Increase productivity because you know what you’re doing and when. Create ease because you have a plan and having a plan reduces stress.

Full disclaimer before we dive in, this is NOT a post of about how to be productive during this global pandemic. I’ve been using this weekly planning method for little over a year now and found it has been EXTRA helpful for me during this time. I am sharing this now, in the hopes that it helps you too.

Creating a routine can be incredibly important when we’re dealing with added stress, anxiety and the feeling of uncertainty.

It helps us establish control after we feel like we’ve lost it. It can be a reminder to look after yourself, separate work from home (even when they are both taking place in 700 square feet), schedule zoom dates with friends, movement in our bodies and give us the feeling of accomplishment all at the same time.

I have tried various planners and methods over the past 4 years of business and last year and I’ve created a weekly breakdown that has helped me be more productive and create more ease and balance by helping me separate my work time and personal time. There is also a daily focus on movement, gratitude and act of kindness. Something that I fill out daily, to close out my workday. This little ritual as part of the printout helps me ease into the evening, closing the “door” from my work and into my personal time.

I recognize that not everyone is “in the same boat” right now, despite how many times we’ve heard this. It is an extreme privilege that I get to work from home and that I am able to be even writing this blog post right now from the comfort of my couch.

I share this planning method because this can be used by anyone and everyone. This can be used if you’re working, if you’re not working, if you’re studying, if you’re a parent, if you are a human who’s looking to organize their time and develop a solid sense of routine during a time when it’s not uncommon to forget what day it is. ANYONE.

So, how does it work?

This is my step by step process that I do on Sunday afternoons because I start my week on Monday mornings – there are two download options, one with days of the week and one with blank fields for you to populate if you don’t start your week on a Monday 😉  

1. Download and print this free template and put aside until step #4 (read to the end to get your download)
2. Take any piece of paper and write down your “to-do” list for the week ahead. This can be unorganized, personal, work, kids, plans, dates, whatever you want to accomplish for the week ahead.
3. Circle all of the priority items and add deadlines to everything that has a hard deadline, if something doesn’t have a deadline, give it one and be realistic
4. Grab your printout and add your dates to it and at the very top list your TOP PRIORITIES for the week ahead – these can be work related, personal, wellness, or a combination of them all.
5. Next, take just the items that you’ve circled as your top items and apply them to their column (day) and apply their time/deadline
6. Now, schedule all the other things around these deadlines/must-do’s – add in zoom/facetime dates, fitness/movement/classes, grocery store shopping, really anything you want to get done or do this week!
7. The bottom portion of each day has a place for you to write out one thing you are grateful for, one thing you did to move your body and one act of kindness you were able to bring into the world, not matter how small. This is how I close my day and it feels great.
8. The very bottom is a space to list your plans for the weekend, things you didn’t get done and will move to next week (remember, don’t be hard on yourself) and a lesson that this week taught you.
9. Put this 7-day plan somewhere you can see and refer back to and go into your week knowing you’ve got a plan in place and are ready.

Tip: Stay in your day. After you’ve mapped out your week, staying in your day can help you stay focused and calm the overwhelm of feeling like you need to DO. IT. ALL.

Eco Tip: After you’ve done this one week, use the backside of that sheet as scrap paper to write you initial to-do list.

For me, this process of planning and writing out my week has helped me work smarter than I did before. It helps me stay on task, but also create space for wellness and connection. And during this time of self-isolation and uncertainty, this has softened my anxiety and allowed me to take some control back when it seems so out of reach.

Try this out and let me know if it helps you manage your time create a bit more ease in your week ahead.