Sticking to a schedule is one of the most effective ways to blog. You can plan out a large variety of things, like when you will write, when you will promote, when you will take off, etc. A calendar, or schedule is really a very helpful thing to have around when you are trying to juggle all of these activities.
As useful as a calendar is, it’s also very hard to keep up with. Sometimes there will be situations where you just don’t feel like doing anything related to that task, and other times there will just simply be no time to do that task on your schedule. When you end up not doing those things, you can fall behind and your whole situation will just turn into a mess.
When I went over my secret to effective blogging, I did go over my process for creating and using a calendar. When I wrote that post, I had only started planning out my days and was only a few days in to using a calendar. But, as time went on I found out sticking to a schedule was a lot harder than I thought it was.
At first, I thought it was easy because I was following a schedule with success for about a week. But I quickly found out that all it takes is one interruption and you will quickly stop using your calendar as much to plan your day.
So I have been struggling lately to balance my freelancing business, my two blogs and my social/school life. Even with a schedule I have revised many times, I am just not always doing everything I should be doing!
So, I sat down one night and brainstormed ideas to start getting me back to following my old schedule. I wasn’t getting what I needed to get done, so I cleared my mind and wrote down all of the ideas in my head onto a piece of paper, and the below is what i came up with.
1. Set Schedules With Paper, not Apps
I use the default calendar on all Macs, iCal. As great as an interface as iCal has, I sometimes forgot it was there even after putting the icon in my dock. If I don’t have good access to my schedule, I can’t use it, and as a result – I won’t have a clear focus.
So since apps aren’t “in your face enough,” I write down my daily tasks on a piece of paper and stick it onto my cork board by my desk. Now, my schedule is always in the corner of my eye when I work and I will know that I have things to do that day.
I am also thinking about getting a whiteboard/chalkboard in my room in place of the cork board. It will make things stand out even more. In this case (take it however you’d like) “the bigger the better.”
2. Creating a Backup Schedule
This does require a little more work initially, but it can save you. After I completed my latest schedule, I thought it would be a good idea to create a second schedule just in case I couldn’t complete the tasks due to time restraints.
Take for example, my schedule for every Sunday:
- Write and schedule an article for Blogussion
- Write and schedule an article for Asnio.
- Market both blogs – 30 mins each
- Develop other personal projects
If something were to happen on Sunday, like I go to a Patriots game (I wish), some of the stuff I planned out initially will not be done that day because I will not have time to do them. So, what I would do for my backup schedule is take the most important tasks of my day and cut them down. So my backup schedule for Sunday looks like this:
- Write and and schedule article for Blogussion (if time allows. if not, mind map only)
- Write and and schedule article for Asnio (if time allows. if not, mind map only)
- If time allows – market
The point I am trying to get across with creating a backup schedule is do it if you can. If not, do as much as you can and save it for later as a top priority. So if I only do half of the post on Sunday, I will have to finish it on Monday and keep trying to juggle things around for the next days and try to get back on track.
The thing with schedules, you don’t have to follow them exactly as you set them. As long as you get the job done, that’s all that matters.
3. Twisting Your Mind
Lack of time hasn’t been the only factor as to why I haven’t been getting things done at the right time. I have been getting lazier and lazier on the weekends and getting less done. I like to focus on my blogs and take off from freelancing on the weekends, but sometimes I just don’t even have the motivation to start blogging and such.
Motivation can be a tough thing to keep going, especially on a blog. Things don’t go your way, you start to get less and less focused until you aren’t doing anything at all. It happens to all of us, and staying productive while blogging just isn’t as easy as people say it is.
I have been reading blogs like Zen Habits recently to help me stay productive. It helps, but I feel if you can twist your mind and make yourself change moods, you will find it very easy to do more work.
I have been training myself to change my moods from lazy to productive, and these are the two things I think about that really get me going:
The “Just do it” Thinking
I came up with a little trick for myself that gets me working every time. The three words I think about that instantly spark my productivity are the words “just do it.” It may work for you, and maybe not. It depends on your personality, but for me it works every time.
Sometimes I can forget about this trick, these three little words and stay unmotivated. But, I came up with an easy solution. I took a sticky note, wrote “Just do it” on it and stuck them to both of my computers. Now when I see a coding error in Internet Explorer 6, instead of “doing it later,” I look down and “just do it.”
