Three Powerful Appointments to Supercharge Your Productivity

There has been plenty of discussion about how a calendar can fit into one’s productivity system. The general rule is that you add scheduled appointments to your calendar, and your tasks should be placed into the task management system that you use. However, what often isn’t discussed is precisely what appointments you should be putting in your calendar to maximize your time and ensure you stay productive. Here are the three types of appointments you should add to your schedule to create an effective productivity system.

General Appointments

These are the regular appointments that you may schedule throughout your week, such as doctor visits or business lunches. They are relatively general in nature and can be moved if needed, provided enough notice is given and both parties can accommodate the change. However, it’s best to avoid rescheduling these appointments whenever possible to maintain consistency.

Self-Appointments

These are the appointments that you make with yourself. They can be blocks of time that you schedule to work on projects and tasks without interruption. While you can move these appointments, it’s more beneficial to create a framework that keeps them as static as possible.

Aim to schedule 90-minute intervals during the day when you can work regularly, fostering a habit that enhances productivity. Break up these intervals with flexible breaks where nothing is set in stone. Consider using The Pomodoro Technique to divide larger blocks into smaller, manageable chunks, allowing you to move seamlessly from task to task. Keep these time blocks nimble enough to adjust them to different hours if necessary.

Team Appointments

Team appointments are essential for collaborative efforts and should be scheduled after locking in the other two types of appointments. While this approach can make it more challenging to plan these meetings, tools like Doodle, Google Calendar, or Tungle.me can help you find optimal times when most of the team can be present.

By keeping these three types of appointments in mind, your calendar will become a powerful tool that creates time and space for yourself, significantly boosting your productivity.

Embrace these strategies, and watch as your productivity soars to new heights!