Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead
Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead
One of the best things you could do for yourself is to develop the discipline of planning ahead
Planning ahead is the best way to improve your time management skills.
Planning ahead is the best way to maximise your personal effectiveness.
Planning ahead will allow you to make more progress, in less time and effort.
NOT planning ahead sufficiently is why you sometimes fail.
NOT planning ahead is why you are not doing as well in life as you think you could.
By the way; not many people do as well in life as they think they COULD, because most people forget two vital things:
- They forget to decide exactly what they want out of life and..
- They forget to sit down and write out detailed written plans of action designed to get them exactly what they want out of life.
Most people don't have specific goals and most people don't have detailed written plans.
And as a result, most people end-up working for the smaller number who DO have definite goals and detailed plans.
What is the goal? What is the plan?
The goal is the target to be hit.
The plan is the method by which you will hit the target.
In any situation you need to know at least two things:
- What is the goal?
- What is the best method to achieve the goal?
Planning ahead more effectively would probably change your life for the better
Planning ahead is the act of anticipating what you will need to know, what you will need to have, and what you will need to do, in order to achieve your personal goals.
So it would be good if everyone was a little more committed to planning ahead more.
How can I be a better planner?
The best way to be a better planner is to learn the following set of questions and answer them in writing.
- What goal do I want (or need) to achieve?
- BY WHEN does this goal need to be achieved? Meaning: What is the deadline? How much time do I have?
- In order to achieve this goal, what mental tools do I need? Meaning; what additional skills or additional knowledge or additional information do I need to gain? From where can I find this information, skill or knowledge?
- In order to achieve the goal; what material resources do I need to gather? Meaning, what additional money, or new technology, or documentation and authorities do I need to have?
- In order to achieve the goal; whose co-operation and assistance would I need (or like) to have: and how can I gain this person's cooperation?
- With the above information in mind, then what is the complete list of activities that I need to do? What is the full "to do list" of items written in the best logical order?
- From the list mentioned above, what is the very first thing to do? When do I need to start?
Achieve more with less effort
If you were to get into the habit of thinking about these 7 questions, and especially if you were to get into the habit of writing the answers down on paper, then you would find that your ability to plan ahead and to avoid problems and achieve more with less effort, would radically improve.
And if you were to memorise the 7 questions and start to ask the other people you work with the same questions, you would find that they would make fewer errors, and would not mess up so often.
You would have fewer things to put right and things would go better for you and the others too.
So why not memorise the questions and start practicing the art of planning ahead more.
Plan ahead in writing and you will be amazed at how much time, money and effort you save.
Time Management Training
Most people feel they need help with time management. How can you get more done in the same amount of time? How can you stop other people wasting your time? If you want to know how, then click here to find out more about our time management training course.
Definition: Planning ahead
In business, planning ahead is a process that fixes a clear goal, lists every task and needed resource, sets time limits and priorities, and forecasts problems while arranging help. If any one of these parts is missing, you are not truly planning ahead; you are only reacting to events as they happen.
Show CG4D Definition
- Fixes a clear goal to reach
- Writes every task and needed resource
- Sets time limits and order of work
- Looks ahead for risks and gains support
Article Summary
Planning ahead links clear goals to daily action. When you write a plan and answer seven key questions, you spot what you need, set a deadline, win help and list each step. This approach cuts errors, saves time and lifts your results; it turns wishful thought into steady progress and stronger time management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is the difference between a goal and a plan?
Why is a written plan better than keeping ideas in my head?
How do the seven key questions help my time management?
What risk do I run if I skip setting a deadline?
In what ways can planning ahead save me money?
How often should I review or update my written plan?
What is the best way to gain others' cooperation with my plan?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
The 2024 Deloitte Global Human Capital Trends survey found that 68% of UK workers say clear written goals and plans are the main reason they stay productive in a hybrid role. The 2023 Project Management Institute Pulse of the Profession report shows that projects with a written plan are 28% more likely to meet their goals and stay on budget than projects without one.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in Time Management
-
What is the Action Priority Matrix?
Learn how the Action Priority Matrix ranks tasks by impact and effort to secure quick wins, advance major projects, delegate chores and sharpen time management.
Read Article > -
Time Management Skills: Planning Ahead
Learn how planning ahead sharpens time management, sets clear goals and guides action with seven simple questions so you achieve more and save time every day.
Read Article > -
How can I better delegate
Learn effective delegation with six clear rules: choose tasks wisely, brief with precise words, agree feedback, match skills, note limits and set a deadline.
Read Article > -
How To Prioritise Tasks Effectively
Learn how to prioritise tasks with a clear value-deadline matrix and logical sequence tips. Cut busy work, boost time management and stay in Q2 productive flow.
Read Article > -
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
Learn how the Pomodoro Technique uses 25-minute work cycles and five-minute breaks to lift focus, cut mistakes and boost work efficiency all day no burnout.
Read Article >
Looking for Time Management Training?
If you're looking to develop your Time Management Skills, you may find this Time Management Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Starts in 6 days, London - Central, places available