Putting Accomplishments in Mind
The sense of accomplishment is one of the greatest emotional feelings out there. When you do something, like finish a blog post or checking off an item in your to-do list, you really earn that sense of accomplishment. It gets to your head, boosts your spirit and makes you want to do more work. It’s as easy as that, and if you want to break it down, just think about it just like this:
Don’t work just to do work, work for that feeling of self accomplishment
It’s really as easy as that.
More on Productivity
- Dealing with blogging challenges you just don’t see coming
- Preparing yourself for blogging: Offline
- Preparing yourself for blogging: Online
- Posting by obligation or free will?
- Giving and Receiving On Your Blog – When Do You Start Receiving?
4. Eliminating Distractions
Getting rid of distractions is not easy. Why? Distractions are meant to get us away from doing the things we are supposed to be doing, because sometimes we find that other thing more interesting than what we should be doing.
I can get very easily distracted in no time. I have a bunch of applications on my computer that can get me out of work mode and into “relax” mode when I don’t want to be. So, here are a few tips to eliminate distractions.
No television, no people, nothing
My TV is right next to my desk and my bed is right behind my desk. So much temptation to get me distracted and away from my work. Obviously you should never do work with your TV on because it’s something that can suck you in easily.
It’s essential to eliminate all over electronic devices around that can distract you. My phone can really get me unfocused, so it goes off when I get to work. In this modern world today, most distractions can go away with just a click of a button, so don’t be afraid to push that button when working!
Self-Discipline
Just like getting rid of distractions, you need to have good self discipline skills. When I set up my calendar, I set it up so I would complete every task when I was supposed to. Sometimes things you don’t see coming happen and may leave you with the choice to stick with your schedule or forget about it.
In other words:
Self-discipline refers to the training that one gives one’s self to accomplish a certain task or to adopt a particular pattern of behavior, even though one would really rather be doing something else. For example, denying oneself of an extravagant pleasure in order to accomplish a more demanding charitable deed.
It’s all up to you to make the right choice, I can’t really give you any advice for this since it’s really a personal battle. Just do whatever you think is best for you, that’s really all I can say!
Use Applications to eliminate onscreen distractions
Your computer holds many distractions. Internet, apps, chatting with friends and plenty others. Sometimes willpower alone isn’t enough to get all of these distractions out of your way. Here are a couple tools you can use:
Concentrate Mac App
The tool I use, basically you create a list of tasks you need to do and tell it to perform specific actions. So, when I go to write a blog post, I create a task name called “Blogging” and I can perform a variety of actions. I will tell it to run Firefox and Scrivener, and close Adium and TweetDeck. It will perform those actions and get me into the task at hand!
Download or buy
Dropcloth for Windows
Dropcloth is a simple application that overlays a solid colored window on top of your desktop. Especially handy for clearing your desktop for screenshots and screencasts, or just getting rid of all the distraction in front of you so that you can focus on just one application without closing out of anything or clearing off your desktop.
WriteRoom
Walk into WriteRoom, and watch your distractions fade away. Now it’s just you and your text. WriteRoom is a place where your mind clears and your work gets done. When your writing is complete, exit WriteRoom and re-enter the busy world with your work in hand.
How much more productive are you now?
If you read through that 1,800 word article, then congrats! There was a lot of information in this article and may take a little time to digest.
But, has this article opened your eyes a little bit? How do you plan out your day of work? Share it with us in the comments, it’s sure to be an intriguing discussion!
The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?This is an awesome article! I’ve always advocated sticking to a schedule. I think I get so much done when I do. I too like to use a paper schedule instead of an electronic one because I like picking up my schedule and crossing out to-dos as I finish them.
The thing about having a schedule though, is that, like you said, you can’t always follow it precisely. However, the schedule isn’t supposed to control you; it’s supposed to guide you and help you have a more productive day. Excellent article Alex!
Thanks TIm!
