Blind Perspective: How to Plan?

Projects, tasks, priorities—everyone has heard of them, but not everyone is a fan. Some people look at their lists with dread and reluctance. And it’s no surprise. There are many expectations placed on us, yet the day, unfortunately, isn’t elastic. But what does planning look like from a blind person’s perspective? What tools can they use? The answer is in today’s article.

Since everyone has different needs and experiences, I will note right away that the following observations do not reflect the feelings of a specific group but are rather my own insights. Other blind people may handle planning and the tools they use for this purpose differently.

Strategy

I really dislike planning because it’s not a pleasant task. However, I’ve noticed that it significantly facilitates daily functioning. Even though most of my task list is in my head, I still find creating it useful. Why? Because it helps me say “yes” or “no” to others or myself. I often have far more ideas than I can accomplish. So, to direct my creativity and avoid decision paralysis, I plan. And I do so as far in advance as possible.

Setting boundaries more effectively is not the only, or even the most important, reason I plan. Due to my visual impairment, many aspects of my daily life do not depend solely on me. That’s why it’s important for me to observe how each action brings me closer to achieving my goals. This gives me a sense of power and fulfillment.

How do I approach planning? From a bird’s-eye view. I like planning in blocks, but I use time slots of varying lengths. I start by sketching out the entire week. I usually know when I’ll be working, so I block that time right away. If I have a scheduled doctor’s appointment or something similar, I incorporate it into the plan and adjust my work hours accordingly. The second area I immediately include in my plan is weekly activities, like working on orientation skills with an instructor. I also account for routine tasks like cooking, cleaning, or shopping. Why? So I don’t rush. I also make sure to schedule time for rest or pursuing my interests. I understand my needs in this regard and try not to neglect them. There are weeks when I’m thrilled on Friday afternoon that the weekend has finally arrived, and I can just go to sleep. But I try to avoid reaching such a level of exhaustion whenever possible.

Time Estimation

The hardest part of creating a plan is estimating the time needed for each task. While it’s relatively easy for things like cooking or shopping, tasks related to work are a bit more challenging. For example, I usually allocate about two hours to write a blog post. In many cases, that’s more than enough time. However, the last article showed that I underestimated the time required. And I generally plan for a slight buffer—not only because I don’t like rushing but also because I’ve noticed that certain things take longer with a screen reader.

How Not to Get Lost?

To keep my plan in check and avoid sinking into chaos, I sketch out the next day’s plan the evening before. This way, in the morning, when caffeine has yet to mercifully switch my brain on, I don’t feel scattered and overwhelmed. Then, depending on the needs of the day, I fill in the plan with tasks. Do I complete all of them? Of course not. There are always unforeseen things or urgent tasks that pop up. I always schedule meetings in my calendar so I don’t forget them. But that’s where the planning stops. Then life begins.

Task Logging and Tools I Use

I am strongly against using complex tools where they can be avoided. That’s why I only use more advanced solutions than notes or a calendar when absolutely necessary. I get no satisfaction from checking off completed tasks in any app. My own head is really enough for me.

Project management apps often have accessibility issues, which is another reason I avoid them. Over the years, I’ve tested various tools—from the most popular to niche options. I even tried writing my own once, but I decided it wasn’t worth my time. The truth is, handling tasks in a project management app becomes a separate task itself, taking up significant time.

Of course, my reluctance to use productivity apps likely causes me to miss out on data, such as how accurate my time estimates are, but I don’t complain. I rarely allocate too little time for a task, which gives me space to reward myself for a well-done and timely job.

Kanban, Regular Lists, or Something Else?

The format for presenting my tasks doesn’t matter to me at all. As I’ve mentioned, moving a card to another spot or checking something off a list gives me no satisfaction. Using Kanbans, which are inherently very visual, and don’t add value to my understanding of the process’s progress, is especially tiring. However, I understand that project coordinators may find this format useful for conveying information in a simple way.

In Conclusion

Planning adds significant value to my life, but it’s not one of my favorite activities. I also try to use the simplest possible methods to avoid causing myself trouble. I resort to project and task management apps only as a last resort because using them takes too much time, which feels counterintuitive. I used to believe that meticulously mapping everything out would help me accomplish more. But nothing could be further from the truth. That’s why I don’t take my own plan too seriously. After all, beautiful disasters happen, and they often give birth to the most brilliant ideas.