Time to Get Back into Your Routine

Yippee!! School started for my kids this week and they sure are excited. New teachers, new classmates, new responsibilities and eager anticipation for the coming months. My youngest is excited that he gets to dissect a dead squid and stab the ink sack with something sharp. My oldest came home with 58 math problems the first day of school, so his excitement is already waning. Summer was sure terrific and our family had a lot of fun, but I like the beginning of the school year because the entire clan gets back into a routine and on a pretty strict (albeit hectic) schedule. Yes, things around the house are once again back to normal (whatever that is!). This time of year is great for my business routine as well. It’s natural that we all fall out of synch, or ‘off the wagon’ during the summer. You know what they say---All work and no play, etc. So take the time now to re-establish your daily ‘best business practices’. Begin by mapping out your day. This is called time blocking. You should already know tonight what you are doing during your work day tomorrow. Take 15 minutes at the end of each day to map out what you are going to do the following day, in increments of 15 to 60 minutes. Fill your calendar, hour by hour, with your tasks. Writing everything down is very important. You need to pace yourself correctly during the day, and if you don’t commit your itinerary to paper (virtual or the real stuff) you will continue to be scatter-brained. If you like, you can do your time-blocking in the morning when you get to the office. Close the door for ten or fifteen minutes and open up your calendar. ONLY your calendar. Do not open your e-mail yet! You know who you are! Map out your day, and then stick to it. Try blocking out your daily schedule for two weeks, and I promise it will change the way you perform at the office. Things will fall into place and your productivity will fly through the roof. Be sure to block out time for lunch, and a little recess to read the newspaper or surf the net. You need some Zen time during the day to keep your head on straight. My boys are establishing their new school routines this September. No more staying up late or week-night sleepovers. Let’s you and I get our office routines back on track as well so we can get our tasks completed more efficiently, giving us ample time to help the kids with their homework (my other job!).