rob’s guide to getting your sh&t together

the organize your practice starter kit

a 6-step guide to creating a simple, daily practice schedule in order to:
- maximize your time
- reduces stress, and
- show up 100% prepared to every performance.

1. choose a scheduling method

a. it should be comfortable and convenient
b. it should be easy to edit (because you will get off track)
c. try one of these:


evernote trello asana paper and pencil microsoft word calendar (digital
or electronic)

1.
2. write out all your upcoming deadlines
a. use the first rehearsal date, not the performance date.
b. get everything out of your head and onto this list, no matter how big or small.
i. the more you keep inside your brain, the more stress you’ll constantly feel as you randomly remember
things that you have to do.

3. write out a complete to-do list

a. make a separate to-do list for each deadline.
b. it should include everything that you would ideally do before the deadline to be 100% prepared.
c. expect your plan to change as the project unfolds. this is just a first draft.

4. write out your available practice sessions

a. your schedule starts tomorrow (take the rest of today off!) and ends on the date of the final deadline.
b. again - expect your plans to change.
i. err on the side of fewer and shorter practice sessions. you’ll thank yourself later.

5. sort your work into days

a. start with the most important deadlines first.
b. under-schedule yourself.
i. if you over-schedule, you’ll constantly feel behind and it’s more likely to give up on the schedule
completely.
c. give yourself one day off per week.
d. once you run out of available days, start crossing off the least impactful items on your to-do list
i. if you don’t do this now, you’ll be forced to cut out more important work later.

6. and finally, just complete these simple tasks every day:

a. your pre-assigned to-dos.
b. review and update your schedule.

that’s it! learn more in the organize your practice online course available at
robknopper.com/organize.