We only have a limited amount of time each day, and it is important that we get as much as possible out of our day. Often we are inundated with things to do that are urgent, and lots of stuff that just happens to need to be done today. So we may waste our time on meetings and other unproductive things.

Take a good look at your daily calendar. What are the items that you have blocked out? If you are like most people, you have a list full of appointments, and meetings. And you also probably have a to do list somewhere which you look at and try to finish some of those items as you get the free time to do so.

When someone wants to schedule an appointment, normally, you would look at your daily planner, and block out the time of the meeting there. This of course makes it important in your mind, and when the day comes, you will remember that you have an appointment. Another important effect of this is that you know that you have committed the time, and you cannot accommodate any other appointments or meetings in that same time slot without disrupting your original appointment.

In the same way, you can block out the time to make an appointment with yourself. If you have a task to do, that takes a significant amount of time (I define significant if it will take more than 15 minutes), then make sure to mark it on your daily planner and give it the importance that it requires.

Then, focus your mind and body on that task when the time comes. Not only will you complete the task at that time, you will feel mush better in completing one of your to do items. You can honestly say to someone if they are conflicting with your time slot that you do have a prior appointment. The fact is, you do have an appointment with yourself to do that specific task.

Here are some ways you can minimize and eliminate any distractions that may come up during that time slot that you will devote to getting your task done. Firstly, turn off any potential distractions such as your email client, instant messaging, and even your telephone. Also, set an alarm to end the appointment at the appropriate time, so that you do not overshoot and miss your other commitments (which are blocked off in your calendar).

You may think that you can remember your appointment with yourself and that you do not need to write it down in your calendar. Well, things always happen and you are quite likely to forget your unwritten appointment. Make a point to actually schedule it into your day and your daily planner, even if it may seem silly.

Go ahead, look through your to do list, and make an appointment with yourself!