Leah’s Compilation of Little Scheduling Hacks That Seem to Have Helped in Her Self-Inflicted, Over-Worked, Double-Booked Schedule
At this time, last year, I can remember being given the directives to work from home, “until further notice”. Which I assumed would be a couple of weeks. And which subsequently stretched out to just under 70 days.
We all heralded 2021 as some kind of Grand Temporal Savior. “Surely, the arbitrary assignment of a new year will end this pandemic!” Obviously, having a degree in epidemiology, I knew this wouldn’t be the case. But, just like you, I wanted to believe in it. And I did. I drank the calendar Kool-Aid.
While the virus remains a menace at-large, conspiring in cellular shadows, I have felt a general sigh of public relief – schools have re-opened, businesses are seeing a slow return of patron traffic, and productivity seems to be on the rise. Speaking for myself, the dawn of 2021 was welcomed by my own, enthusiastic retribution for the Lost Year of 2020.
Thus far, I’ve led the research team at my cancer center (at a full-time+ pace), while finishing (another) full-time graduate degree. I have acquired a literary agent, and began writing my debut book (also began penning up the idea for my next non-fiction book… which my agent doesn’t know about yet – hi, Renée!). I designed and launched my own website, began this blog, am finalizing the template for a newsletter, and released multiple episodes of ‘60 Seconds of Science’. I also managed to increase my bench press max by 40% (shout-out to my powerlifters), am raising a new puppy, and – arguably most impressive – got my dormant orchids to re-bloom after over 1 year of futile attempts.
^^^This is a lot. I read through it now, and I can confirm that it is a lot. But, I can also confirm that it is 100% accurate, dear reader.
Friends and followers who know about this scheduling cavalcade ask me how I do it. And, with a little chuckle (and probably sunken eyes, devoid of emotion), I always tell them that I’m just more tired than most people. But, really? The answer is: If it’s important to you, you’ll make time for it.
So, after 6 paragraphs, we arrive at the good stuff: Leah’s Compilation of Little Scheduling Hacks That Seem to Have Helped in Her Self-Inflicted, Over-Worked, Double-Booked Schedule:
1) Color-Coded Fridge Calendar: Being an athlete, I eat. A lot. Which means I’m frequently found pawing through my ice box. All of these trips to a singular location make for a great spot to post a glaring scheduling reminder. Mine is a large desktop calendar, mounted to the freezer door of my refrigerator, with spongy double-sided tape. Each type of scheduling obligation has its own color: one-off, early AM work meeting? Highlighted in bright pink. Conference calls or deadlines for my book? Highlighted in blue. Exams? Green. The list goes on. By mid-month, the calendar looks like it took a life-ending hit from projectile unicorn vomit. But, from a psychological perspective, consistency in color schema helps to solidify who/what requires my efforts, for any given day.
2) Chaotic Mobile Phone Notes Section: Often, as I’m doing something mundane, random ideas will burst into brilliant existence in my brain… only to be suffocated by a subsequent flood of neurological processes. I’ve learned, via the tragic loss of many such ideas, to quickly transcribe them for later reminders. While these runes can be found on the back of old billing envelopes, or torn pieces of odd-ended printer paper, I maintain volumes within the Notes app on my phone. From random ideas for future books, to a subtle nudge to purchase more white tube socks, I keep track of it all.
3) Lists Upon Lists: Lists on lists on lists. On my desk, at the cancer center, I have a running To-Do list for all responsibilities that fall on my shoulders. To complement? I peel back Post-It squares and scratch out smaller, daily lists for things with imminent deadlines. At home, I usually have a list (or two) taped to the colorful calendar, with monosyllabic utterances like, “Car, Site, Clothes”. Sounds like a spell; works like a charm.
4) Timing is Everything: Dedicated time blocks have saved me on days in which everyone and everything is somehow on fire, and I’m only equipped with a leaky bucket. At this point, it’s a mental note for me. But, there is definitely utility in writing it all down. It goes like this: “Saturday – 10am-Noon: Gym; 3-5pm: Illustrate for Book; 6-8pm study….” By breaking out discrete time for each obligation, it assists in the divide-and-conquer tactic. I also find it helps with focus… and masochism.
Cheers, busiest bees.
