3 Easy Steps for Time Management through Daily Planning

Dear %$firstname$%,

How many times have you started your day knowing what you would ideally like to get accomplished, but feeling unsure of where to begin or how to prioritize it all? 

On days like this, you can find yourself succumbing to overwhelm before you ever leave the house. There is so much to do, and so little time and energy!

Time and task overwhelm can easily lead to stress and guilt, which can spiral into more bad feelings, and less action.

Many adults with ADD are resistant to the idea of daily planning. But daily planning is one of the best steps you can take to minimize overwhelm and take control of your time.

And better yet, implementing a daily planning routine doesn't have to be difficult! Here are 3 easy steps for time management through the use of daily planning:

1. Plan the Time to Plan
Decide on a time of day when you can consistently take 15 minutes to plan. The time of day isn't important. It can be a set time (8:00 AM) or simply "right before bed." Choose a time of day in which you typically feel alert, productive, and happy.

2. Review Your To-Do List
If you don't already use a to-do list, create one! To-do lists are a tool that help you keep track of what you need to do, and what you have accomplished. Review and re-write your to-do list during each planning session. Acknowledge the accomplishments you made during the day, and add any tasks or projects that came up. Move the most important and urgent tasks to the top of the list. Break large projects into 3-5 steps that all go on the list.

3. Review Your Calendar
Take a look at your daily planner (or calendar, PDA, or whatever you use to help manage your time.) See what appointments you have scheduled the next day. Block off the times in your planner. Then, begin to schedule in time for the tasks on your to-do list.

I'll be honest with you: developing a habit of daily planning takes practice. It doesn't happen overnight. But with a solid commitment to the process, it will happen before you know it! You'll be effectively managing your time and to-dos, and keeping overwhelm at bay.

You can find a detailed plan for building ADD-friendly time management skills in Chapter 4 of my book, Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD.

Do you have a comment on this article? Please share your thoughts on my blog at http://www.experiencingaddvantages.com/2008/02/3-easy-steps-fo.html

Who Else Wants to Be Happy and Successful by Breaking the Rules?

The Odd One Out Coaching Program that begins March 11 is already more than half full!

Do you have an inner maverick dying to bust out and take over?

Are you tired of trying to fit in and longing to just be yourself?

Are you ready to learn practical ADD management skills that will help you get to the next level in your life?

I'm accepting 10 new members in the Odd One Out Coaching Program next month, and only 4 spaces remain.

This ADD coaching program is not for everyone. I'm looking for a very specific group of adults with ADD who:

• Have read, related to, and enjoyed my book, Odd One One: The Maverick's Guide to Adult ADD
• Want to improve ADD management skills and embrace the maverick within to increase successes in life
• Are willing to commit to the coaching process by attending teleclasses, completing homework assignments, and practicing techniques and strategies

In the Odd One Out Coaching Program, we'll take an in-depth look at the strategies in the book, and delve even deeper into advanced strategies for building the 5 Essential Skills for Managing Adult ADD with a maverick approach.

My private coaching practice is currently full (and much more expensive), so this is a great way to get coached by me on how to apply the 5 Essential Skills to your life.

The program begins Tuesday March 11. Teleclasses run for 6 consecutive weeks from 8-9.30 pm EST. Additional resources are included.

Due to other commitments, I won't be running this program again for a while. Six of the 10 spaces have already been filled so if you'd like to join us, now is the time. A payment plan is available.

Please visit the program website at www.ADDmanagement.com/coaching/oddoneoutprogram.html to register or get more information.

All My Best , Jennifer Koretsky, Founder, Head Coach & Chief Visionary Officer ADD Management Group, LLC

P.S. Remember - 15 minutes of planning each day goes a long way towards taking control of your time and breaking the cycle of overwhelm!