8 Steps to Creating a Balanced Weekly Schedule

Create a schedule in whatever is most convenient to you – on paper, notebook or using a digital calendar such as Google. (In fact, Google works pretty well.) Whichever works best for you, use it to help organize your day. It will help reduce your stress and get done what you want to get done.

Use the following guidelines to help you set your weekly schedule and to do list:

1. Start by creating a schedule for the next week. Begin by setting your fixed wake time for weekdays, which should early enough to give you time to perform your morning routine and be ready to start “work” or “school” (whatever that would normally be for you) at a reasonable time.
2. Next, your “To Do” list: list all activities (tasks) you’d like to complete during the week on the left column of your weekly schedule. Determine which is most important, placing them at the beginning of your day so that you’ll be doing the most important task when your energy level is at its highest.
3. List the people who can help you with some of the activities, and underline any activities which are not really necessary or that can be done at another time.
4. Be sure to schedule deliberate rest periods and relaxation periods during the day and take them when you are scheduled to take them!
5. You do not have to fill your calendar completely. A lot of people don’t like that idea, but to the extent you can, try to make sure that all time periods in your daily schedule are accounted for with activities or rest breaks. You can work your way towards that goal and see what happens.
6. When you work to your schedule, perform one activity/task at a time and stick with it until it’s finished, or until you’ve spent the time you’ve scheduled for it.
7. Each evening, prepare a schedule for the next day and review your schedule for the upcoming week.
8. Once you’re able to plan your day, start scheduling further ahead by starting to schedule the next week and month and start “pencil things in.” Each evening, when you are preparing a schedule for the next day, take a look ahead to the following week and month.