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5 Scheduling Strategies for Kickstarting Your Day
Starting-up a start-up from the eyes of starter-uppers.
Todd O'Keefe
Chief Content Officer
Table of Contents
Visualize project flow
Successful scheduling strategies, such as shareable and accessible calendars, make a difference in how you approach your day.
By applying proactive and ritualistic approaches for better scheduling, staying in calm, emotional states and developing a better work culture, you impact your daily routine for the better.
This applies to how you kick off each project with deliberate scheduling and visualizing the project flow from beginning to end.
Here are some ways to focus on productivity within time frames, schedule for changes, set boundaries and move projects forward.
Centralized hubs
Establish a centralized work calendar, such as a printed wall version or a desktop and mobile application.
Google calendar is one suggestion since it synchronizes across various devices and desktops. It also offers personalized touches and document sharing with a simple click.
Wall calendars are great for marking up with distinct actions.
Begin with review
The best way to start your day is to show–up, roll–up your sleeves and get the job done.
Approach your scheduling as a ritual, be deliberate with daily goals and be open to potential change. Ask your team if they have enough time to complete each task, and adjust workflows based on deadlines.
Plan ahead for meetings, visiting clients or personal appointments, or remote team members. Every day looks different, so avoid juggling potential conflicts and proactively manage schedule changes.
Leave buffer space for late client reviews or early client edits and prepare your day for success.
Set specific 30-minute speed meetings for brainstorming and quick collaboration. This provides the extra advantage of setting boundaries and moving projects forward.
Organized and deliberate
Scheduling for success means anticipating change and being more proactive means you spend less time being reactive. Basically, the less you plan, the more you are at other people’s demands.
Start each day with your best possible plan and purpose to maximize results. Try and see your schedule as more important reminders of things that need to be done.
Keep your focus on the end product and what is attainable in your timeframe, abilities and budget.
Getting things done makes life less stressful. Plan ahead for the time needed to complete important and outstanding projects. This results in more profitability and more time on big and bold ideas.
Devising a Plan of Attack
Bad news comes in many forms, such as missed deadlines, mistakes made, core functionality issues, or stopped work due to unpaid invoices.
Start your day with the toughest task first. Own the fault. Communicate early and often with a ready-made solution or recommended next steps.
Reconfirm your commitment to the project and free up the rest of your day to serve the client in a meaningful way.
Always handle these situations well and early, no matter the size or scope. Your ability to communicate will be remembered when that client decides who they collaborate with on their next project.
Early Bird Gets the Worm
Make early and necessary adjustments and create time to negotiate a deadline. Maybe even pull a later workday than usual or shift priorities to another day.
Earn early wins on particular projects by helping a team member or focusing on side projects on the back burner.
Let’s face it, honest and realistic scheduling gets the job done and gets you out of work early!
Be sure to tell your team and your client if any changes should happen to your schedule. Nobody likes surprises when dealing with important projects.
Staying on top of your schedule and adjusting for constant change provides you with a better schedule, a better emotional state and a better work culture.
Interested in some more tips on schedules and routines for creatives?
Download our playbook for practical and actionable items to tackle your everyday schedule.
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