Business Blueprint Founder and CEO Dale Beaumont explains how to take control of your schedule and set yourself up for success.
A good year is simply a collection of good weeks, but this is why it’s so important to plan and own your week for maximum success.
I recently hosted a full day Life Planning session for Business Blueprint members, showing them how taking time out at the start of the year can set you up for smoother sailing. One of the sessions covered how to plan your week: here’s a short look at the key points.
Strike a Balance Between Work and Personal Commitments
Maintain momentum as an entrepreneur by making time for your professional and personal tasks in advance. This means blocking out spots in your diary for important activities like doctor’s appointments, family events and personal development – just as you would for your business priorities. And don’t forget to schedule days off to rest, recover and spend time with the people who matter most to you.
By planning ahead, you can ensure you have a healthier work-life balance and the energy to perform at your best. Think of yourself as a professional athlete—you wouldn’t expect a sportsperson to train non-stop without rest and recovery, but at the same time they have a clear schedule so they know what they are doing and when, and they can make the most of every hour.
Structure Your Ideal Day
Before you plan your week, start by considering your optimal daily routine.
What time do you need to wind down in the evenings to ensure you get 7-8 hours of quality sleep? Work backwards from there to set your wake up time.
In the mornings, try to incorporate a feel-good personal activity, whether that’s a quick workout, a mindfulness practice, or simply enjoying your morning coffee. This will help you start the day feeling energised and focused.
Next, block out time for the business activities that are the highest priority. This could include team meetings, sales appointments, content creation—whatever your key revenue-generating tasks are. Treat these like immovable ‘rocks’ in your schedule.
Choose Themes for Each Day
One helpful strategy is to theme your weekdays. For example, you might dedicate Mondays to team meetings, Tuesdays to sales, Wednesdays to content creation and so on. This ensures you’re consistently making progress on the activities that matter most.
Of course, you will always have exceptions to this rule, but having this high-level structure will stop you from getting pulled in too many directions and losing sight of what really matters.
Schedule the Essentials
To make sure the essentials don’t slip through the cracks, be sure to block time for:
- Clearing your inbox (aim for 30 minutes, twice a day)
- Your weekly team meeting
- Sales activities like appointments, webinars and networking
Set reminders for these non-negotiable tasks, so you’re less likely to let them fall by the wayside.
Stick to the Plan (Most of the Time)
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect. Aim to stick to your ideal weekly schedule about 80% of the time. There will always be unexpected events or the occasional late night. The key is to have a solid plan in place that you can largely rely on.
By planning your week with intention, you’ll be able to work proactively rather than reactively. This will not only make you more productive, but also help you avoid burnout. Get planning, structure your week, let people know what you’re doing and watch your business and personal life thrive.
Want more training from Business Blueprint so you can take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level? Access our free webinars here.
