it - will check it out - love the name!

Right now I use outlook calendar as my schedule and also write the top 3 things down on a little piece of paper in the morning that I need to do that day and keep it in my pocket.

[garyv]

Originally Posted by shane_k

I am a huge fan of GTD (Getting Things Done) By David Allen.

So that is the strategy that I follow. It is very easy and highly flexible.

What I also done was download an application called Gooey Timers. This application is basically like having multiple stopwatches. Let's say you begin a task at 9:00 am and then someone calls so you answer the phone, and you start another timer for the length of your call, and then let's say you check your email and you can set a timer for that until you are done checking your email, and then once you get back to the original task you restart that timer.

It sounds complicated but is very simple and easy to do, and let's you see where most of your time is actually going. What tasks you are actually doing.

I am very clear on how I spend my day because of Gooey Timers, and it really compliments GTD Getting Things Done by David Allen.

Shane_K

This one sounds interesting as well, and my compliment The Action Machine software I have now. I'll have to see if I can find it.

[Chris Kent]

I have a long term plan that shows what I want to achieve every week for the next 12 weeks.

Then before each week, I write down what needs to be achieved every day. Each day is split into 4 slots of 2 hours each.

My problem is that I rarely do 8 hours a day. I find it so hard to glue myself to the screen every day for that long. I am quite pleased if I do 6 hours a day which I think is not too ambitious.

[hamerz]

I so need to manage my schedule and time 'browsing" the internet for ideas and learning.