Take Control of Your Productivity

Know the Principles of Successful Planning

Now that you know how to think about planning in broad strokes, there are a few other things you should know before you get to defining any specifics. I originally called these “rules,” but that’s not the right word—no one gets to set rules but you. Then I thought about “guidelines,” but they’re too important regarding how much time and trouble they’ll save you. “Principles” is the word that’s the perfect temperature for Goldilocks’ porridge.

These are:

• Recognize that your planning is a series of promises you’re making to yourself about what you’re going to do.

• Map out your projects and tasks to a sufficient level of detail so that when the time comes, you’re not thinking about how to do it, but rather ...