Setting Up Your Daily Planner

Goal

Create a doable plan using time estimates and a visual schedule.

Step-by-step

Step 1 — Add your tasks for the day

• Put your must-do items into Today

• Keep the list short and intentional

Step 2 — Add time estimates

• Add an estimate for each task (15m, 30m, 1h, etc.)

• If unsure, estimate high (it reduces schedule stress)

Step 3 — Drag tasks into your day

• Drag tasks into open spaces on your schedule

• Leave buffers between deep work blocks

Step 4 — Adjust during the day

• If something runs long, shift the next task instead of abandoning the plan

• Reschedule tasks you won’t finish (don’t let them rot)

A simple planning template (works for most people)

• 1 deep work block (60–90m)

• 1 admin block (30–45m)

• 1 follow-up block (30–45m)

• 1 flexible buffer (30m)