Planning is important for time management, goals, projects, and even purpose. It is one of the top 10 skills employers want.
To plan is to…
• Problem solve
• Look at tasks to achieve outcomes
• Actively select important priorities
• Next actions to schedule
• Include time to think and review
• Target key results and measures
Short term planning to manage your time:
• Plan day
• Look at priorities and make to do list
• Act – on one task at a time
• Note peak time and use it well
• Include incoming tasks in system
• Take time to review progress
Long term purpose planning:
• Value based Vision (where)
• Important Mission (what)
• Purpose (why)
• Active movement
• Inspiring appeal
• Meaningful measures
• Significant solutions
The planning process is thinking about…
- Things that need to be done.
- How they can be accomplished.
- In what order the steps should be arranged.
- Narrowing large tasks into smaller action steps.
- Knowing which tasks are the most important and setting priorities.
- Including when they need to be done and creating a timeline.
- Noting measures and needed resources.
- Goals to be set.
A plan outlines the route to take to get where we want to go.
Set Up Systems
Systems are a way to organize repeating tasks. This can include all kinds of things like time management, bill paying, menu planning, repeating tasks, and job duties. Checklists can help, like the Cleaning Checklist and Decluttering Checklist.
- What – steps will you need to take?
- Where – will you do this? where are the tools you need?
- When – is the best time to do the task? ⤍ schedule it.
- How – what methods will you use?
- Why – what is the end result you want?
Every system is perfectly designed to give you the results you are getting right now. – attribution disputed
Set a Goal
- Get you going – they motivate you to take action
- On target
- Align with purpose & values
- Lead to success
- SMART
Goals that WORK are
- Written
- On top priorities
- Regularly reviewed
- Keep you motivated
Get Organized
Gather resources & tools, and create an ideal workspace with…
- Special lighting
- Perfect temperature
- Add sound & scents
- Colors to soothe or inspire
- Ergonomic workstation
Do the Plan
Follow a routine to automate repeating tasks and ADDRESS habits.
- Add incentives for motivation
- Deal with obstacles & resistance
- Decide when and where
- Remind yourself
- Establish metrics
- Small steps
- SMART and written
Act to accomplish the plan
Use your task management system and TEND to focus.
- Tame external and internal distractions
- Embrace values
- Notice the feedback
- Dedicate time to concentrate attention & feel the flow
Review
Do a regular review to monitor progress and adjust as needed.
Look at what was accomplished and what needs to be done next in the review PROCESS.
- Prepare needed information and tools
- Realign priorities
- Outline a plan
- Check lists and follow-up system
- Execute updates: add & delete tasks to system
- Select next steps to do
- Schedule tasks & appointments
Use MEASURES to quantify results.
- Metrics
- Explain how much, how many, how big
- Add checkmarks to a chart
- Steps to completion
- Use numbers
- Rating scales
- Examples of challenges met
- Success file – celebrate!
Repeat the process!
Download a printable pdf of the Planning Process
Beware Planning Pitfalls: The Planning Fallacy and Parkinson’s Law at dansilvestre
The ability to plan is one of the skills employers want. Planning is also an important skill for setting goals, planning and evaluating projects, and managing time.
Find courses and links to develop planning skills – Learn more about daily planning, weekly planning, time management, and goal setting. Also see infographics at Optimize Your Day With the Science of Productivity and Why Goals? The Science of Goals.
I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.
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