Weekly 'Architecture' Planning for Sustainable Performance

Kate Slatter
Jun 16
2 min read

Updated: Jul 7

Building your week around your rocks

You can picture your week as a jar: the big rocks, your foundations and the work that moves you forward, go in first, then the pebbles, then the sand. Put the rocks in first and everything else settles around them.

The full idea, with the story behind it, is here: Rocks, Pebbles and Sand.

To make that easier, I have put together a Weekly Architecture Planner, and it comes in two versions. Use whichever suits the way your mind works.

Half-hour slots give you a more detailed picture. Useful if your days are broken into shorter blocks, you are juggling appointments, or you like to see exactly where the time goes.

One-hour slots keep things simpler and less cluttered. Better if you plan in bigger blocks, you want a quick overview, or too much detail puts you off before you start.

There is no right answer. Do what works for you.

How to use the planners

Start by writing down the three priorities that matter most this week. These are the things you want to protect, not simply the things shouting the loudest.

Next, block out any fixed commitments such as work, appointments, meetings or the school run. This gives you a realistic picture of the time you already have available.

Now add your foundations. Use the coloured key to shade the small square at the start of each time block, then write in what you've planned if you need to.

🟩 Sleep
🟦 Movement
🟨 Meals
🟪 Recovery
🟥 Family or personal time

Once those are in place, schedule everything else around them.

At the end of the week, spend a couple of minutes reflecting. What worked well? What helped you stay on track? What can wait until next week? Small adjustments each week are often more useful than trying to create the perfect plan.

Download the Weekly Architecture Planner here:

1-Hour Planner: Excel Version

PDF Version

30-Minute Planner: Excel Version

PDF Version

These are just the two versions I use to keep my own week steady. If you have something that works better, I would love to see it. I am always keen for new ideas.

Kate

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