If I took a look at most restaurant owners calendars, I would probably see something like “work on menu this week” … if I saw anything at all. The problem with that is that it’s a goal that you need to accomplish, not the tasks that lead up to accomplishing that goal.

Welcome to time blocking. If you break down your goal into a project, then a task and then action items you’re not only going to get a lot more done each day, but you’re much more likely to actually complete the goal.

Let’s go back to the goal of working on your menu. What needs to happen to make that happen? Do you need to edit the format of the menu? Do you need to create some new dishes with your chef? Do you need to sit down to a tasting? Create or edit the descriptions? All of those action items are what should be listed in your calendar.

If you talk about it, it’s a dream. If you envision it, it’s possible. But if you schedule it, it’s real.

Action Item:

Sit down with your calendar on Sunday and determine one goal that you want to accomplish this coming week. Break that down into projects, tasks and action items. Pop each action item into your calendar giving a specific day and time that you’re going to work on it and ensure those action items are a priority in your day.