My life is busy: I have numerous clients for my writing business; I work part-time as a martial arts instructor; I’m in the process of starting my second business as a self-improvement speaker; I have numerous projects underway, etc. It’s a balancing act, to say the least. And this week, I’ve had several people ask me how I find the time to do it all.
Initially, I didn’t have an answer… My response was the typical, “You don’t find the time, you make the time” retort. While that answer is truthful, it’s also a bit vague. And so after some thought, I realized there is one thing in particular that has helped me tremendously to schedule time to work on my goals: The Weekly Blueprint.
What is the Weekly Blueprint?
This is a concept I learned a few years back, and it has served me well ever since. The idea behind the weekly blueprint is simple: Schedule your entire week in advance so you know the main tasks and objectives that must be completed. This process compartmentalizes your activities, giving them order and importance.
Now here comes the good part.
Once your activities are assigned for the week, you’re done. You no longer need to stress about or contemplate what needs to be accomplished. All you need to do is perform the task; this makes things so easy for you.
Simply review your weekly blueprint each morning and cross off each task, one by one, until you’ve completed your obligations for the day.
And here’s where it gets interesting…
You’ll feel a strong sense of pride and productivity from this process. Why? Because you’re being efficient with your time and utilizing it in an effective manner. As a result, you start feeling better and better about yourself the more you engage in this process.
How Do You Start?
There are many ways to go about this process. You can track your tasks with a spreadsheet, a Google Doc, or the Notes app on your phone, or you can even go old school and use a piece of paper and a pen (my preferred method).
Do what works best for you.
Start this exercise on a Sunday afternoon/evening; think of everything that needs to get done the following week. Then load up all of the tasks on your list. For example, you can include:
- How many times you need to work out (and on what days)
- How much time you need to spend on a project
- The bills that need to be paid (and by when)
- If you need to make any calls or send any emails to certain people
- Any appointments that you need to attend, etc.
You can load this list with everything. Remember, it’s here to help organize your daily activities, so don’t be shy or tentative about what you should put on it.
Benefits of the Weekly Blueprint
It’s understandable if you’re somewhat skeptical regarding this practice. However, I’ve been doing this for years. So trust me when I say it’s worth the effort. Here are a few advantages you may experience from this simple habit:
- Better organization
- Improved time management
- More focus and concentration
- Increased sense of clarity
- Build self-trust
- Accountability to your obligations
- Fewer distractions
Your weekly blueprint structures your days. For this reason, it can be a very powerful tool in helping you become more organized in your life. But for this practice to really be effective, it’s essential that you adopt…
The Proper Mindset
I want you to think of each task on this list as a promise you’re making to yourself. Let me ask you something: If someone makes a promise to you—whether it’s big or small—and they break that promise, do you like and trust that person more? Or have they lost respect and credibility in your eyes?
I think we all know the answer to that.
I want you to take this same mentality toward yourself and your weekly blueprint. Think of every activity on this list as a promise to yourself. And if you violate this contract, you will lose self-respect and credibility in your own eyes.
This may seem like a dramatic approach to take for such a simple activity. But the truth is…
Everything You Do Matters
Whether you realize it or not, you lose a little bit of integrity in your own eyes with each broken promise. You tarnish your reputation with yourself whenever you fail to honour your commitments (big or small).
This is the proper mindset to take toward the weekly blueprint.
Some may see that as extreme; however, I believe this mindset is a healthy way of holding yourself accountable. And the best part? The more you implement the weekly blueprint in your life as a habit, the more you will develop the qualities of integrity and consistency within yourself.
So the proper mindset is to see this process as an exercise that will contribute to your self-trust and, as a result, your self-improvement.
Start Your Weekly Blueprint Today
Success in any undertaking requires organization. As a result, you must coordinate and direct your efforts intelligently. And one of the most effective ways to do that is with a concrete schedule that can be created through your weekly blueprint. If you’d like additional tips and tactics on how to build better habits, cultivate self-discipline, and achieve your goals, then be sure to sign up for the Motivated And Disciplined Newsletter below.
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