You walk in to the supermarket with a shopping list in your hand. It’s scribbled on a small piece of paper. You’ve read the recipe; you know how many you are cooking for. Your mind is focused, no distractions. You get what you came in for and you are out within minutes. You didn’t spend extra money on the things you didn’t need, and you didn’t waste time walking around piecing together ideas. Success!
Planning your day works just the same. If you know what you want to achieve, you are much more likely to get it done effectively.
Be clear and then begin to prioritise…
4 Step Planning method with FREE template below, inspired by Tony Robbins Rapid Planning Method
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Outcome
What is your outcome? What will be the end result?
This will keep you focused and one track when you get creatively distracted or buried in your to do list.
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Purpose
Why are you doing this? Why is it important? Who will this benefit?
Having a strong and clear purpose will give you the motivation and extra inspiration to get it done. -
Actions
What things do you need to do to achieve your above outcome? What are the steps you need to take?
This will give you a logical plan to follow to keep you on track. It will also help you feel calmer and less overwhelmed when you get clear on things you have to do. -
Time
How long will each action take? How much time will the whole project take? Be as specific as you can with your estimation.
Once we set a time, it helps us be more focused and not exaggerate what we need to do. It also draws from Parkinson’s Law – The Complexity of a task expands to fill the time you allow it. If you plan for it to take 1 hour, you will get it done in one hour, if you think it will take a day, you’ll spend a day on it.
Free Downloadable Template
(OPAT) Outcome Purpose Action Time
I created this template that I print out at home and use to separate projects. I find A5 a good side, I hope you like it.
If you use it, how did you find it?
Check out Tony Robbins – Rapid Planning Method here
Categories: Business
Andy Dunn 
Great post! Loving the ‘Recipe’ analogy.