If I map out what I need to do the day before, then I find I get a lot more done rather then sitting there and planning out my whole week. I try and combine the two techniques of scheduling, and it is just helping me get through the things I need to do.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
do you use backup buddy? or what wordpress backup plugin do you use, because i doubt you do the backup manually
Yes the schedule is not supposed to control you but sometimes when you are running late, you feel stressed out. You do your best to stick to the plan but what happens when you cannot do that? How do you deal with the stress? Do er push ourselves too hard sometimes? I ask this because, I find people asking me the same thing and that is what I say, the schedule is not supposed to control you. It should be something that plans our activities and guides us.
For Bloggers Who want to Stop Writers’ Block
Another fun way for you to try to write a draft post is to go outside, sit and record it on a dictophone of some sort. Once it’s done, then you can write it up later when you’re back at your computer.
I also agree with pen and paper as been superior to apps when it comes to planning.
.-= Gordie Rogers´s last blog ..Saturday Spew and Shout Out: September 26th 2009. =-.
I have to admit that when it’s nice out I do like to go outside on my laptop and start writing. It’s such a creative place where I go, and I can find inspiration like nowhere else.
But, it’s New Jersey and the weather is starting to turn for the worse again. It’s just that time of the year here!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Writing on paper…what a concept! I totally agree – I use little neon sticky notes whenever I want to remembers something important. The color really grabs your attention if you stick them on your monitor.
.-= Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last blog ..Today’s Make Money Tip – Power up via PLR =-.
Exactly my thoughts Barbara! Glad we’re on the same page.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
“I am also thinking about getting a whiteboard/chalkboard”
Actually many internet marketing gurus recommend using whiteboard to generate ideas and write your schedule. It’s somehow makes you more productive…
I read Zen Habit on occasion, because I just so damn lazy to read sometimes. So I mostly just listen to Anthony Robbins (The Personal Power 2 and Time of Your Life) audios CDs over and over again. Usually I start my morning with this ^-^
Whoa, how Mac have that awesome Concentrate Mac App?! As a Windows user I’m extremely jealous…-_-
Btw, another great post, Alex.
.-= Andi | Web Marketer Depot´s last blog ..8 Ways to Building Lists of Subscribers Fast =-.
I totally see how a whiteboard can boost your productivity and after writing this post I added it to my “things I want list.” I have the perfect place for it, and I know it’s going to be put to great use!
Music and reading are great ways to get inspired! That’s how I do it too.
Macs have a lot of better apps than Windows do. :p But I love using Concentrate, it’s really remarkable and simple.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
The best thing I did was moving the tv away from the pc, I have got billions of things done by not washing my brain with inane tv stuff. that, and your tip of “just do it” that I already use. It’s amazing what can be achieved with just a little bit of change to your normal operating procedure!
.-= Andy Bailey´s last blog ..Twitter Field in all comment forms =-.
Hey Andy! Thanks for stopping by. Just want to tell you – I love CommentLuv on my blog and I know my readers do too.
I really can’t move my TV right now as I don’t have an office for myself, but it has been very easy to keep it off while I work. But, it gets harder when Scrubs is on…I love that show man.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Very nicely put about the distractions. It is one thing that primarily disrupts the flow of my writing and effectively the blog post. I think every blogger should work hard to keep distractions in check.
Nice post
.-= Ashwin / Thoughts Unlimited´s last blog ..Create Newsletter from your Blog RSS Feed using MailChimp =-.
It’s hard to get rid of them, but it’s vital that you do it!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
I usually plan my work around my wife’s favorite tv shows, that way I know for a fact I can have a couple of hours for myself and get some work done.
.-= KalibreOnline -Games, Life and Ent´s last blog ..screenshot98-screenshot_viewer_medium =-.
I plan my schedule around not just school or my social life – but my favorite TV shows too! Glad I’m not the only one who does that, really.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Recently I’ve been creating daily to-do lists. On these lists I include everything that I need to do that day. For example, “email (names), negotiations assignment, services marketing assignment, new header, reply to comments, read Blogussion
, make a sandwich for lunch, cook spaghetti for dinner, laundry (whites and darks), go to bathroom (x5), etc.”
I’ve found that the more things I get to cross off, the more productive I feel. Then this motivates me to do other things. It’s somewhat facetious, but it works!
.-= Nick Tart | JuniorBiz´s last blog ..Don’t Buy a Book Without Finding Where It’s Cheapest =-.
