The Power of Agendas

I think it is safe to say that we have all had days (or even weeks) where we wake up with all the biggest plans and a mental to-do list, but then time appears to 'fly by' and nothing get accomplished. It usually aligns with the days that we are binge watching shows on Netflix (or whichever your favourite streaming platform is) or laying back, scrolling on social media. But how does that benefit us? How did that fit into our schedule? Did we just reward ourselves for procrastinating on our life priorities and tasks again? How do we stop that from transitioning into the next day?

It starts by managing our time instead of time managing us.

Having an agenda and/or a notebook in order to write down our goals & creating a schedule is a perfect big first step to managing our time. It creates productivity & self-discipline! It can be physical, if you like writing things down, or digital, if you like integrating your notes and calendars with screenshots, photos, and audio recordings. It does not need to be fancy or costly, it just needs to work! Dedicating a little time and effort to plan our days is very doable and beneficial for the long-term.

4 great things to write in your agenda for better success moving forward are:

1) Gratitude - what are you grateful for? In our busy schedules, we get so consumed with what we don’t have instead of being grateful for everything we do have! Sit back and realize all the good that has come your way. You may even realize that you have more to be happy about than you think.

2) Your goals - everyone thinks to write a BIG goal such as their dream house, their dream car, etc. However, that shouldn’t be your main focus! When I say write down your goals, I mean write down at least 3 short-term daily goals that would place you on a path that allows you to get to the ULTIMATE goal! Breaking down your goals into tiny accomplishments will not only keep your momentum going, but make your dream goal much more attainable.

3) Schedule - This section is mainly what we have always used an agenda for: What plans do we have today? It could have been a lunch date scheduled a month ago, homework that needs to be done, a work deadline you need to meet, or even just some self-care time. Remember, we all have 24 hours, so ensure that it is a manageable & realistic schedule.

4) Reflection - this could be looking at your yesterday and writing down what made you happy or sad, what you can do better, or even the people & personalities you encountered. Reflection could also be looking at your agenda at the end of the day and seeing what you accomplished and what you are going to accomplish tomorrow! Looking back at yourself daily allows you to assess your attitude, productivity, habits, and behaviours! It allows you to have a better tomorrow!

These 4 main sections in your agenda/notebook allow you to reach a level of happiness within yourself and gain a sense of self-realization. The more you continuously maintain this habit, the more you'll understand your strengths and weaknesses on a daily basis, as well as track your growth. In addition, it will boost your efficiency and effectiveness in managing your time so that you can eventually binge watch that show you've kept on your watchlist for the past month! Let’s make the rest of 2021 and the years moving forward a RICH & WONDERFUL one!

What are some things that you write in your agenda and notebook? What are some techniques that you execute to boost your daily/weekly productivity? Share your ideas with me! Also, If you think this could also help anyone you know, feel free to share it below.