K.I.S.S.: Scheduling Your Time To Get More Done The First Day Of School

Now you too can be victorious from stress!


Welcome to the 2nd edition of K.I.S.S. or "Keeping It Simple Series". Today, we will focus on completely overhauling your schedule to get more done in less time.

Now, i'm an avid reader of David Allen's best-seller "Getting Things Done". Even though it has been 5 years since the book was first published, I still find it amazing that, as of now, its #63 on Amazon's list of Best-Selling Books. I've read many stellar reviews on the book. A note-worthy review from amazon.com states:

"Thank goodness the spine of his system is captured on a straightforward, one-page flowchart that you can pin over your desk and repeatedly consult without having to refer back to the book. That alone is worth the purchase price"

Hmmm...are you thinking of what i'm thinking? What could this "one-page flowchart" be? I'll basically summarize the important points of this system so you can put them into effect right away! Brace yourself because this time-organization method will totally blow you away. It's so simple that you will never go in a stress-induced frenzy ever again. Are you ready? Here goes:

What You Will Need:

1. Pencil
2. Loose-Leaf Paper
3. Daily Planner

Before You Go To Bed or In The Morning (Whichever You Prefer):

Step #1: Grab your Loose-Leaf Sheet

Step #2: Get your pencil and draw a vertical line down the center

Step #3: Label the left side "My Schedule"

Step #4: Label the right side "Things to Remember"

Step #5: Grab your Daily Planner and look at the things you need to do (classes, assignments, etc.)

Step #6: Plan your day on the left side of your sheet of paper. Fill in your classes and when you have free time. If you'd like, you can label your free time with whatever you'd like to do (chill out, do homework, meet friends, have lunch, etc.)

Step #7: Leave the right side of the sheet blank

Step #8: Close your planner and leave it at home. That's right! Leave your daily planner at home

Step #9: Fold your sheet up and put it in your pocket. Don't lose the sheet, by all means!

Step #10: Go through your day, following your schedule on the left side as the day progresses. Cross things off as they proceed

Step #11: When important reminders come up (Study Groups, Office Hours, Lunch w/ friends, etc.), write them on the right side so you don't forget them.

When The Day Is Done:

Step #1: Pull out your Daily Planner and Schedule (Your sheet of paper)

Step #2: Here's the key when looking at your schedule: Anything that isn't crossed-off should demand your attention.

Step #3: Look at the left side of your schedule. Anything that you didn't finish, write it down for the next day (or whatever day you want to finish it) on your calendar

Step #4: Focus on the right side now: Look at your to-do list. Do you have a study group on the 25th? A lunch meeting with friends in a week? Write all of those down on your Daily Planner on the appropriate dates

Step #5: Crush your schedule and make a 3-pointer in the trash.

Step #6: Rinse and Repeat

The Aftermath: From this point on, you know when to get your work done. Plus, the little things (do laundry, lunch meetings, etc.) do not get neglected and neither to the "to-do's" that randomly pop into your head!

If you are curious about Allen's book, i'd recommend checking it out on amazon.

Good Luck and I hope this helped!