Calendars and scheduling are absolutely essential for high-performing students. I watched my calendar like a hawk prior to grad school. Doing so ensured I met deadlines necessary for top grades.
It may take some time to adapt to the system—at first. But once you get used to it, you’ll benefit a thousand-fold. It’s like when my professor introduced to me the idea of using cue cards for writing essays. “Too hard and too time-consuming,” I thought. But I forced myself to try it, and my essay-writing skills improved so much that I was able to get into grad school.
The first thing to do is get pumped about a big goal. For me it was to get a PhD, and though I only made it to the master’s level, now it’s to earn a six-figure salary. Choose a school or work-related goal that gets you excited. Dwell on it daily.
Next, prior to each new month, journal answers to the following questions. “What will make me a huge success this month and what steps do I need to achieve these successes?” Also think, “What challenges will I face and how can I tackle them as my best self?” (You will need to repeat this for each week, at the start of the week, and for each day, at the start of each day.)
After that, write down the name of the month and draft three major goals and all key events for the month. Mark them in your calendar. Next, at the start of each week, do the same: draft three major goals and all key events for the week. Mark them in the calendar as well. After that, take the same approach to the start of each day: draft three major goals and all key events for the day. Mark them in a calendar or to-do list.
Also, in your calendar, schedule the tasks you excel at during your most productive time of the day.
Each day, schedule buffer time where you can bump unfinished tasks. As well, each day, if you have a career, schedule time for work-related learning. But be sure to also schedule work-or school-related activities that excite you. After all, excitement makes work fun.
Another important step is to write down all the leisure activities that put you at peak performance. These could be eating healthy, exercising four days a week, getting enough rest, spending time with loved ones, or meditating. Schedule time for activities that help you be your best.
Also, delegate tasks that you don’t personally need to do. For instance, if you can afford one, hire a cleaning lady. Or assign cleaning tasks to family. This will free time for studies and work. As well, cut back on administrative, time-wasting career tasks by delegating them to an assistant or hiring someone overseas.
Do all of the above and track how much better you perform.
The above system is based roughly on a more polished planning process outlined in the book The Effective CEO by Byron Morrison. I highly recommend reading his book to get a clear blueprint of how to plan your time like a star performer.
After all, you’ve got the potential to be a CEO or PhD, if the idea of becoming one gets you pumped.
