One Secret to Having a More Productive Week

Here’s a secret to having a more productive week:

Spend 30 minutes Sunday afternoon or evening, or even early Monday morning, planning your week.

I know that sounds overly simplistic, but it can actually be quite powerful.

Give everything you have to do this week an estimated time and then place it on your calendar.

Make sure you allot time for recreation, exercise and family. Even schedule some time to read and/or dream.

Then try, as hard as you can, to work the plan. When interruptions come in your week, unless they are true emergencies, you have a valid reason to say no.

I don’t do this every week, but I try to especially do this on busy weeks, when the demand on my time is more than I feel I can accomplish, or just when I really want to be most productive.

Let me know how it goes.

And don’t tell anyone – it will be our little secret!

In my next post I will share a more detailed listing of how I do this.

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bill (cycleguy) · 710 weeks ago

I do try to do something like this on Sunday or early Monday. I need to do that more with my blogging. I more often have some things in my mind though: like my cycling. I know when i want to but don't write it down. I need to be more pointed with it. That ought to set the "watch-it-alls" on their tush. Ha

1 reply · active 710 weeks ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

ronedmondson 127p · 710 weeks ago

I get the cycling part (ha...the name). Good time thought to prepare I'm sure.

carnadi ford · 710 weeks ago

But what if the interruption to your schedule is a God appointed interruption? How do you know when saying No is saying No to God?

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

Obviously God's interruption trump our own plans...but I find that if I plan well, I'm more prepared when those interruptions come.. Thanks

Reblogged: One Secret to Having a More Productive Week | Ron Edmondson « Miss Laughs-A-Lot

[...] One Secret to Having a More Productive Week | Ron Edmondson [...]

chriscp5 30p · 710 weeks ago

I will have to give this a try. I try to use to-do lists and task managers but it always ends up being "on the fly" and never sticks with me for some reason.

Thanks Chris. Let me know how it goes!

A Flexible Schedule is not always an Open Schedule | Ron Edmondson

[...] I see lots of pastors struggle with the tension a flexible schedule creates for them. Some handle it well, others, in the extreme cases, let it destroy them. They are constantly trying to meet every need that comes to them and seldom have time to do the things that must get done. Free tip: One way I handle this tension is to calendar time for everything. I wrote about it HERE. [...]

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Pingback: A Flexible Schedule is not always an Open Schedule | Ron Edmondson
Chris says:

August 1, 2011 at 9:42 am

I will have to give this a try. I try to use to-do lists and task managers but it always ends up being "on the fly" and never sticks with me for some reason.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:18 pm
  
  Thanks Chris. Let me know how it goes!
Pingback: Reblogged: One Secret to Having a More Productive Week | Ron Edmondson « Miss Laughs-A-Lot
Becky
Twitter: tijuanabecky
says:

July 31, 2011 at 11:33 pm

Agreed Ron! Sticking to a plan and following God's lead are key. I've found it very helpful to use a calendar and know what's going on at least a day ahead of time so I know what to say yes or no to. Definitely helpful to have a plan or system.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:18 pm
  
  Thanks Becky.
carnadi ford says:

July 31, 2011 at 8:48 pm

But what if the interruption to your schedule is a God appointed interruption? How do you know when saying No is saying No to God?
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:18 pm
  
  Obviously God's interruption trump our own plans…but I find that if I plan well, I'm more prepared when those interruptions come.. Thanks
Dan Black says:

July 31, 2011 at 2:00 pm

I try and plan my week on Sunday or Monday. The times when I work, want to write, church volunteer time, relaxing time, and time with my wife and family. I have not been as consistent in doing this but have seen the positive results from writing out my week. Great thought.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:16 pm
  
  Thanks Dan.
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:17 pm
  
  Thanks Dan
bill (cycleguy) says:

July 31, 2011 at 1:56 pm

I do try to do something like this on Sunday or early Monday. I need to do that more with my blogging. I more often have some things in my mind though: like my cycling. I know when i want to but don't write it down. I need to be more pointed with it. That ought to set the "watch-it-alls" on their tush. Ha
- ronedmondson says:
  
  August 1, 2011 at 8:17 pm
  
  I get the cycling part (ha…the name). Good time thought to prepare I'm sure.