The way to optimize your time so that you can achieve your goals is in the ability to do what is the most important action to take at a given time. Just getting up in the morning and doing what others have decided you should do will help achieve their goals and not yours. Even “to do lists” if not properly planned will not be all that helpful.

First you need to set your goals. Remember that this includes both business and personal goals. For action planning purposes, list the goals that need action in the next twelve months. Then, prioritize the goals. For each of these goals, write down the action steps together with start and end times wherever possible.

It is best to review the long-term goals quarterly to ensure progress and make any adjustments as needed.

You should do your planning weekly. Your appointments that have already been fixed will be inserted into your planning document first. Then review the activities of your previous week. For those that need further action, update time slots into your plan.