Most executives have a weekly planning routine. The plan may be as simple as creating a “to do” list for the week on Monday and then entering those action items into your calendar. It may be much more complicated and involve assigning tasks to others, planning out each hour of each day, and more.
No matter your planning routine, there is a way to do it better. That is: document the routine and turn it into a process.
Why should I turn a routine into a documented process?
If you are like most business executives, you have a weekly planning routine. But, that routine is only a framework that changes each week – or – it’s an old routine that doesn’t capture the needs of your growing company. Additionally, because many executives rush through their planning, they miss vital tasks and have to add them to the calendar later, cramming their days full of meetings and to-dos.
So, how can you make your planning routine better, more efficient, and even more fun?
Document the routine and make it a process.
How does that help?
Here are step-by-step instructions that are sure to make your routine better and more enjoyable:
1. Document your existing routine.
Write down what you do at the end of the previous week/beginning of the new week to prepare for the next five workdays.
2. Look over the routine.
Does this routine serve to focus your attention and provide time to thoughtfully plan your week ahead? Do you block out time slots for focussed work, study, or contemplation? Do you like doing this routine?
3. Consider: How can you make this routine fun?
This is something you do every. single. week. It is time to inject some fun into planning. Here are three ideas that you can use:
- Bookend your planning system with enjoyable activities. Do something fun or treat yourself before and after the routine.
- Find something you can do during the routine to inject joy into the experience. Drink the fanciest coffee you can order, play your favorite music, or do your planning on the back deck as you watch the sunrise. Enjoy the moment.
- Block out your planning time to accomplish it with time to spare. Give yourself a ninety-minute block or more to plan your week and really dig into what you want to get done. Giving yourself the gift of time will make the routine much more enjoyable.
4. Does your routine cover everything that needs to get done?
Often, we plan out the week, and then a wrench is thrown into the works in the form of unexpected meetings or fires that need to be put out. Instead of working even longer hours, find ways to fit everything into the week.
You can accomplish this by a. delegating tasks and b. protecting your time.
These are both difficult to do if you are already far too overbooked to think of creative solutions. Often, when we are overbooked, we will take that extra meeting simply because we cannot think of a way to solve the issue without it.
So, instead of packing your week, make sure your routine is to schedule blocks of “free” time that you can use to study, plan, or take on additional tasks.
5. Run through your new routine.
Your new routine may look great on paper but be entirely impractical for your needs and your schedule. Run through it and tweak the results until your planning time goes smoothly, is enjoyable, and provides the result of a planned out week. Then use that modified routine each week, for as long as it serves you.
This simple upgrade to your weekly planning action will improve your overall production during the week. Try it and discover the benefit of using a procedure to enhance your day-to-day.
Are you considering systemizing your business? Get in touch with the experts at Business Success Consulting Group. We are here to help you implement systematization and make your work more efficient – and more enjoyable. Contact us today.
