Three reasons why you need a schedule to be productive
You will always be less productive when you don’t have a plan.
Let me start with a simple question. Do you have a plan of what exactly you need to do today? If yes, you can skip this article 😄 Else you can read on.
A man once approached JP Morgan with an envelope that had a “guaranteed formula for success”
JP Morgan told him that he would read the content and if it was worth it, he would pay him. Then Morgan opened the paper, read the content and signed a $25,000 cheque for the man. The paper had only two lines:
- Every morning, write down a list of things that need to be done that day.
- Do them.
Though this sounds so simple, let us understand why having a schedule is important.
#1: Schedule is the railway track that aligns your journey.
“If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.” –Seneca
A schedule gives a definite sense of direction to your day. Without it, you might go through a day wondering at night what exactly you had done. When a train is on a track, it might slow down at times. But it is always moving towards a fixed destination.
#2: Makes you do more in less time
Do you hear yourself often saying, ‘I am not having enough time’?
What happens when we don’t plan our day is that other people’s tasks fill our day. It is like going to a wedding dinner and standing with an empty plate. By default, the serving guys will fill your plate with all the dishes and you will struggle to finish the food.
The other option is that you decide what you want to eat on that day and add those items to your plate.
#3: Helps you to evaluate your progress
Imagine you do make a schedule on a daily basis for a week. Then you repeat this over a month and a couple of months. You will be able to see a gradual change over time. You will be aware of where you tend to spend your time.
This also gives you scope to make changes in your schedule to bring out the desired change in your life.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” — Chinese Proverb
So in case you have not yet made your schedule, you can do it now.
Wishing you a purposeful day! 🙌
Satya
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P.S: I also struggle to be able to make a schedule and stick to it. But I have realised the importance of having one. It has helped me to be more productive in my daily life.
Sometimes the thoughts that I share here are reminders for me. I do read them and reflect upon my thoughts.
