Note: I was planning on writing an email about how I plan out my week this morning, and then remembered I did this last year. So here ya go, a full breakdown of my week.
My amigo Mike Abramov emailed me yesterday with an interesting question about how I plan my week…“One thing I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on is how you plan your week.I recall you mentioning writing down your “big rocks” but I don’t remember whether you did that daily, weekly, or how you handled all of that.I find myself doing a ton of “busy work” before getting started with writing (what makes me the most money) and I think it’s a form of procrastination in and of itself that could be mitigated with better planning. Anyway, would be sweet to hear how you plan your week in a future email.”
Great question, let’s dive in.
First, I’ll say that my method for planning is about as simple as can be.
I don’t use any apps.
Not even anything digital.
Just a notepad.
And each week my notepad has 5 categories of things I’d like to get done…
1. Top 3 priorities
2. Secondary priorities
3. People to follow-up with
4. Long term things that need done
5. Non-work things that need done
So here’s an actual picture of what this looks like.
As you can see at the top, I have my top priorities.
For me, my top priority every morning is writing this email.
It’s the #1 thing I do.
So I make sure I do it first thing in the morning (and I’m deadly serious about not letting anything interfere with that)
My other top priorities for the week usually involve the big “needle movers” that will make me more money.
So getting new leads for my email list is one of those.
That could be something as simple as reaching out to someone who will mail their list about me (people like Ian Stanley, Brian Kurtz and Kim Krause Schwalm have all done this)
Or it could be making a post on Facebook that brings in new leads.
So the top two things every week are my emails, and getting leads.
And then I’ll usually have 1 or 2 things involving putting new products together.
In the example above, there’s stuff for my upcoming courses “1000 buyers a day” as well as stuff for my FB compliance course.
So those were the TOP priorities for that week.
I usually limit the TOP priorities to 3 things.
And then after my top priorities, I have my secondary priorities.
These are all things that need to be done, but simply aren’t as important.
So on this list I have things like…
– package selected for my upcoming newsletter
– finish dog rescue fundraising letter
– record new video for my Youtube channel
I tend to do the secondary stuff in the afternoon when I don’t need as much of my focus.
Afternoon is also when I’ll do calls…
Catch up on stuff in our Facebook group…
Hit the gym…
I don’t do much writing in the afternoon, because I’m frankly not as focused.
I try to get all my important stuff done from like 8-11 AM each day.
So that’s the first two columns…
The third column is simply follow-ups.
These are people I need to follow-up with at some point during the week.
Maybe we have an upcoming call…
Or they’re signing up for Copy Accelerator…
Whatever it is, I know I need to follow up with them this week.
After that…
We have a section for long-term stuff I’m working on that I don’t want to forget.
This is usually stuff that spans a few weeks or months.
So that little section just reminds me that I still need to do it.
And then last but not least is my non-work section.
This is exactly what it sounds like.
Stuff I need to do that isn’t work related.
So on this example, I have some stuff I need to do with Brent (my coach).
I had some wood decking I was gonna sell on Craigslist.
And I also needed to get my beard trimmed.
Pretty basic stuff.
And as you can see this isn’t fancy.
But it works for me.
So I create this to-do list every Sunday night.
That way I have a new one each week.
Honestly most of the stuff does not get done each week.
So it carries over to the next week.
But each day, I’ll plan out my day based on this list.
So I’ll pick out 1-2 top priorities to do in the morning.
And then 3-5 other things that need done (including both work and non-work stuff).
Then I add in any pre-standing appointments I already have…
Calls, workouts etc…
And that’s basically my day.
One note…
I don’t plan my day hour-by-hour or in 15 minute blocks like some people.
I’ve tried it. And I hated it.
I’m simply not focused enough to do it.
So for me it’s more about here’s the 1-2 BIG things I want to get done…
And here’s the 2-4 other things I’d like to get done.
And if I get most of that done, it’s a good day.
So that’s what works for me.
I’ve kind of landed on this “system” after trying numerous planning styles over the years.
And this one fits my style well.
The big key though is to make sure your plan is always focused on your “big needle movers”.
Knock those out first thing in the morning.
And guard that time with your life.
That’s one thing I’ve gotten much better at.
8 AM – 11 AM is my magic time.
I don’t do any calls.
No appointments.
Nothing.
It’s my 3 hours to work on the stuff that makes me money.
I would say that’s the big key to my planning.
Anyways…
Hope this was helpful for ya.
Enjoy your Monday,
– Justin
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