How To Plan Your Day According to Your Ability to Focus

Plan Your Day According to Your Ability to Focus

Do you have trouble getting your work done because you can’t focus? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people struggle with focus on a daily basis. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get things done. You just need to plan your day according to your ability to focus.

Have you ever been asked if you’re a morning person or a night owl? If you know the answer right away, you likely have a time of day when you are most productive. Some people hit the ground running and run out of steam by midday. Others are slow to move but perk up right about dinner time. Planning your day according to your ability to focus can help you stop feeling scattered and boost your production. 

Your Body Has a Natural Rhythm

Your body has a natural rhythm that ebbs and flows throughout the day. This rhythm is based on your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that peaks in the morning and declines throughout the day. This is why you might feel more energetic in the morning. As the day goes on, your energy dips as your cortisol levels naturally decline.

Everyone has a natural rhythm. The circadian rhythm triggers the sleep/wake cycle and helps alert our body when itís time to sleep and time to wake up. Your rhythm may include rising with the sun or staying up past midnight, either way tuning into your natural tendency can help you be less scattered and feel more focused. Planning your day around your natural rhythm can reduce your stress and help you tackle whatís got to get done. 

Be Intentional When Planning Your Day

When you plan your day, be intentional about what you want to accomplish. Don’t just put a list of things on your to-do list and hope for the best. Plan your day around the tasks that need to get done. If you have a lot of energy in the morning, use that time to tackle important tasks that require focus.

Everyone has the same twenty-four hours in a day, yet some people get much more done than others. Being intentional when planning your day can make all the difference. Tuning into your most productive time and making the most of it can reduce stress and overwhelm making you less scattered. Consider these ideas when planning your day:

• Plan your day the night before. This will help you be more organized and less stressed in the morning.
• Plan your most important tasks for your most productive time of day.
• Break down larger tasks into smaller more manageable steps.
• Delegate or outsource tasks that you don’t have to do yourself.
• Take breaks throughout the day to refuel and rejuvenate.
• Set a time limit for each task and stick to it.
• Stay organized and avoid clutter.

So, what’s the bottom line? Plan your day according to your ability to focus. Doing so can help reduce stress and increase productivity.

Plan Time to Eat that frog

If you want to be successful, you have to learn to eat frogs. What does that mean? It means doing the things that we don’t want to do, but that need to get done. We all have tasks that we dread, but they still need to get done. That’s where planning your day comes in handy. When you plan your day, be sure to schedule time for the things that you don’t want to do. This way, you can get them done and move on with your day.

Everything else will pale in comparison. If you have the most energy in the morning, do the hardest or most distasteful thing on your list bright and early. If you are more energetic in the evening or nighttime, save it until you are at your peak performance. 

Try a Timer Method to Laser Focus Throughout the Day

If you have a lot to do, using a timer can be a great way to laser focus and get things done. Set the timer for one hour and work on one task until it’s done. When the timer goes off, take a five-minute break and then start again. This technique can help you stay focused and avoid distractions.

Some people do well in short bursts broken up by less intense periods of rest. If you tend to get overwhelmed by big projects, it may help to use a timer method to focus your energy uninterrupted for specific time frames.

Between scheduled work times, engage in an activity that helps you relax and revive for the next round of focused work. You can find apps for your smartphone or desktop to help.

Try the Pomodoro method which breaks tasks down into twenty-five-minute increments of laser-focused work. 

Be Honest About What You Can Accomplish

When you are planning your day, be realistic about what you can actually accomplish. Don’t try to cram too many things into one day. This will only lead to stress and frustration. Plan for the things that you know needs to get done and leave room for flexibility.

Some days will be more productive than others. Just because you didn’t get everything done on your list, doesn’t mean you failed. Be honest about what you can and can’t do and give yourself grace. Plan for the next day and start again.

Overcommitting or underestimating how much time you need for the items on your to-do list can complicate and sabotage your focus. Having more to do than can possibly be done can lead to scrambling at the last minute to meet expectations including both on and off-duty commitments.

If you can’t seem to get a healthy dinner on the table or feel scattered about what your kids need for school or sports every morning, it may be due to an overwhelming schedule. Be sure to set aside enough time in your day to realistically meet all of your duties and commitments. 

This all leads back to planning your day around the time you’re most productive can help you feel less scattered and more in control. Determine when you are at your peak and make the most of your schedule. 

Let me know in the comments how you plan your day.

Talk soon,

Andie 🙂