The technique I’m about to show you is so simple, but I don’t know any students who use it. It’s incredibly easy to learn and will skyrocket your productivity but students stop using it around high school. If a simple technique can produce such great results, why don’t people use it?
Because of its simplicity, most students assume it can’t help them. They assume the technique is for younger kids because of how easy it is to learn. The truth is, many successful entrepreneurs use this method.
I’ve been using a modified version of timetables since I was in high school and my productivity has always been very high. If you take a second to learn this method I guarantee you will be able to complete your tasks more effectively, which will allow more time to enjoy life.
Timetable Example
To give you an idea of how to set up a timetable, here is what I wrote today:
| Monday April 12, 2010 |
|---|
| 4:00 – 6:00pm Gym |
| 6:00 – 7:00 Eat |
| 7:00 – 7:30 Finish marketing research for group project |
| 7:30 – 8:00 Create new logo in Photoshop for school project |
| 8:00 – 9:00 Write a new guest post |
| 9:00 – 11:00 Free Time |
| 11:00 – Sleep |
You can get as detailed as you like, just make sure you stick to the times.
Allocating Time
If you give yourself too long to complete a task, you will be wasting time. Always give yourself just enough time. It’s better to give yourself less time than too much, here is why.
If you don’t finish a task, stop working on it and move on to the next assignment. Come back to this task once you finish the other on your list. This will prevent you from spending all day working on one task then realizing you still have other things to do.
Also, by giving yourself just enough time to work on something, you will be cutting out all of the distractions and little things that lead to procrastination.
Rules
I’ve been using this method for a long time so I’ve come up with some rules that I like to follow. Keeping to these allows this method to work. If you don’t use these rules, you’re not going to be able to keep to your schedule.
- Paper – Everyday. Create a new timetable everyday on paper. I recommend using paper to start with because it will allow you to physically feel the weight of the assignments you must complete. Carry the table around with you at all times. After some time, you can upgrade to using your cell phone but until you’ve mastered this technique, use paper.
- Do Not Extend Times. If you do this, this technique will NOT work. You will be able to come back to projects when you are finished with the rest of the tasks. That’s what the Free Time is for.
- Never Plan a Whole Day. Life is unpredictable. Planning an entire day will not give you leeway when something comes up. I plan out entire days only when I know for sure what I’m doing for the rest of the day, like going to the gym and then eating.
- Plan Free Time. Make sure to plan free time into your schedule, but do not allow this to be a buffer. Only use free time for projects when you run out of time. Also, I always leave my weekends wide open. I might plan to work on a group project or write a paper, but for the most part I like to just relax and have fun on the weekends. College is supposed to be fun, remember.
Do you use timetables? Maybe you use a modified version. Let me know how you stay productive in the comments below.
10 Comments
Simple solutions are often the most effective. I sometimes make whole day schedules and they always go off track, so you’re absolutely right in the sense that we need to break it up. Great tips man.
Breaking it up is key. The more detailed you get when working on several projects the better. Thanks for the comment!
This is a great suggestion, I recommend this concept to everyone who emails me or asks me for advice on becoming more productive.
Agreed, this is a very basic skill and very easy to implement. It’s a great starting place for anyone wanting to work on their productivity.
Great tip. I noticed that the days I am most productive are always the ones that I make a time-tables for. In fact, I should be doing this right now. Thanks for keeping me on track
You’re Welcome Su, thanks for the comment!
Really good guidelines! I’m going back to college in the fall after a loonnnnggg break – will have to give this method a try :)
I totally agree with you on this post. I have been doing these this past year because as an engineering student, I have so much work and it makes it hard to get it all done unless I make a list. It’s very easy to get distracted or feel overwhelmed, so if I know I’m going to give myself a break or give myself some free time it really helps. I’ve started to suggest it to my other friends too, and it really helps. I find the best paper to use (as you suggested to use paper first) is post it notes or lined sticky notes (like ones for shopping lists) that way you can easily scrap them or stick them to your work area. Plus, you’re not wasting a whole sheet. This isn’t even counting how much I depend on my planner (agenda).
Ashley,
I started with notecards, but looking back I should have used stickies! Thanks for the tips.
p.s. – I took a look at your blog and I absolutely love your photography. You’re incredibly talented. Keep up the good work.
it helps a lot.tank you for the strategies
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