I needed a new schedule to keep myself on track with my goals for the year. Finally, I think I have it nailed!
From 6-8:30 PM most weeknights, I have nothing but time on my hands. Usually, I fall down a Youtube rabbit hole or browse Reddit, sometimes at the same time! However, these little pockets post-work are rife with opportunity. Why shouldn’t I fill them with productive activities?
I’ve broken down each of the goals I want to focus on, from “predominant” to “can wait a bit.”
The breakdown of Priorities
Top Priorities
- Writing
- New Languages
Just two! Two targets that I really care about right now. Then, there’s another few that I really want to add to my new schedule, but when pitted against those two goals, the former wins out:
Backseat Priorities
- New programming languages
- Watching shows on my list
- Watching movies on my list
Penultimately, I have goals that would be NICE to complete this year, but they aren’t as important to me to work on them each week:
Bottom Tier Priorities
- Hair/Makeup improvements
- Learning/Mastering chess
- Playing Guitar
Lastly, I have goals that I would like to be present in almost every day, without taking up too much time, each time:
Omnipresent Priorities
- Cleaning/Tidying
- Reading
Organizing these priorities into a new schedule
To start, I’m looking at writing. I write a blog post on Tuesdays and Saturdays, so Tuesday evenings automatically are reserved for writing that and doing the dishes (which are a longer cleaning task). I’m good with Tuesday being set aside for those activities. Wednesdays have always been for writing! It’s my most creatively promising evening.
This leaves Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays! Upon reflecting, my instinct says to reserve Mondays for foreign language practice. Thursdays, I can alternate out writing, languages, or one of my mid-tier goals.
Thus, the Fridays. I think that maximizing my lounge time on the weekends helps to keep me focused on the week. As a result, I think I can dedicate Fridays to one of my shows or movies.
I think that by keeping myself on a schedule like this, one that’s regimented, I’ll feel more capable of actually getting where I want to be with these goals. As well, if I know that I’ve put in the work yesterday, tomorrow, the day before, and the day after, I will feel less guilty when I take a night off for those pesky Youtube rabbit holes.
As for the weekends, I find myself capable of writing a blog post, working on code, and watching something on my list. I’m going to try this new schedule on the weekdays, then reassess in a few weeks to see how it’s working for me. Through discipline, dedication, and passion, there really is room for everything to get done, even in bits and pieces! Mmm… Reeses Pieces.
Aaaand that’s my meal cue!