This is the 3rd and final part in our 3-part video series on time management. We’ve already covered The Time Log and the Skills/Value Matrix. The Default Diary builds on these to give you the ideal structure for your week.

Once you’ve complete the 1st two steps you will have delegated the lower-value tasks and be left with a list of regular tasks that you should be focused on to manage and develop your business. Now it’s time to map out these regular tasks in a way that gives you structure and consistency so that everything that should get done, does get done.

We do this by using the attached Default Diary template (see link). Print this out and then block out chunks of time for all of your important and regular tasks. Watch the video to get a better understanding of this.

[Link] Default Diary Template

By chunking out time you will work in productive blocks instead of “chopping and changing” between tasks. Being reactive and unstructured is a sure-fire way to be unproductive. By creating more structure around your “ideal week” you have a much better chance of getting the important things done instead of getting distracted. Have a look at these real-world examples of (1st cut) default diaries that some of our clients have put together…

[Link] Real-world examples of Default Diaries

Now, don’t expect to be able to follow your default diary 100% of the time. If you can follow it 70-80% of the time then this will be a fantastic achievement. Also feel free to try it and modify it until you find a structure that works for you. It might be just allocating time for your regular meetings, or just splitting your days into mornings and afternoons instead of down to the hour. Different levels of detail work for different people but more structure is definitely better than no structure at all.