Photo by Tony Case
Let’s face it, most of us are not time-crunched executives who briskly move through downtown carrying a suitcase to very important business meetings. Yet most productivity advice (which is available in abundance on the webbernet) seems to be geared toward this small, professional segment of society. However, the tools are there for Mr. Everyman to grab a hold of and use for his betterment, it simply takes some creativity and a willingness to try.
These concepts are not new, yet the majority of us don’t use them. Aluminum was known for quite some time, yet the process for extracting it was immensely difficult. The substance we wrap our leftover meatloaf in was once more valuable than gold. It took ingenuity to find a way to make aluminum cost-effective.
This brings us to the topic at hand. I used to have a weekly planning meeting. I kept it up for years until I realized that it was usually a huge waste of time and, in spite of my effort, never felt any more organized. The concept resonated with me, yet it actually provided little benefit. At least, not until recently.
Strangely, I’ve decided to make amends with my estranged friend, the weekly planning meeting. It has worked quite well. Here’s what it took:
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A new system
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Simplification
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Dedication
A New System
As my last foray into planning sessions seemed to waste massive amounts of time, I made it a point this time around to set a limit. It would be absurd to spend more time planning than living.
One aspect of my former ways that I kept is extremely important: sessions must be the same time each week. This time is sacred and cannot be sacrificed without throwing a stick in my spokes, sending my head first into the asphalt that is, “crap I forgot.” This is also why I try to make it quick. Make the sacrifice on your time as small as possible.
I chose Sunday as my day, but use what works for you. Remember that it is imperative you get started that very next day. Any lapse breeds procrastination on an epic scale. After planning you will experience some sort of excitement to accomplish your goals. Don’t let that enthusiasm die; the longer you wait the less likely you will do anything.
So what exactly should you be planning? My new planning cycle is based on four straight-forward questions.
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What do I need to do this week?
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What do I want to do this week?
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What did I fail at last week?
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What did I do awesome at last week?
A word of caution: focus on the To-Do’s. It can be tempting to daydream about working your way to the top of Google, but it’s not gonna’ happen if you never get on it and wash your stinky pants. You smell like a hippy.
Simplification
Avoid the temptation to draft world domination plans. That is not the purpose of this session. The goal here is to start your week off on the right foot and ahead of schedule. Make a reasonable time constraint and stick to it. This will do two things. First, it will make it possible to have a life outside your calendar, and second it will keep you from dreading these sessions in the future.
Have whatever tool you use handy, whether it’s index cards, a blackberry, your iPhone, or a calendar. Just put it down somewhere that you will see it. I myself use Google Calendar along with Remember The Milk. The point is, you need to do whatever works for you and NOTHING MORE. Don’t allow your techno-ego to ruin this opportunity. This strategy could be just as effective with cocktail napkins as a complex PDA.
Dedication
It sounds so very basic, but the simple fact of the matter is that you are going to find a million excuses to give up. Don’t.
Like any plan, this is always evolving. What have you found that works for you? What doesn’t?
