Hey everyone, we are Vaida and Nicole, and we’re here to tell you that you might have been planning your day wrong all along. What do we mean, you’d ask? We bet that, like most people, you start with work tasks and home chores, and leave planning your personal priorities after everything else is covered. But what if we tell you there is another way? Itโs called inversion planning.
When it comes to your schedule, inversion planning means putting yourself, your goals and needs at the center of your schedule. Think about it โ you tend to tell others how much you value your health, enjoy your hobbies, and just love trying new things โ but so often you push these for โlaterโ. There are many reasons why you might be prioritizing everyone else more than yourself, and one of them is that you probably don’t want to appear selfish. Hence, us telling you to schedule your days and weeks around yourself might ring some alarms but don’t worry. Inversion planning won’t interfere with your responsibilities or with being there for those who need you. It simply means making sure you’re there for yourself as well.
Letโs see how you can implement this inversion little by little.
Treat it like an experiment
When you try inversion planning for the first time, adopt a scientist mindset. Ask yourself why you are doing this and what you want to get out of it. Set soft goals regarding how your time management will be different and how your new schedule will make you feel. Most importantly, have patience and compassion for yourself โ a scientist usually faces a few challenges and a couple of wrong turns before they get the formula right.
Start with one little thing
Is it a workout in the morning, a book after lunch or a pottery lesson in the evening that makes you feel refreshed and fulfilled? Start building your schedule with this one non-negotiable, and stick to it for at least a month. Then reflect โ how does this practice make you feel throughout the day? But be honest with yourself: grabbing a coffee in a rush while reviewing your work emails is not self-care. Then, when you master that โone thingโ, build onwards. Include more quality activities or quality time for yourself before you plan anything else that also should be done.
Avoid falling into the traps of guilt
Productivity lies not only in work tasks โ restorative activities are also productive. Inverting your schedule doesnโt mean neglecting all responsibilities and running from them. Just the opposite: after having planned that enjoyable time for yourself, whether itโs a language course, a nap (!) or some journaling, you are more likely to come to your chores with more ease, patience, and gratitude.
Donโt compare yourself to others
If for some a current priority is to hone a new skill, you donโt necessarily have to start something new. Inverting your schedule does not mean bombarding yourself with new commitments to learn a new language, finish that leadership course and also start gardening โ all at the same time. Stay truthful to yourself: maybe you just need that space to recharge by slowly cooking and eating a nutritious meal. Make sure you mark it into your schedule first thing in the morning if that is what makes you feel good.
Stay flexible
Life doesnโt always go as planned. Inversion planning, like any other approach, is not immune to interruptions โ your plans can get canceled, kids can get sick, and your car might break down. Be thankful for how much youโve already done, be willing to adapt and next time โ just try again.
We hope that this brief introduction to inversion planning offers you a fresh outlook on how you can approach your daily or weekly schedule to prioritize your goals, needs, and well-being. At the end of the day, itโs all about finding the sweet spot between self-care, personal growth, and responsibilities. So, why not give inversion planning a try and see how it could contribute to more balance and joy in your daily life?
If you found this article and the tips useful, connect with us. We often share useful content related to coaching, productivity, well-being, and mindset.
Connect with Vaida on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaida-garbauske/
Find out more about Vaidaโs work: https://thrivebyvaida.com/
Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-gueorguieva-she-her-7735b6a3/
Find out more about Nicoleโs work: www.wellkindbetter.com
