Create a Weekly Planning Process and Stick to it

Managing your time effectively is one of the best ways to increase productivity without working additional hours. If you struggle to complete projects in a timely manner, creating a weekly planning process can help you manage competing priorities and increase your output. It's important to customize the process according to your work habits and preferences, but these tips should give you a head start on increasing your productivity.

1. Check Your Calendar

At some point in the planning process, you need to look at your calendar and see if you have any pressing deadlines, personal appointments or business meetings scheduled during the week. If you need to confirm any appointments, do so during your planning session. Taking a look at your calendar allows you to see how much time you have available for work projects and personal obligations.

2. Review Goals

Reviewing your goals is an important part of the planning process. It's impossible to know if you are on track if you don't know what you are trying to accomplish. As you review your goals, note whether you need to gather information or talk to someone else before moving forward. If you do, schedule follow-up activities on your calendar so you don't forget to do them.

3. Process Email

If you want to be efficient and productive, you need to stay on top of your inbox. Seeing hundreds of messages every time you log in is overwhelming, and it also makes it difficult to separate what is important from what can wait for your attention. During your planning process, take time to sort your inbox. Delete any unwanted messages and reply to those requiring a response. If you need to take action on something, write a reminder in your calendar.

4. Organize Your Notes

The weekly planning process is a good time to organize your notes from the previous week. Throw away any notes you don't need to free up room on your desk and in your pockets. If you need some of the information for future reference, copy the contents of each note into Evernote or a similar program.

5. Make a List

Make a list of everything you need to do in the coming week. Your list should include professional meetings, project deadlines and personal appointments. If you are tired of using a traditional to-do list, switch to another format. Some professionals use list software to create customized checklists and keep track of important tasks.

If you have tried to use a to-do list and failed, you may want to try creating "Never" and "Always" lists. These lists are not necessarily used for time management, but they serve as reminders of the things important to you. Your Never list may include items such as "I never spend time with negative people" or "I do not gossip about my colleagues."

Time management is one of the most important skills you can have as a business professional. If you have been lax about managing your time effectively, creating a weekly planning process can help you get back on track.

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