Did You Write it Down?
Slater Success is built on the calendar process and strategic planning. In the past, I was planning one, two, even five years forward. At this time, I have been shortening my planning and working with my clients to do the same, yet I am still looking and planning forward.
One of the habits I explore in my 7 Traits of Great Leaders presentation is using a “What CAN I do attitude.” And now, more than ever, this is a big one to embrace.
Take control of your calendar.
You are not planning day-to-day or even week-to-week. Look at least one month in advance and plan accordingly.
If you know you are doing a networking event next month, schedule time in your calendar in the days right after for follow-up calls and connections. Doing this early allows you to choose the times you want to be open. If you like morning chats, evening chats, etc. you have the power to keep those times open, rather than scrambling after the event to add calls last minute.
Pick a ‘you’ day.
For me, I rarely schedule any calls or meetings on Fridays. It’s my sacred day and my team knows not to put anything on that day. If I choose to speak with a client or do a call, it is my choice, knowing I have the entire day open.
Fridays are set aside for time with family, self-care appointments like haircuts or doctor visits, business development work and writing time. We put out a lot of content for Slater Success and I need to set aside dedicated time to work on it. I can’t be writing in between calls or while waiting to get on a Zoom. My mindset is in a different zone.
Work within the system of your team.
Many times, I write my PR pitches late at night and send them over to my copywriter to review because she and I are both night owls. Plus, I like writing those after my day with client work is completed. It gives me time to do an internal brain shift.
Know your sweet spots and when you like to do certain work so you can calendar it in.
It should be a flow, a dance. If you like to exercise in the morning, don’t schedule any calls until you have that workout in. Schedule it right in your calendar so you are committed and you will be energized and ready to tackle the day.
If you like a long lunch, schedule calls early and into late evening, so you can take a two hour break mid-day. If that is not your thing, know when you need to take breaks to refresh yourself and stay productive and schedule them in.
Schedule time to work on your to-do list.
I record video newsletters every other week, as well as a lot of other video content for social media. I make sure to actually put that time, even if it’s just 15 minutes, into my calendar so I know when I need to have make-up on and be camera ready. To-do lists are never supposed to be complete because we are always adding more to it. So stop stressing over it!!! Put your actions into your schedule on the calendar and you will see you accomplish more.
You have options and choices when you look ahead and make smart scheduling decisions. This topic came up because I was asked a question during a Visionary Leader call on managing my time and how I handle all the responsibility of owning a business, leadership and the moving pieces of life.
Get on my calendar anytime by clicking the link below. I’ll be ready for you!