what’s important with this strategy is that you maintain clarity and control over your schedule, and deploy it to keep your workload reasonable, regardless of how you define this condition.
Cal Newport • Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout
I actually start off with a pretty much blank slate, and then ask myself what I want to accomplish during the day. And then I start there and say no to everything else. So sometimes my days, surprisingly, have almost nothing on them. And sometimes my days are very full. But it's not unusual that they are almost blank.
Daniel Ek • A Chat With The King of Music: An Interview With Daniel Ek
Dedicate different times of day to different activities: creative work, meetings, correspondence, administrative work, and so on. These hard edges keep tasks from taking longer than they need to and encroaching on your other important work. They also help you avoid workaholism, which is far less productive than it looks.
99U • Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (99U)
When needed, I place one- to two-hour appointments on my calendar labeled simply “Tasks.” During those appointments, I work down my Now Tasks list, trying to complete as many tasks on my list as possible.
Michael Linenberger • Master Your Workday Now: Proven Strategi
Simply place your notes from every meeting (regardless of project) at the top of a Reference pile immediately after each meeting. Every month, place this pile into a date-labeled file folder. With the help of your datebook, you should be able to easily jump back to the notes and other References related to any
Scott Belsky • Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality
When you’re done scheduling your day, every minute should be part of a block. You have, in effect, given every minute of your workday a job. Now as you go through your day, use this schedule to guide you.