Planning makes you more efficient and life more enjoyable. But many of us avoid doing it because we think we don’t have the time!

If working life has become stressful and you’re feeling overwhelmed it’s easy to approach work on autopilot and just jump from one task or project to another. Not unsurprisingly this tends to increase feelings of overwhelm, dissatisfaction and sense of chaos.

To this turnaround so you’re in control and enjoy work again decide what you want as an outcome before you start and then let your brain naturally get you there.

Here is a metaphor of what I mean:

Going to Bristol Story.
Part One: Scenario.
You are told that your task is to get to Bristol by car with

• No Map,
• No idea of location,
• No resources or sustenance, but have to be there is 3.5hrs.

Now take a moment to imagine that journey! Really get a feel of what that would be like. Perhaps you’ll lose your direction and not know where to go along the way. Maybe you’ll get stuck in traffic. How do you think will you feel when you get there? What kind of physical and mental state will you be in?

Part Two:
Now do this.
Imagine you have arrived in Bristol and that you’re there now . . . . . . feeling good; serene and calm. Imagine the sense of achievement, in other words having enjoyed the journey . . .
Now whilst you’re there (in that future place), think back to how you got there.

What did you do from that point backing up to the start? Note down these. Now review and think about making the journey again having got this insight.

It can be easy to plan – and it doesn’t take long when you let your mind do it this way!!

Now that you’re in this frame of mind reflect on areas of your work where you are currently jumping straight in without thinking. In other words like the Going to Bristol story above. Think about how you could work from the desired outcome backwards in your mind before you start work. Note any differences in how you feel about tackling the task now.

Note down some particular areas in your work that you’ll be able to use this approach.

For more practical exercises that will get you back on top of work and life, come to my work shop; Think-Right Now and Lead the life you Want.

It’s on Saturday 12 May, 9.30 - 12.30 at Hilton Hotel Cobham. Cost £55 See link for details
(The hotel is 25 miles from central London, and 30 minutes’ drive from Heathrow Airport. Kingston-Upon-Thames is just 13 miles away.)

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