My 6 Step Creative Technique for Redesigning My Work Schedule

My 6 Step Creative Technique for Redesigning My Work Schedule

At least once per year, I redesign my schedule. It is necessary. The more my businesses grow, the more time I need to work on the business and less in the business. 

When I first started my practice, I saw clients 5 days per week. I was taking insurance back then and it wasn't unusual for me to have more than 30 face-to-face appointments over the course of the week. It was not sustainable. 

I have had a schedule over the past year where I only see clients Tuesday through Thursday. Leaving Mondays and Fridays for administration, networking, podcasting, writing, etc... 

Well, this is no longer working for me. It is time for my to creatively and intentionally commit to a redesign. Below, I share my creative process for tackling what feels like an overwhelming task. 

Step one: Create art about how I want to feel when I am working each day. If I am looking at my schedule on Sunday and feeling the dreads.... that is a powerful indicator that my current schedule is out of kilter. 

Step Two: Engage in written reflection on what I created. The focus here is identifying what is currently working in my schedule and what areas are not. 

Step Three: Identify which non-work related activities must be included to help me feel my best each day. What is needed for me to get into an embodied state of excitement, curiosity and calmness? Excitement and calmness may appear to be in opposition, but for me both are essential for optimal functioning. 

Step Four: Using post-it notes, write down every task you complete each week. Each post-it is one task and should include the time needed to complete it. I will include both the non-work activities, such as exercise or meditation, and the various work activities, such as client appointments, networking, phone/email, writing newsletters, etc... I think it is helpful to set aside a time block for random things that pop-up, too. 

Step Five: Plot the post-it notes into a either a planner, up on a large white board or wall. Play with the organization and structure as though it is a game of Tetris until it feels right. Identify tasks that need to be eliminated or delegated. 

Step Six: Add this into your work calendar.  Commit to yourself. Don't schedule over times that are allocated to 
specific tasks. 

After a month or so, I like to evaluate what is working and make any needed tweaks. 

Do you have a creative approach to scheduling? Let me know by replying to this email. I would love to hear your approach to tackling this task. 

Do you need support building your practice? I offer consultations focused on aligned action within your business so that what you create is a reflection of your personal values and not someone else's model. Email me for a 15 minute Zoom to see if I may of service to you.