Week After the "Creating a Schedule" Blog

I'm here to report that I didn't follow my schedule.
Well, for the most part I did.
But not exactly.
For some reason at the end of last week I did not feel I followed my schedule because I did not get to some items on my list, however, after going back over my schedule, I actually did do some of what is on my list.  That's okay I did not follow it exactly.  This was only the first week, and often it is hard to completely succeed the first time doing something.  So, time to reflect.  Let's look at two separate lists, "Reason Why I Didn't Follow My Schedule" and "What Can I Do to Improve My Schedule".

Reasons Why I Didn't Exactly Follow My Schedule:

• Waking up at 7am:  Waking up at an earlier time than I've been usually waking up is slightly difficult, especially when I wake up that early knowing I don't really have to wake up at that time. (and I'm a night owl)  Self discipline is necessary to work on when working from home and for yourself.  I notice that when I have a deadline or job for someone else, I can easily discipline myself to get it done.  Yet, when I am working for myself I can feel a little sluggish.  Insert slug image I worked on today:

• I had way too many expectations:  Recognizing that one may not get everything done that they wanted to get done is important to understanding what is real.  I thought I could commit enough time to multiple projects in one day, but since I wanted to do my best on the project I was working on, other projects needed to be put on hold.  It seems better to focus on one thing at a time to make sure that one project is extremely good than to work on many projects and have a bunch of semi good ones.

What Can I Do to Improve My Schedule:
I say "improve" my schedule instead of "how can I follow it" because I realize that this is something that I set for myself.  The boss of this schedule is me, so I need to work with myself to find the best solution.  Does myself understand?  Yes, self I understand.

Before this becomes a blog about my discussions with myself, here is what I plan to do different:

• Allow myself enough time for individual projects. 
• Wake up at 7am or at least close enough to that time (8am for starters)
• Make time to respond to emails and look up new opportunities every morning (at least give 30 - 45 minutes for this)
• Write in my planner every night to remember my plans for the upcoming day

If anyone has advice as to how they manage and follow their own schedule please comment below.  Thank you!  Be creative!

Creating a Schedule

So I have my goal (I've decided to play checkers ((refer to previous blog))), which is finding myself as an artist.  Now I need to form a game plan.

Keeping a consistent, yet flexible, schedule is a great way to motivate yourself and stay on track.  I always have so many ideas and want to do so much,  but when I do not set an actually plan sometimes nothing (or little bits of everything) gets done.  If you are serious about obtaining your goal, get a planner or even a sheet of paper, and write down your schedule.  Being able to physically see your schedule written down as opposed to holding it in your head will help you remember what to do and in what particular order.

I have my own little mint planner (loving that color so much right now) that I try to write everything down, so not only do I know what I want to do, but I have a record of what I have previously done so I remember my days better.  For my path of discovering myself, and growing up, I have decided I will try to follow this general schedule, until I form an even more solid one:

Sunday

open for finding opportunities or working on my own projects

Monday - Thursday

 wake up at 7am

morning routine

(write blog on Monday and Thursday)

work 4-6 hrs.

break

 work on designs

Friday 

wake up at 7am

morning routine

work 2-4 hrs.

break

personal project

Saturday 

work

open rest of the day

This is my schedule I have set for myself for now.  Let's see if I can keep it or when I can improve it.  Remember, if you are trying to discipline yourself more and get the most out of your day, setting a schedule can be beneficial.  Also, life happens, and everyday will not be according to plan, so try to work around it and get ahead of projects if you know something is coming up.  You can always switch times and activities around until you figure out what works best.  It's your schedule.