When I create my todo lists, I always work hard so I can cross it off my list. It is so much more satisfying to cross out a item on my todo list that I have written out on paper rather than click a check box in an app saying I’m done. That is another reason why I prefer todo lists on paper.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Just do it works for me too. Some of us are a little whimsical and thrive on spontaneity.
I think finding what works for your personality is the best way to go.
Schedules for me are just a guarantee to fail. But that’s just me :~
.-= Niche´s last blog ..In Niche Marketing Quantity Matters Also =-.
Sometimes I am most productive if I do what I feel like doing, and feel less productive when I go by a schedule. I just do what I feel like I could do best since the quality of work will be much better.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Schedules kill me, I don’t know, its just not in my personality
I go to sleep and wake up at seemingly random times (someone once said that’s the very definition of rest & vacation, regardless of how much you actually accomplish).
But I like the organization of ideas on real pen and paper – I’m with Barbara Ling when it comes to neon sticky notes. They’re everywhere, and they’ve got months and months worth of work for me to do!
.-= John´s last blog ..SEO – The Reality is Staggering =-.
Yeah, I know how you feel. It can get very stressful to try and follow a schedule.
Sticky notes are effective, but I would rather use a whiteboard!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Very nicely put abiut the distractions. It is one thing that primarily disrupts the flow of my writing and effectively the blog post. I think every blogger should work hard to keep distractions in check.
Nice post
.-= Ashwin / Thoughts Unlimited´s last blog ..<a href=&2uot;http://thoughtsunlimited.net/blog/2009/08/create-newsletter-rss-feed-mailchimp">Create Newsletter from your Blog RSS Feed using MailChimp</a> =-.;
Working hard pays off, especially if you can work hard distraction free.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
I believe scheduling is very important not only on blogging but on every day to day task or job we do. Schedulling will help us to plan and keep track what jobs that already done.
Scheduling is very hard but it will keep ourself more dicipline.
.-= Drifin´s last blog ..Work at home money =-.
Schedules have their advantages and disadvantages, but I personally hate having to do the same stuff every day. I like a little variation in my work flow. How do you work?
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Useful post, eliminating distractions from d workplace is very important, distractionscan get your mind diverted while trying to reach you goal.
You should stay focused by planning all your work on a priority basis, putting off distractions and keep yourself engaged and can never get distracted.
.-= Web Hosting Blog´s last blog ..Windows 7, a month away (part2) =-.
When football is on, I have trouble keeping the TV, a huge distraction, off. That’s why I either get my most important work done before or after the game(s), never during.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
I have encountered this on my blog, when one reader actually asked me if I do have a blogging schedule coz he has waiting for my next post. It was quite embarrassing coz I think not having a blogging schedule reflects your blogging as somewhat a lazy endeavor.
That means there is a need for a change of attitude on this one.
It is very embarrassing when a reader has to push you to start posting!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Well basically I can say I have become a lot more productive than what I used to be early this year. I started organizing my tasks, eliminating distractions but still I still have a long way. I mean on some days it just doesn’t work..
.-= Melvin´s last blog ..Do You Appreciate Your Readers? =-.
I know how you feel, sometimes I just can’t get to work no matter how organized I get myself. I think school just makes me so unproductive a lot of times…
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
I understand uyour points Alex. I’m a very creative person and schedules if they are just too tight feel like a prison to me. If it’s a loose schedule meaning in this block of time I’ll do this and in that block of time I’ll do that Im ok. so i always write down what cant be put off and do those immediately. And that way I’m free to be productive in my own way and style. It’s definitely not a corporate style but it gets the job done and I’m happy at the same time. I do like your suggestions on cutting out sitractions. Sometimes the tasks that we perfrom asre so utterly boring thought that a little T.V. while doing them is actually a motivator – LOL. An example of a task like this is filing and accounting. Anything to make it more fun
Thanks for your ideas I’ll try to incorpoate some of them to my style and personality.
All the best,
Eren
.-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Whitney Houston on Oprah Winfrey show interview for new cd =-.
Usually I write very minimal tasks on my whiteboard, like “email someone” or “reply to a comment” just to get me into the productive feeling. Once I start crossing things off and finish all these little tasks, I am ready for the bigger tasks like marketing and designing. That’s how I make my schedules feel less like a prison, and it does work usually!
