Plan Your Time Backwards

I’m late! Hurry up! I don’t have time! I wish I could! Maybe some other time…

Do you live your life racing from one commitment to the next, without ever feeling like you finish anything completely? Would you like more time to enjoy things?

Often all you need is a decent and detailed plan, allowing for life’s little hiccups.

Whether you use a planner, a diary, your smartphone or your electronic calendar – plan out your day or week, and add in absolutely everything you would like to achieve.

Your goal may be to exercise three times each week, read something every day, book health appointments, see two friends, go to an evening meeting and have dinner with your family or spouse at least five days of the week. That can feel impossible when combined with work and other pressures.

Scheduling these little things may seem trivial, but they are often the first thing to be sacrificed when other priorities come up.

Making time is often a matter of prioritising. If it is important to you, you will find time. If you have made time for it, then keep your commitment to yourself.

If you have an appointment that you have to drive to, factor in the travel time and potential traffic issues and the time required to park. Allow 10 minutes more than you think you will need, always. A little extra time allows you to feel composed, confident and under control.

If you have people coming over, plan your preparation backwards (it will take 30 minutes to pick up ingredients, an hour to prepare the meal and an hour for cooking time which you can use to set the table and tidy the kitchen for example), so you have a clear 30 minutes before they arrive. If this is the scenario and you have guests coming at 6pm, you will need to start at 2.50pm (never forget the parking time!).

Time is fluid, but can be elusive, great planning allows your time to expand and be most productive.