Episode 34 | Managing Your Calendar Effectively

Episode Summary

In this episode, Niamh Moynihan discusses how to use your work calendar as a powerful tool to reclaim your time, manage expectations, and reduce stress.

Whether you're scheduling meetings, planning solo work, or striving for work-life balance, these practical tips will help you take control of your calendar and create a more productive and fulfilling workday.

Key Takeaways:

Your Calendar as a Tool, Not a Trap:

• Stop relying on others to check your calendar for conflicts—own your time and manage it proactively.
• Use your calendar to organise commitments, manage workload, and prioritise what matters most.

Add Personal Events to Your Work Calendar:

• Include private events like workouts, family time, or appointments to see a full picture of your week.
• Adjust your work schedule based on energy levels before or after key personal commitments.

Differentiate Busy and Tentative Events:

• Use "Busy" for must-do commitments and "Tentative" for tasks or events with flexibility.
• Avoid overpacking your week by leaving white space for unexpected tasks or rest.

Optimise Your Calendar Appointments:

• Add links and attachments to your calendar events to keep all resources at your fingertips.
• Plan follow-up time after meetings to action key points immediately.

Reimagine Meetings as Mini-Workshops:

• Combine updates and actionable work into a single session to save time and improve efficiency.

Track Your Progress with Colour Coding:

• Mark completed events in green to visually track your accomplishments and build confidence.

Use Your Calendar to Make Informed Decisions:

• A well-managed calendar helps you confidently say yes or no to new requests based on your actual capacity.

Practical Tips from the Episode:

• Include Everything You Need: For tasks or meetings, link files, documents, or tools directly in the calendar event to avoid distractions and stay organised.
• Leave Space for Flexibility: Avoid filling your calendar to the brim; leave white space for unplanned work and rest.
• Colour Code for Clarity: Use colours to track progress, flag priorities, and create a sense of accomplishment.
• Balance Work and Life: Adding personal commitments to your work calendar ensures you maintain a healthy balance and realistic expectations.

Until next time, stay well and have a better workday!

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