Busy people always have more tasks to do than time to do them. So how do you get most of your tasks done? Plan tomorrow today!

Surprisingly, most people get up in the morning, go to work, sit down at a desk, and then decide what they need to do that day. Deciding what to do can take at least an hour, if something doesn’t come up while making those decisions. If you get distracted, deciding what you need to do can take longer.

One of the best ways to improve your ability to accomplish important tasks is to plan what you will do tomorrow before you leave work each day. By taking 15-30 minutes to plan tomorrow, you will likely save 1-2 hours the next morning and have a much more productive day.  Doing so will also allow you to leave work at work and enjoy your evening with friends and family. 

By taking a few minutes to plan what you will do tomorrow, you begin your day ahead of most people. You already have evaluated and planned what you need to get done. When you arrive the next morning, your mind is clear, and you are ready to begin your day.

List out the tasks you need to get done tomorrow. If you have numerous tasks, organize them according to categories. Think of them like “buckets.”  For example, you may have a “vision bucket,” an “organization bucket,” and a “writing bucket.”

Most days, you will not accomplish everything you desire. By prioritizing your tasks, you assure that you accomplish the most important tasks. Stephen Covey called these items his “big rocks.”  Any tasks that remain at the end of the day can be moved to tomorrow.

By assigning an estimated time to each task, it will motivate you to complete those tasks more quickly. At first, your estimation of time may be inaccurate. You will improve in estimating time as you practice doing so.

Sometimes a specific task will require numerous steps of action to complete. By breaking down the overall task into steps of action, you will complete it more quickly. At times, tasks will require a specific sequencing order.

By taking the time to get organized before you leave each day, you can leave work at work.  Your mind can relax, and you can enjoy being with friends or family. You don’t have to remember specifics, because you are already set for the next day. Just show up and get to work right away. You will be amazed at how this process improves efficiency and reduces your stress.

Learning to plan tomorrow today is a simple but powerful way to improve your efficiency and reduce stress in your life.  Give it a try.  I think you will enjoy it!