Fail to plan, plan to fail
As much as life is beautiful, rewarding, fulfilling, and fun, I think we can also admit that it definitely can get crazy, chaotic, hectic, and at times, downright overwhelming. When that feeling of overwhelm starts to creep up on us, one of the first things that starts to suffer is all of the things we like to do — like training jiu-jitsu or wanting to start training jiu-jitsu if you haven't already.
So, the real question becomes, “How can I fit jiu-jitsu into my already busy schedule?”
The answer might lie in having a solidly developed 168 plan.
What is a 168 plan?
It is a time management strategy based on the idea that there are 168 hours in a week. It allows you to examine how intentional you are in maximizing those hours to their fullest potential. A 168 plan involves intentionally planning out how you will spend each of the 168 hours of the upcoming week.
What are some elements of a good 168 plan?
Everyone’s 168 plan will be different because, of course, they are your hours and nobody else’s. But there are some key elements or questions to consider when developing your 168 plan. They include:
- Reviewing your big-picture goals and priorities for the week
- Mapping out your set weekly obligations like work/school hours, meetings, appointments, etc.
- Blocking off time for your highest priority activities and projects first
- Identifying when you have peaks and valleys in your energy levels and planning high-focus activities during peak energy times
- Scheduling time for self-care like sleep, exercise (strength training, jiu-jitsu), and healthy meals
- Balancing both social/family time and solo productivity time
- Minimizing scheduled activities on the weekends to focus on rejuvenation or passion projects
Questions to Consider
- What activities are non-negotiable priorities for me? (Block out time for these first.)
- When do I have the most energy and focus? Plan your deep work during these productive hours.
- How much time do I devote to self-care like exercise (jiu-jitsu, strength training), sleep, and healthy eating? Is it sufficient?
- Are my weekends purposeful or just recovery from a busy workweek?
- How balanced is my social/family time versus solo productivity time?
- When am I getting distracted or wasting time on things that don't align with my goals?
Example of a 168 plan
Monday
- 6am - Wake up, prayers/meditation
- 7am - Make breakfast
- 8am - Commute to work
- 9am–5pm - Work
- 6pm - Jiu-jitsu
- 7:30pm - Make and eat dinner
- 9pm - Free time
- 10pm - Bed
Tuesday
- 6am - Wake up, prayers/meditate
- 7am - Make breakfast
- 8am - Commute to work
- 9am–5pm - Work
- 6pm - Make and eat dinner
- 9pm - Read
- 10pm - Bed
Wednesday
- 6am - Wake up
- 7am - Make breakfast
- 8am - Commute to work
- 9am–6pm - Work
- 6pm - Jiu-jitsu class
- 7:30pm - Make and eat dinner
- 8:30pm - Laundry and meal prep
- 10pm - Bed
Thursday
- 6am - Wake up, exercise
- 7am - Make breakfast
- 8am - Commute to work
- 9am–6pm - Work
- 6pm - Make and eat dinner
- 7pm - Free time
- 10pm - Bed
Friday
- 6am - Wake up, meditate
- 7am - Make breakfast
- 8am - Commute to work
- 9am–6pm - Work
- 6pm - Jiu-jitsu open mat
- 7:30pm - Dinner out
- 9pm - Free time
- 10pm - Bed
Saturday
- 8am - Wake up
- 9am - Morning walk
- 10am - Make breakfast
- 12pm - Meet friends for lunch
- 3pm - Grocery shopping
- 6pm - Cook dinner
- 8pm - Watch a movie
- 10pm - Bed
Sunday
- 8am - Wake up, meditate
- 10am - Brunch
- 12pm - Football
- 4pm - Nap
- 6pm - Cook dinner
- 8pm - Read
- 10pm - Bed
Allow for Flexibility
While the above might look like you’re planning out every second of every day, what you're actually doing is identifying and prioritizing the things that are most important to you and discarding the nonessential.
It’s important to remember that flexibility and adjustments are part of the process. You’re not a robot — and planning is as much about adapting as it is about scheduling. You just want to make sure you're consistently fitting in your non-negotiables.
Jiu-jitsu at No Limits Grappling Academy in your 168
If you’re in the Scranton area and interested in starting your jiu-jitsu training with us at No Limits Grappling Academy, we have practices in the mornings 3 days a week and in the evenings 4 days a week that can fit perfectly into most anyone’s 168 plan.