How to Plan Your Day in Lockdown
As iso day blurred into the next iso day, I was starting to feel like time was truly dragging.
Some mornings I was dreading the day by 8am, and others I was watching the hands of the clock like a hawk as we limped towards my toddler’s bedtime.
Cabin fever felt like a real thing as we went from room to room to play throughout the day. I would groan on rainy days, knowing we couldn’t really even get out for our daily exercise.
I’ve been consistent with self coaching for a few years now, but I noticed I’d start to let my morning thought download slip.
As I started doing it again and running Self Coaching Models, the same required action kept coming up over and over in my intentional models (read more about the Model here).
PLAN YOUR DAY
“...with what?” I would think. We’ve already done everything and we can’t go anywhere!
I started with a simple planning strategy that I know will help interest you and your kids, and ensure you’re more present throughout the day.
Start with a blank piece of paper
I grabbed a blank piece of paper and wrote out the hours of the day. I started to fill in the gaps. Meals, nap time, FaceTime calls with family. Amazingly, the slots were filling up.
This immediately shrunk the enormity of the day and I realised I only had a handful of half hour slots left to plan.
Well, I’d think, we could do colouring, play doh, go for a trike ride or walk around the parklands on non-rainy days… and lo and behold, the day was nearly full.
All you need is a blank piece of paper (or your planner or digital calendar if you prefer) and you can get started.
Factor in household chores
I also usually have a few household chores in the back of my mind throughout the day. “When will I get the laundry on? When will I cook dinner?” I’ll wonder.
I put them on the schedule too, and was no longer searching for pockets of time in the day (or tiptoeing away while my daughter was distracted by her teddies).
They were on the list and I knew when I’d get them done.
What time of day is best for you to get the household chores done?
Can you wash the dishes while your toddler reads books? Can you prep dinner early so you’re not rushing? Add it to your daily plan and take it off your mind.
Planning means freedom
Some people perceive planning their time as rigid or restrictive, but I’ve found the opposite to be true.
My headspace is freed up when my time is planned, and I’m not constantly thinking of what we should do next.
And let’s be real. My toddler has a mind of her own and will sometimes yell “NO!” to my plans of colouring, play doh, a trike ride and a walk, but at least I have a guide for the day and some ideas for tomorrow.
Try planning one day this week, and comment below to let me know how it goes. Let it help you enjoy your time more and look forward to the day ahead.