Alright, let’s talk about getting a handle on keystone events for 2024. The start of the year always feels like a bit of a rush, but I knew I needed to map things out, otherwise, stuff just slips through the cracks. It’s just how things go, right?
Getting Started
So, first thing I did was grab a simple notebook. Yeah, nothing fancy. I find digital tools distracting sometimes, too many bells and whistles. Just pen and paper to start. I sat down, poured myself a coffee, and just started brain-dumping everything I could think of that felt like a big rock for the year.
This included things like:
- Major project deadlines at work. You know, the ones that have real consequences if missed.
- Any industry conferences or meetups I genuinely wanted to attend, not just the ones I felt obligated to.
- Personal development goals – maybe finally digging into that new tech stack I’ve been putting off.
- Even some big family things, like anniversaries or planned trips. They’re keystones in life too!
Sorting It Out
Once I had this messy list, the next step was trying to make some sense of it. I didn’t go for a complicated system. I just looked at the list and started grouping things loosely by quarter. Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4. Some events had fixed dates, which made it easy. Others were more flexible, so I penciled them into spots that looked less crowded.
I tried to be realistic. It’s easy to overload the first half of the year with ambition. I’ve done that before, and it just leads to burnout. So, I deliberately spread things out. If Q2 looked packed with work stuff, I pushed a personal goal to Q3.
The Actual “Doing” Part
Okay, having the list is one thing, actually using it is another. I transferred the key dates and goals into my regular digital calendar – the one I check daily. I kept it simple: event title, date, maybe a brief note. For the bigger projects or goals, I broke down the first couple of steps needed and scheduled time for those too. Like, “Research new tech stack – allocate 2 hours” for a specific week.
I didn’t treat this plan as set in stone. That’s key. Things change. A project gets delayed, a new priority pops up. So, about once a month, I take maybe 30 minutes to look back at the list and the calendar. See what’s done, what’s shifted, what needs rescheduling. It’s a living document, really.
What I Found
Doing this simple exercise wasn’t earth-shattering, but it definitely helped reduce that feeling of overwhelm. Just knowing I’ve thought about the big things makes tackling the day-to-day easier. It provides a bit of a roadmap. Sometimes I drift off course, sure, but having the map makes it easier to find my way back.
It’s not about rigidly sticking to a plan, it’s more about having clarity on the main things I want to achieve or experience this year. It’s a simple practice, but it works for me. Maybe give it a try if you haven’t already.
