Productivity and a Good Attitude?

Came across a single productivity trick in like 4 different places. I seriously suspect they all link back to one source but don't care enough right now to find out. Here's the tip:

Schedule your most important tasks in your calendar

Supposedly the most successful people use this technique in place of a to-do list.

Why?

The theory claims that things you schedule are more likely to get done.

Why?

Because your mind sees that you've made a commitment.

I decided to try it. Starting on a Monday. While my hubby was traveling for business and I was solo with the kids. Yeah.... Real smart.

It worked anyway! Seriously insane!

Not sure that "putting it in the calendar" is really what makes this technique successful. Felt more like the act of planning out my day was what made it successful. Like knowing what I needed to do kept me on task and focused.

Plus, once those "scheduled" items were done I didn't stress about trying to do more. I just played with the kids.

Worth a try...

I mean it's pretty darn easy to dump an item off a calendar, right? But after you've put some thought and effort into getting it there... Well maybe then you're not easily inclined to dump it when something else comes along (like scrolling Facebook).

Added bonus for me: I feel so stinking accomplished if I get a few non-childcare items done in a day. Silly things like 30 minutes of exercise or a shower or draft a blog post or outline a story or... Well I won't bore you with all the less than exciting things that make me feel good.

Have you tried the calendar method? How'd it work for you?