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Dear friends,
Hope this message finds you being kind to yourself amid all the tumult in the world right now. Can you believe 2023 is half over? I find myself thinking that time is too short to spend on trivialities. Let’s keep committing to the work we are called to do, every day, in the second half of 2023.
I’m writing this message on a Friday, and I want to share a new weekly practice that I have implemented this month- Friday planning. This idea comes from the book Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam. I was initially put off by the overblown promise of the title, even though I appreciate her prior work. In this book, she recommends nine practices to make life feel calmer and less chaotic. I’ll share my experience with just one of them, making a plan for the following week on Friday.
Most of you plan your time already, so this practice only requires small tweaks from what you are already doing. The first step of her method is standard- populate your calendar with existing commitments and tasks that are required. Then it gets interesting! There are two key aspects of Vanderkam’s methods. First, the guiding question is “What would make you feel like you had a wonderful week?” For me, using that question was transformative. Last week I honed in on a writing project that I care deeply about but has no deadline. I knew I would have a wonderful week if I moved it forward, so I set aside some time on my calendar. Now I am making progress!
The second critical feature of this planning method is applying it not only to work but also the rest of your life. Vanderkam suggests three categories: career, relationships, self. I divided the “relationships” category into two: family and friends. You should create the categories that work for you but try to keep it simple. I have been shocked by how much more I can do in the non-work realm by planning just a week ahead. This week I found a fun 4th of July family outing, texted a friend to see when she was free, and made all my exercise plans.
This method is supposed to take 20 minutes, but I need 35-40 minutes at my desk to address all the moving pieces in my life. It has been helpful for me to identify scheduling conflicts and to make appointments during working hours, and since my brain is usually tired on Friday, planning doesn’t take away from more intense work. A side benefit is that my other weekly chores, like grocery shopping and meal planning, are now easier because I’ve thought through my plans. Best of all, Sunday feels like an actual day off!
I’m not recommending Friday planning so that you get more done. Everyone who reads this email is already highly productive! I like Friday planning because it has helped me look more holistically at my time and be intentional about how I spend it, across my key priorities, not just work. Try it and let me know how it goes. As always, please share widely and, if you are so inclined, sign up for the blog here. Keep in touch and do share good news so I can amplify your successes!
Warmly,
Urmimala