Plan-Do: Part I ‑ Where am I now?

Part I ‑ Where am I now?

Exercise #1:  We all have many things to do. We can be overwhelmed by obligations. Think about all the things you need to get done. Then on a 3 X 5 index card write down just five important things you want to have done in the next six months. Put the date of six months from today at the top. Each must be something that could be completed. It may be big or small in terms of time and resources, but must be important to you. Only spend five minutes. Keep this card and review it regularly. Make a new one in six months. You could put this list in a text document on your PC or smart phone, but just try the index card. You may already have a long list in a scheduling program. It is simple.

Terminology.

Now you have some goals. Goals are the focus of a plan. Are your goals objective or subjective?

Objective Goal ‑ One whose completion can be quantified or measured in some way. You want to go somewhere, do something, purchase a certain item, earn a certain amount of money. How do you feel when you achieve an objective goal?  Good!  You have a sense of accomplishment which encourages you to tackle other and perhaps more difficult objectives. We will refer to objective goals as "objectives."

Subjective Goal ‑ One whose determination of progress or completion is based on your judgment. It might deal with a relationship, an emotional state or sense of security. Subjective goals are at a higher level than objective goals since they represent the outcome of your life. They cover a broader view and are more open ended in terms of completion. They are accomplished over a longer term and are more complex, often the result of completion of many objectives. Depending upon your perception of time, a goal might be accomplished in the short or long term, one to five days, weeks or months. The time frame for goals in a personal plan are measured in terms of the life time, or even beyond it. In the sense of your life spanning many years. Collectively your subjective goals are your personal vision and form the basis for your personal plan, your "life goals."

Strategy ‑ A plan of action to work within your environment to accomplish your objectives and therefore move toward accomplishing your life goals.

Manager ‑ A manager's job is to get results from the resources of an enterprise. In business, results are objective ‑ units sold, dollars earned, etc. A good manager knows what the goals are and what resources the enterprise has. If it needs more resources to grow, the manager works to get them. Planning is used to find ways to get better results from resources and achieve the goals. Likewise, as manager of your life enterprise, you can get better results by planning.

Planner ‑ One who plans. By education and occupation, that's what I am. Planning is in fact a part of all activities we undertake so we are all planners. To have no plan is a plan, since you have decided to let the world make decisions for you. Just take a moment and acknowledge yourself as a planner.

Futurist ‑ One who has a vision of the future. You have goals from exercise #1 which represent events to happen in the future. You can picture them happening, therefore you are a futurist. All futurists are self‑appointed. Take a second and appoint yourself as a futurist.

Plan ‑ The written document, dated in time, which will serve as a reference for your growth and change for the future. A plan properly used will improve your self management. If you have nothing to manage:  time, money, or resources ‑ you have no need to plan. Plans can be single purpose or comprehensive. What we seek in our life plan is something that is comprehensive. My view is that God is the only comprehensive planner, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.

Do ‑ The implementation of your plan. If you are doing, you will be accomplishing some of your objectives and making movement toward your life goals. This generally leads to satisfaction. It is easier to plan than to do. We can envision a great life (we did as children), but accomplishing a vision takes focus, for without planning and control, without building a resource base, we are just dreaming.

Priority ‑ A ranking process that determines what comes first, second and third among multiple goals. It is how you decide to focus and is an ongoing juggling process. Some people are really focused and can therefore achieve in their area of focus. Balance, as in anything, is important.

Evaluation ‑ The planning process has a feedback loop, like communications. Personal planning is a communication process with yourself. This is the process of judging your results against your objectives and life goals. Plans should be reviewed often. Check the life goals and objectives to see if they still fit. Take the feedback the world has given you and incorporate it in your plan. Because you have power over your plan, you can amend it anytime.

Analysis ‑ The planning process begins with a look at what is. To plan for yourself you need to know who you are; what are your skills and abilities; what are your resources. Instead of just going with the flow, try to find your flow. To continue this process there are a few more exercises.

Exercise #2:  "I am ______."

I found this in Working Smart by Michael LeBoeuf. Take ten index cards and write "I am a(n) __________________ on each one. Work rapidly and don't censor any idea that comes to mind. Use more than ten if you wish. When you are done, read them over and set them out in order of importance. Then number them one through ten.

Then write on the back of each card:  "This 'I am' is first because __________________."  Go on and finish the rest. Date the cards and save them.

Exercise #3:  "I am" mind map.

The mind map is a technique to give an externalized map‑picture of thoughts you might have on any subject. I first learned about mind mapping in The Brain User's Guide by Tony Buzan, a pioneer of the technique. The following are guidelines for mind mapping which I've compiled over the years from various sources.

* Mapping materials:  blank paper ‑ the bigger, the better (to get 11 inch x 17 inch large copy paper size, tape two 8 ½ x 11 inch sheets of standard printer paper together on the backside); pens, pencils and markers of varied texture and color; a mind and a thought to explore ‑ to map out the boundaries of. No artistic skills are required ‑ the words and symbols need only have meaning for you. The result may, on occasion, be somewhat pleasing to the eye of the mapper.

* Begin with an image and/or word in the center of paper or wherever you think it should start on the page.

* Build out from the central thought with connected lines like branches on a tree.

* Use key words or short phrases to explain branches.

* In addition uses sketches, symbols, codes, numbers, pictures ‑ whatever.

* Use color ‑ you may select a marker for a subject because it matches/contrasts with the mood of thoughts/ideas.

* For emphasis or to show relationships ‑ consider arrows, boxes, underlines and anything else you can think of.

* When the map seems complete ‑ consider enclosing areas with circles or boxes to focus thoughts.

* Date the map so that when you return to it you'll have a benchmark. Later additions may be dated ‑ it’s your map.

* If it doesn't seem to be working ‑ start over. Use the map to be spontaneous. Give yourself a time limit ‑ 5 or 10 minutes ‑ for a quick exploration.

* Don't let any of the above ideas limit your map.

        Now it’s time to mind map your life. A blank sheet of paper is needed. In the center, or at some place on the sheet, draw a picture or a symbol which represents you. Then, give details about yourself in each of these areas:  background; strengths/weaknesses; hobbies; accomplishments/ failures; likes/dislikes; physical self‑description; family; beliefs; and areas of greatest knowledge/ignorance, using simple drawings, key words and lists, using different colors as matches the subject and your feelings in response to it.

Need more, check these links:

Buzan Centers - http://www.mind-map.com/

Mindjet Company - http://www.mindjet.com/

Peter Russell – How to mind map - http://www.peterussell.com/Mindmaps/HowTo.html

Mind Tools http://www.mindtools.com/mindmaps.html

Exercise #4:  TO DO LIST ‑ make a comprehensive list of all the things you have to do now and into the future. Establish categories such are work, home, finance, people, travel, etc.

Plan-Do Part II 

Download PDF here: Plan-Do workbook and Creativity Journal.