Life management tools
There are three influences in my life management planning that I feel worth mentioning:
- Anthony Robbins' RPM
Outcome-based system... the taxonomy of getting things done by focusing upon the desired result, rather than remaining fixated upon the mechanisms for achieving that result.
Projects - Master Plans - Weekly Plans - Daily Plans,
Weekly planning process,
Must-time vs Total time,
Leverage,
Communication capturing,
Monthly time commitments - Stephen Covey's PlanPlus
Roles-based planning,
Mission statements,
Hierarchical project planning has just been introduced in version 3 in their "Project Task List",
Weekly planning process,
PowerNotes, much like Microsoft Office OneNote,
Synchronises to PDAs, though only through its own conduits
Review Mission, Schedule Goals (aligned with overall goals), Schedule Compass, Schedule Tasks - David Allen's Getting Things Done
- Context-based thinking...
- Levels of thinking and planning...
Action it now (in which case, describe as a successful outcome; if more than one step, it's a Project, and identify the next steps): Do it-Delegate it-Defer it(assign)
Organise
Non action by filing, referencing, putting on the someday/maybe list.
If deferred, insert into calendar, put onto task list and mail summary to self.- Review: Daily, Weekly and Occasionally.
- In the moment: Context, then Time available, then Energy available then by priority.
- In each moment, you can either do Predefined work (though this takes discipline), Defining (knowing all your work) and doing work as it shows up (though risking the urgency trap)
- Structure of thinking: Current actions, Current projects, Areas of responsibility, 1-2 year goals, 3-5 year visions, Life planning
posted by Daniel @ 6:59 pm
2 Comments:
Until now, I have been using a hybrid, spreadsheet-based solution derived from Zig Ziglar's "Personal Power Planner" (if I recall the name correctly), which consists of a standard one-week schedule, with a few extras. All tasks are classified by the role you play in them, for example: CEO of XYZ Company, Football team coach, Father, etc. Each role has a list of objectives for the month, broken down into weekly sub-tasks, which can then be distributed throughout the week's schedule as one sees fit.
Any miscellaneous tasks are scheduled thereafter, ensuring none of the important sub-tasks are displaced, ensuring all tasks required to achieve the objectives in each of one's roles in life are achieved.
It is a nice solution in theory, but its lack of integration into Microsoft Outlook is a major problem. I can't schedule alarms for particular tasks, entering tasks in both the spreadsheet and Outlook is time-consuming, and e-mailing other task participants is cumbersome.
Thanks for the tips, Dan. I think I had better look more closely at Mr. Covey's Outlook-integrated projects manager.
D. Lewis.
That sounds remarkably like Covey's system... from him, I get a particularly focus on the weekly planning level.
He elicits up to seven roles with one or two top outcomes for each role per week, then scheduling the key outcomes a week at a time in advance, putting the 'big rocks' in before the pebbles.
Like yourself, I've tried using the Spreadsheet based solution - when I was in my first year of university, I tried planning my days in 5 minute intervals!!! (it didn't work!)
Planning for longer range targets isn't easy under the Covey system - to me, there Tony's stuff is the best, though GTD methods are also useful. Tony elicits up to ten personal 'roles' and another ten professional 'roles'... giving each an "Ultimate vision" and "Ultimate purpose" as well as identifying resources, KRA/sub-roles (that he calls "Three to Thrive") and specific timed goals.
Purpose is one of the best pieces that comes out of Tony Robbins. He asks you to identify the purpose for ALL outcomes/ projects/ whatever... this is an awesome concept, and helps align your intention with your desire to propel consistent effort.
More generally, it's tough to keep focus on the whole picture while retaining control over the smallest details... the human mind can only focus on a few things at a time, and 'chunking' things together is the key. Chunking things appropriately is also the challenge.
... But that's the adventure.
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