Sometimes TV can get motivated, but I tend not to use it as a motivator because if I see one of my favorite shows on, I will just get sucked right in!
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Hi Alex, I agree with the number 1, sometimes technology can’t help us, even they are very smart and very simple to use. But still, writing down the schedule on a paper is the way that people will do it without any problem.
.-= Reza Winandar´s last blog ..5 Tips to Increase the Number of Subscribers for Beginner =-.
Definitely, I use a whiteboard now (just got one yesterday) and I have been writing my to do list on it. It’s been very easy, and since it’s so big it’s always in my face and I know what I need to do.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Well I say you have finely defined the important factors to carry on with our schedules. The truth is, no matter what kind of setup or preparation we made, if we don’t have our full dedication to our goals, we will achieve nothing. It will all start deep within us.
It’s a very psychological thing to get work done, and I agree with you Walter – if you’re not feeling it then your work is going to show that.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Timely post, Alex. As a freelancer, it’s something I struggle with all the time. In fact, I just wrote a post — outside my niche, I’m sure — about one of the struggles of self-employment: resenting my boss (me) and her sometimes unreasonable expectations.
Even if I don’t follow it precisely, it really helps me to have a printed schedule that assigns particular hours of the day to different responsibilities. If you tell yourself you have to quit at a certain time, it helps you to use that time more effectively, whether it’s for blogging, working for a client, or housework! And according to my schedule, I’m 30 minutes late already….
I find a schedule that is printed works best too! Otherwise it is easy to push away and make excuses. I also find having a place to work outside of the place you relax is really important. I do most of my work in a different room, school, or library so that I can get in the mood for working and staying on task.
.-= Seth´s last blog ..How to Create A Schedule You Will Actually Stick With =-.
When I freelance, I try to get it all down in one four hour work period a day. It’s a lot of time to be in front of a computer, and if it weren’t for the little breaks I took in between – I wouldn’t make it. Sometimes I do hate it, but it’s something you just have to do.
One of the ideas I live by is: as long as it gets done right, it shouldn’t matter when it’s done. If I decided to do something early because I really wanted to do it now, I would drop my other task for that moment and do it now. It’s better to do things as you feel you should so you produce your most quality work.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
I don’t actually have a routine at all, I think that since I have been raising kids for about 28 years I have learned to be disciplined and can manage to see any opportunity!!
But, yes….WriteRoom is Awesome!! it takes me such a great place, that and some headphones and off I go straight into my head.
28 years would do it. I’m only 16, so I guess my mom has a way to go before she’s at your level. :p But really, good for you! I need to start disciplining myself a lot better than I do now.
.-= Alex´s last blog ..8 Funny Things I Learned From Designing That I Apply to Life =-.
Thanks for your lovely and helpful tips! To be frank, it is indeed possible to stick to the schedule if we follow some regular guidelines. Working just for the sake of working wont helpin any case. We must love our work and aim at accomplishing our target.
.-= Tech-Freak Stuff´s last blog ..Did your Wordpress Blog ever go Blank? Not yet? But, It can happen with you too, So be prepared for it! =-.
Very good post!
You should read Darren Rowse’s post that links to this. Amazing!
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2009/10/26/how-to-get-past-the-blank-page-by-creating-urgency/
.-= Shane Hudson´s last blog ..A Taste Of Things To Come =-.
fortunately I dont watch TV anyway. And when the mood hits, I can write many blog posts and schedule them to publish in future.
.-= scheng1´s last blog ..How to Save Money Part Two =-.
Very nice post. Planning should be done to have a guide. The guide will help you to the step by step success you wanted.
Hey Alex! Great article… I was planning to create an editorial calendar and was looking for samples around this site and stumbled upon this article. I have a few pointers now, and will try the app you recommended for mac… Love blogussion!
Can’t wait for the thesis theme site launch on Jan 1st! 
[I will be ur first buyer if the theme is as nifty as the blogussion site]… all the best!
One months ago I donwnloaded a blogging calendar from bloggingshelf.com and made a schedule what to do every days. But the schedule was never followed
Comments on this entry are closed.