How to Make a Time Schedule

Organization is an important component to time management.

In a society of continually multiplying demands upon our time, learning how to manage your time has become more important than ever. Not only does time management increase productivity and limit potential procrastination, but it can create more leisure time for your enjoyment. Making a time schedule is one of the first steps to better time management, and is an invaluable tool in effectively managing your time.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Ruler
• Pen
• Crayons/markers/colored pencils

Instructions

Create a Time Schedule

1. Orient the paper in the "landscape" direction. On the top of the paper (the "long side of the paper") measure one inch down on the right and left, and make a small mark. Line the ruler up with each mark, and slowly trace a line across. Above this line, make columns for each day of the week, leaving one extra column blank on the left side.

2. Label each hour of the day in the blank column on the left. Some people may wish to label the hours 8 to 6, or something similar, if they generally do not have evening events scheduled. Others may prefer to mark down all 24 hours of the day. This decision is a matter of personal preference---it's up to you!

3. Create "time cells" by filling in the lines between columns and rows using your ruler.

Fill In Your Schedule

1. Fill in your schedule. First consider items that are "absolute" commitments, such as work hours or appointments. Prioritize your other commitments in order of importance. Some things to consider when blocking out your time are daily chores, exercise, events, and time needed to pursue hobbies.

2. Utilize time-saving strategies. Some suggestions include "clustering" like tasks; for instance, complete grocery shopping and banking in the same trip, to save on travel time. Another great way to cluster time commitments is incorporating hobbies or exercise into your social calendar. Not only does it save time to work out with a friend rather than meet them for coffee, but it will improve motivation, thereby positively impacting your health.

3. Think critically about your time schedule. If any items can be eliminated or your time better utilized, make the needed changes.

4. Consider color coding items, such as personal commitments, professional commitments and family commitments. This way, you can tell from your time schedule "at a glance" what your day or week will look like.

Tips & Warnings

• Descriptions are not necessary in the cells as this will crowd your schedule - the purpose of this is not a "to-do" list or task organizer, but a way of simply and quickly managing your time. Use quick 2 - 3 word descriptions only.

• Do not over-schedule. Leave some time blocks empty for spontaneous decisions or last-minute events/tasks.

References

• Columbia: Making a Schedule