- Do you need to have a weekly planning session? Some people ask me this question after completing my Time Management Fundamentals course. Why? Because I specifically don't give any recommendation to have weekly planning. In fact, personally, I don't do any weekly planning. First, I'll explain why that is and then, I'll explain some things that you could do if you still see value in holding a weekly planning session. In my Time Management courses I talk about the importance of processing.
Processing takes roughly about five hours a week. It's time you have scheduled in your calendar where you decide what you're going to do with each item, when you're going to do it, and where is its home. During that step of deciding when you're going to do things, you are making prioritization decisions. Things that are high priority you are scheduling time to do them soon. Perhaps, tomorrow or, in the next week or two. Things that are low priority you're scheduling to do further out into the future.
Perhaps, several months from now. In this way, what most people consider to be planning is automatically taking place as part of the processing schedule. It naturally occurs and therefore, you don't need any dedicated time to do it. The concept of weekly planning really came out of the 70s and 80s during a time when people weren't inundated with constant interruptions. But in our age, we have far too many activities coming at us, more than we can possibly put into our calendar.
Which means, that, just going through the course of processing you and I are likely to eat up all of our available time. I find it redundant to processing and therefore, don't do it. Now, if you're still finding you have available time or, if you feel that your life would have more balance by taking time to reflect on your week, there are some things you might do during weekly planning. First, you could double check everything in your schedule.
Look ahead, and see if there's anything that seems out of the ordinary. Did you make a mistake in scheduling something? Perhaps, do you see any double booked appointments? Did something change in the last week that caused, what you originally scheduled into the calendar, to no longer be a priority? Make adjustments to your schedule, as needed. Next, you could answer the question, what is the single most important thing that I will accomplish this week? Being focused on one most valuable result will help you become more productive.
By focusing your actions during the week on just one thing, it will help you discover times that may be wasted on lower value activities. It may be too late to adjust the week right in front of you but, it may provide insight for future weeks so that you start to make wiser decisions about your priorities. Next, you can ask, are there any relationships that I want to pay attention to? For instance, is there a spouse, or a child, or a loved one that you want to make time for? This can also apply in the work place.
Such as making sure that you're taking time for team members. And that you're giving them the attention that they need. Finally, if you have a partner in work, or in life, you may want to spend just a little bit of time coordinating schedules with them to make sure that everything lines up for the coming week. Again, weekly planning is not an absolute necessity. If you do choose to make it a part of your schedule, have it at a consistent day and time each week so that it becomes an integral part of your productivity plan.
Author
Updated
4/15/2019Released
4/11/2016Productivity expert Dave Crenshaw provides techniques on a wide variety of topics, designed to help people better manage their time and ultimately become more productive. Tune in to learn about everything from managing emails and calendars to setting priorities, collaborating with coworkers, reducing interruptions, crafting a "productivity mindset," and creating a more comfortable and effective work environment.
Have an idea for a future video from Dave? Submit it using our course feedback form. If you want more time management strategies now, we recommend watching Dave's Time Management Fundamentals course.
- Reducing interruptions
- Dealing with feeling overwhelmed
- Responding to quick questions
- Making the most of meetings
- Following up
- Implementing a closed door, open calendar policy
Skill Level Intermediate
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Introduction
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Welcome43s
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1. Time Management Tips
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Positive procrastination3m 15s
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Ending meetings with action1m 44s
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Building a not-to-do list2m 46s
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Avoiding the crowd mindset2m 58s
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Placing a value on your time3m 30s
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How to schedule a meeting3m 35s
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How to develop flexibility4m 19s
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The trouble with texting3m 48s
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Create a perhaps list4m 58s
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Reduce attention switches4m 46s
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Adapt your favorite app4m 33s
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Make time to get more time3m 49s
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Read vs. unread email3m 52s
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Make time to have fun3m 57s
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Why repetition saves time2m 48s
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Productive passwords2m 3s
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Productive web browser tips1m 51s
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Writing a productive email1m 55s
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Commit to your calendar1m 54s
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What to say instead of ASAP1m 46s
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Set voicemail expectations1m 43s
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Set email expectations1m 46s
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How to use an inbox1m 41s
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How to use an outbox1m 53s
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Video: Exploring the weekly planning session