How to Create a Daily Docket

After months of preaching the merits of making a daily plan, called a daily docket, I sat down and created this video on the process of creating a daily docket.

HOW TO CREATE A DAILY DOCKET

NOTE: The process is the same for electronic dockets, paper dockets, or a combination of the two.

1. Choose a useful form.

In this picture, I am using a blank post-it sticky note on my dashboard.

2. Date the docket.

3. Add events and appointments.

Events and appointments will come from the monthly calendar page, and, if the planner has a list of weekly repeating events (as pictured below in the first green circle from the left), from the list of repeating events.

TIP: If using electronic and paper documents, this is the only place where duplicating the information onto both dockets is appropriate. 

No matter where I am - at home, at the computer, or on the road - I want to know what is coming up on the schedule. That does not mean I will copy everything everywhere, but I think about the big stuff, like going to a wedding tonight, affecting me whether I am driving to carpool (e.g., no stopping at the grocery store on the way home because I need to get dressed for the wedding) or doing my computer work (e.g., no putting anything off since I have an event tonight).

4. Add information from prep lists to docket.

Prep lists are little packing lists that are kept for routine activities. They can be kept in planner files or electronically.

TIP: Put as much stuff in the launchpad area, where stuff leaving the house resides, as possible. That way, those items do not need to be copied onto the docket.

BONUS TIP: Consider a wipe erase prep list, stored on a clipboard in the launchpad area.

5. Add tasks.

Tasks are added to the daily docket from the weekly or daily page in the planner.

TIP: Computer or at home/at work tasks (depending where computer is used) should go on e-docket, while other tasks should go on paper docket.

6. Delete, delegate, or defer tasks that are leftover.

Sometimes, during the copying phase of the daily docket creation, it becomes clear that there is not time to do some of the tasks. Instead of putting those tasks on the docket, do one of the 3 Ds with the task.

All this recopying and moving everything to one place may seem like a waste of time, but the truth is that:

a. a docket is only made on or in anticipation of busy days, anyway; and

b. the process forces decision-making about how much can actually be done.

Some of the stuff on today's weekly task list were entered over a month ago, before all the information about today's schedule was available. It makes sense to rearrange the plan now that all the relevant information is available.

7. Mark daily docket indicator on the monthly square.

8. Mark daily docket indicator on the weekly square.

Don't forget to actually use the daily docket. It is the plan for the day and should make life smoother.

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