Comments on: If you can’t work, plan

By: Kelly Cook

Kelly Cook — Wed, 17 May 2023 14:23:47 +0000

I had to return the library copy of your book before I got to the why of planning on Friday. I did read that it could be any day, but I’m glad to know your reasoning. It confirms for me than Sunday afternoon is still my best planning time.

By: Kelly Cook

Kelly Cook — Wed, 17 May 2023 14:21:37 +0000

In reply to Coree. Sounds like a delightful way to recover!

By: Kelly Cook

Kelly Cook — Wed, 17 May 2023 14:19:34 +0000

In reply to SHU. I agree with you. Certain planning takes a bit of mental clarity.

By: Lily

Lily — Sat, 13 May 2023 21:59:44 +0000

In reply to SHU.

Oh wow – such an ‘ah ha!’ moment from this comment (and others below) – I love Laura’s tips and TBT but I have been really struggling to find a planning timeslot that works for me. I’ve just realised that for me, planning is an activity that takes a lot of energy – managing my emotions in the face of overwhelm, trying to make the pieces fit together, thinking strategically… so perhaps a morning slot instead of afternoon will be better.

By: Lori C

Lori C — Sat, 13 May 2023 02:15:13 +0000

I have fully embraced this TBT tip and often spend time Fridays planning meals, groceries, weekend fun, the next week etc!

By: Coree

Coree — Fri, 12 May 2023 06:31:34 +0000

I love this! During the teaching term, prepping lectures is my default low energy activity, to the point that I won’t let myself write lectures the first half of the week when I tend to be peppier, etc.

Using Friday PM to plan, clear the decks, tidy up a space, can really help.

However, I’m currently mentally and physically exhausted and yesterday afternoon, I finished the webinar I was on, got my book, tea, and some chocolate, and went and read in the garden for the rest of the afternoon. And I felt loads better than if I had tried to power through. It was better to read a good book than half heartedly poke through email.

By: Elisabeth

Elisabeth — Thu, 11 May 2023 19:12:54 +0000

Yes, yes, yes! This reframing of time is so helpful for me. A friend told me earlier this year that she tells herself to “Start with the easy stuff”, and it has become a new motto for me when I’m feeling stuck or uninspired or tired. Almost always, I get back to my highish-level of functioning quickly enough that nothing falls through the cracks and I get there faster if I’m gentle to myself. But being gentle doesn’t mean I can’t be productive. Maybe I can’t put together that tricky grant application, but I can set up meeting invites for the week or do a load of laundry.

By: SHU

SHU — Thu, 11 May 2023 18:35:26 +0000

Very interesting! I actually find some types of planning to be higher level thinking than many people think it ‘should be’ and perhaps even harder than completing certain tasks. Though it is definitely true that all planning is not created equal. For me, meal planning for example doesn’t take much brainpower and might be a great downtime activity. But the actual thinking like WHAT should I focus on next week/month/etc actually does take a decent chunk mental energy for me and feels worth doing when I’m on the fresher side!

(Sorting/organizing is also lower energy work- for me 🙂 So down time might be best used to triage email or go through the physical inboxes on my desk!)