Having a plan for the day is a practice we often hear about right from the early days of our corporate journey. Many of us strive to follow it diligently, but more often than not, we find ourselves abandoning it midway. The reason? Well, most of the items on our to-do list remain unchecked, leading us to believe that daily planning isn't as effective as touted. Sometimes, we may feel that creating a realistic plan requires time that we simply don't have, or we might find the act of planning itself overwhelming.

I've been through these phases myself, constantly struggling to build the habit of creating a daily plan. It was a goal I had on my to-do list for quite some time because I understood the benefits - managing tasks effectively and reducing stress levels. So, I decided to delve deeper, do some research, and devise a strategy that worked wonders for me.

Here's what I discovered and how it transformed my productivity:

Setting Clear Goals: At the start of each day, I allocate a specific number of hours for work (e.g., 6 hours). Then, I meticulously list down every task, even the smallest ones like 15 minutes of LinkedIn surfing, in my notepad.

Time Allocation: To ensure I stay on track, I set a timer for each task. This simple practice helped me stay focused and complete tasks within the allocated time.

Learning and Adapting: Whenever I exceeded the allocated time for a task, I made a note of it and analyzed why it happened. This information went into my "What I can do better" section in my journal. It motivated me to improve my time estimation skills and adjust my schedule accordingly.

Adding Value: Daily plans significantly contributed to my growth. Adding estimated times to tasks resulted in remarkable improvements in productivity and task management.

For reference, here's an example of my plan for a typical day:

• Morning Reading & Drinking a glass of hot water: 20 mins
• Exercise: 45 mins
• Meditation: 10 mins
• LinkedIn: 30 mins
• Article Research: 1 hour
• Blog Reviews: 30 mins

The key to the success of this productivity strategy lies in understanding the importance of task estimation and continuous improvement in this skill. It's not about one strategy fitting every task; continuous learning and improvement are vital.

Here are a few work habits that can help get better results:

Draw from Experience: Tasks that I have gained experience in allow me to create realistic estimates and handle unexpected scenarios effectively. Experience is a great teacher, and it helps in providing accurate estimations.

Break Down Complex Tasks: For complex and unfamiliar tasks, I follow a common strategy of breaking them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach allows me to come up with rough estimates for each sub-task, which I then verify with experienced individuals in that specific area. Asking questions and collecting information from experienced people help in refining the estimates and understanding potential challenges.

Reflect and Improve: After completing tasks, I allocate time to reflect on my performance and note down areas for improvement in my estimates. This reflective practice helps me learn from my experiences and get better at estimating tasks over time.

Additionally, making myself proactively available to others for guidance in areas where I have gained knowledge not only helps me reinforce my understanding but also allows me to share insights and collaborate effectively.

By incorporating these tips into my daily planning routine, I've witnessed remarkable improvements in productivity and task management. Daily plans, when coupled with accurate task estimation, add immense value to personal and professional growth.

Remember, the key to making daily plans work effectively is not just listing tasks but also adding estimates to them. This practice can lead to remarkable results in productivity and time management.