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Based on your rather wide-ranging thoughts and feelings, make a
realistic list of the learning and work that seems to be required to
reach your "top" priority goals. Be creative. Be realistic. Don't confuse
goals (step 1) with activities. Getting into graduate school is a goal;
activities leading to that goal are studying 4 to 6 hours every day,
doing well in a math course every semester, preparing for the
Graduate Record Exams for 5 hours every week for 3 or 4 months, and
so on. You will surely list many more activities than can possibly be
done, so again rank the importance of each activity as "top," "second,"
and "low." This helps you decide what most needs to be done to reach
your most important goals. If you don't know how to reach your goals,
i.e. get to where you want to go, talk to people who have made it (or
read their histories and advice). It is vitally important that your actions
actually lead you to your goals. This knowledge of what leads to what
comes from science, experience, and wisdom.
STEP THREE: Observe how you spend your time.
It could be an eye-opening experience to simply record how you
spend your 168 hours per week. Note how you waste time, spend time
on low priority tasks, have trouble getting started, or tend to be
inefficient. Also notice when you have the most energy for exercising
or hard work, when you are most alert mentally, when you get tired or
irritable, and what distracts you from high priority activities. This
information may be useful in setting up a daily schedule so you will
stay on task.
STEP FOUR: Make a master schedule of fixed activities for the
week.
A master schedule for the week tells you what time is "committed,"
i.e. time periods that you have already scheduled. It includes sleeping,
dressing, eating, travel time, meetings or classes, housekeeping
chores, time with loved ones, friends or children, and some leisure-
relaxation-exercise time. This is your fixed schedule. It includes the
things you must do. Your master schedule is pretty stable week after
week. You need to write it down only once, then make occasional
changes as needed. The master schedule identifies the hours that are
"free," that you have control over.
STEP FIVE: Keep a running list of assignments--things you need
to get done this week.
You have to keep track of what needs to be done soon, e.g. get a
report written, go to the grocery, make arrangements for going out
Friday night, etc. It will be helpful to note any due dates, the time
required (remember many things take twice as much time as we
expected), and the importance of the task.
STEP SIX: Make a "To-Be-Done List" for every day.
