Previous posts here.

I went back and forth for some time, struggling with the decision to start with daily routines or a weekly plan.  It makes sense on the surface to start with the things you do every day, but if you’re anything like me, your “daily” routine probably varies at least a little depending on the day of the week.  So it seemed prudent to start with a general weekly schedule.

First we’ll do the most basic of daily routines.  Then we’ll take the task lists and expand those routines.  Next we’ll fill in the rest of the week with the weekly tasks from the list.  Then we’ll make the physical manifestations of all our recurrent tasks; the card files, routine notebooks, recurring reminders on the computer, whatever.  Last I’ll touch on exceptions and less frequent obligations, and we’ll be ready to move on.

First things first: get a piece of paper and list the days of the week, the only thing about today that will be the same for all of us.  We learned ‘em decades ago and they haven’t changed since.  Lol  Seriously. . . .now fill in those things in your schedule that are time sensitive and/or you can’t change.  Class and work schedules, team practices, church and other organizational meetings or obligations – as long as they are regular and weekly.  A once a month book club reading is an exception, not a rule.  Make sure you note not only your own responsibilities but everyone’s in your household, as I’ll wager that their schedules impact yours in some way.

If you or your significant other has an irregular schedule, or a 3 days on 3 days off kind of arrangement, you’ll have to be a little more creative and flexible with your routines.  Instead of labeling by the days of the week, perhaps ‘work day 1, 2, 3, off day 1, 2, 3’ would be helpful.

Now that you have the skeleton of the week laid out, you’ll need to decide where the flexible elements belong:

  • An office day – for all your paper or computer-related tasks, paying bills, writing letters, updating your website, making menus and grocery lists, etc.
  • An errand day – shopping, post office, library, wherever
  • A cleaning day – beyond the daily pick-up and surface cleaning
  • A clutter-busting day – closets, attics, file cabinets, and garages, the ‘pits’ in our homes, can all be dealt with a little at a time
  • A spruce-up day – get all the surface spiffing done at once
  • A cooking day – save time later in the day by cooking ahead; boiling eggs, making jello, cooking a few pounds of hamburger, make a big roast for planned leftovers, cook a couple of complete meals to freeze for later, bake desserts or bread for the week, whatever floats your boat
  • A family day – to spend time with the ones you love
  • A spiritual renewal day – attend church, walk in the woods, write in a journal, seek out a sunset, anything that helps you recharge
  • A day off – with routines in place you can *and should* afford to take a day off from chores
  • A hobby day – you love to do it but it takes more time than you can squeeze out of every day, so take a block of time for it each week
  • Date night – make an appointment with your significant other to charge your relationship

Yes, I realize there are more days there than there are days in a week.  But one or two may not apply to everyone, and most don’t actually require a full day’s attention.  Depending on your circumstances, you may only need to spend an hour on one or two of these, two to four hours is likely for some, and you may well want to devote an entire day to a couple.  Combine a few, if that works for you.  Your hobby may be renewing for you, and a day devoted to scrapbooks or gardening may be relaxing enough to consider it a day off, for example.

Balance in life is key.  Balance what you have to do for others, your home, and yourself with what you want to do, and you’ll be happier and more productive.  Don’t over schedule your obligations and chores at the expense of yourself and your sanity.  But do get all your responsibilities mapped out into a regular weekly schedule.