11 reasons why you should have a daily schedule.
We’ve all heard that the top 1 percent of the world’s wealthiest people follow a strict schedule.
While many of us may never make it to that bracket (and maybe don’t even want to get there); yet, there are some lessons we can learn from them.
In my own experiments, here are 11 key benefits I’ve found.
1). Efficiency: I no longer need to plan so much for each day — I’m more efficient. This is because my schedule/calendar already has the core activities I need to perform on a daily basis.
2). No leaks: I’m no longer anxious that I may be ignoring an important task. It’s very easy to focus on a few tasks & ignore others. By having a calendar system which considers the totality of your most important projects, the probability of this omission is greatly reduced.
3). All covered: I have enough time to do everything I want to do. Like everyone else, I used to say “I don’t have time”. However, I’ve seen how false that statement is. I actually do have time to do the things I want to do.
4). Family time: I play a lot with my kids – which matters to me. Having a schedule has given me the freedom to enjoy my time with the kids; without feeling like I’m missing out on work; or meant to be doing something else with my time.
5). Structure & discipline: Having a schedule has given me so much structure, discipline, and consistency. As with everything, there’s always room for improvement. But if you compare this with the alternative (which is just coasting through each moment without thinking); the difference is like night & day.
6). I no longer procrastinate (almost): Sincerely, I still delay on some tasks a couple of times each month. However, my procrastination levels have dropped so much that I can almost claim to be free of it.
7). Reduced work stress: I’m not stressed out by work. Planning and having a clear schedule allows you to live a life that reduces work-related stress. Most times, work stress is as a result of close deadlines, piled up tasks, etc. A well thought-out calendar cuts this by more than half.
8). Goal achievement: As a result of my schedule, I now regularly achieve more than 90% of my monthly goals. Sometimes, I actually complete everything I planned.
9). More done in less time: Even though I work less hours each day, I actually get more done. This is because each hour I spend on the computer is fully focused and dedicated to a particular task — rather than trying to figure out what to do.
10). Flexibility: When unforeseen events come up, I have enough room on my schedule to handle them. This is because of built-in buffers & proper anticipation.
11). Fewer emergencies: The more I follow my schedule, the less emergencies come up. This is because I notice my days to see what they typically look like; and then plan accordingly.
I hope you’ll give it a try.