Whether you’re preparing for a footrace or just need to get things done around the house, sticking to a schedule can be difficult. This can be due to thinking about something else, an interruption, or any other myriad of factors that keep us from getting done the things we’ve set out to do. If you often find yourself telling yourself that you will get this and that done, but then have a hard time following through, take a deep breath. You aren’t alone.

However, sticking to a schedule is not good only for getting things done – it is good for your health. Finishing what you set out to do brings about a sense of accomplishment, which in turn can lead to a release of dopamine in the brain. This can prevent depression, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even help prevent the risk of heart attack. And of course, following a schedule helps you get things done quicker, freeing up more time for other things.

With these things in mind, let’s now look at our 9 tips for sticking to your schedule.

Tip 1 : Get Rid of Negativity

One of the most common reasons people don’t stick to a schedule is that they never even start – and while this can be because of several reasons, one of the most common is fear of failure. Take some time to take stock of what you want to accomplish and get rid of the notion that you can’t do it. Whether this means suppressing your own negative thoughts, or shutting out naysayers, getting rid of negativity will put you in a better frame of mind to set about staying focused on the task or tasks before you.

Tip 2 : Talk to People Who Inspire You

Sometimes we need an extra boost in confidence before we get started on something. Find someone you admire and reach out to that person. Seek advice or just listen to how they were able to set goals and follow through with their plans. More often than not, you will see that setting a schedule was an integral part of their success. That is why one of the 9 tips for sticking to your schedule is to simply speak with someone who has been there before. Learn and be inspired.

Tip 3 : Get Plenty of Rest

People often confuse setting a schedule for setting a specific timeline. While a timeline can be part of a schedule, the two are not mutually inclusive. Don’t be in a rush to get to work on a task as soon as you’ve decided what it is that you want to do. If a great idea comes to you right before you are about to go to sleep, write it down and leave it for the next day when you’ve had rest and feel re-energized.

Tip 4 : Plan Ahead of Time

It may go without saying, but there should be a space of time in between planning and executing. Decide what you are going to do and set your schedule. Be mindful of your various other responsibilities and be sure that your new schedule does not conflict with any of them. If you can, change the things you do around to better reflect the state of mind you are in during that particular part of the day. For example, if you like to clean the floors in the morning after breakfast, but find yourself doing it in the afternoon, try to schedule floor cleaning for the morning.

Tip 5 : Prioritize

Take stock of what you need to accomplish and what you want to get done. Put your needs before your wants and organize what you’ll do by order of importance. Perhaps you want to watch re-runs of your favorite TV show, but you also have a ten-page report to hand in to your boss. Schedule re-runs for after the report is finished. Prioritizing ensures that you get the most important things done first.

Tip 6 : Eat Regular Meals

Everything we do requires that we use our brains, and while we may often think of energy as something we need when we are physically active, the fact is we need to make sure we have adequate energy even when we are engaging in more mental than physical activity. The reason for this is that the brain gets is energy from glucose, a simple sugar we get when we eat. Of course, having too much sugar or the wrong types of sugar can be bad for us, so be sure to eat regular, healthy meals so that you can plan and carry out your schedule most effectively.

Tip 7 : Do What Needs to be Done Even if You Don’t Want To

Unfortunately, not everything that we need to do is as enjoyable as running on the beach. Sad to say, but these 9 tips for sticking to your schedule won’t include any pointers for making shoveling snow or cleaning windows more fun (other than to suggest listening to music while you do it). Maybe the task you need to complete isn’t unpleasant, but you had to schedule at a less than desirable time. Even when you are fully prepared, alert, and have had a good meal, there are times when you will just have to bite the bullet and get things done.

Tip 8 : Allow For Breaks

It’s important that when you make your schedule, you do not schedule too many projects at once. Make sure you allow time for your family, your friends, and most importantly – for yourself. You aren’t a robot, so don’t treat yourself like one. A day goes more smoothly if you set a schedule and keep to it, but be sure to allow for other things and even some spontaneity. Being too strict about a schedule can lead to high levels of stress and may result in you abandoning your schedule altogether; not to mention it can wreak havoc on your health.

Tip 9 : Exercise

We end our 9 tips for sticking to your schedule with a reminder to keep fit. One of the best ways to do this is to go out for a run. If you don’t yet have a pair of reliable running shoes, typing in “plantar fasciitis shoes 2020” will give you instant access to the newest models on the market. Going out for a short jog is a great way to take your mind off the current task and let your mind wander. It is this abstract thinking that may allow you to figure out a better way to go about your schedule. Furthermore, studies have shown that getting exercise puts us in a better mood and makes us more likely to follow through with plans we set for ourselves.

So there you have it – 9 tips for sticking to your schedule. As you can see from our list, most of sticking to a schedule actually involves mental preparation. The doing is the easy part. Know what you want to do, be confident, prioritize, and get things done. Don’t forget that there will be bumps along the way. Rather than let the side roads detour you, just find the nearest path back to the road you set out to travel.