I often find that the best way for me to make plans for my next work day is to look back over what I have accomplished during the current day. This means that if I’m keeping track of what I am doing during the day, I should be able to do a quick review, see what has been accomplished and what is being left unfinished, and decide what needs to be scheduled for the next work day.
I know someone who does not keep an hourly log for the work she does, but at the end of every day, while her computer is shutting down, she goes back over what has been done for the day and makes a “to do” list for the next day based on what has already been done and what is leftover. This way, she does not have to come to her desk in the morning and try to remember where she was and what projects she needs to dig right in to.
A review session does not have to be long and drawn out. If you are keeping a date book or schedule or a log of the work that you are doing, you can just look that over and see where things stand. Do not forget to take into account any e-mails or phone calls that have been made or need to be followed up on the next day. It may be easy to forget these details that can take up so much of our work days.
I find that doing a review and making a plan for the next day is especially helpful on a Friday or the last day of work for a few days. When I have to go away on business trips, I find a good review and making my “to do” list in advance of leaving (to look at when I return and get back to my desk) can keep me from losing ground and having to retrace my steps.
Also: Charting and Mapping Income
Why Organization is Liberating