Planning for Work and Life
Winston Churchill said "Let our advance worrying become advance planning." He had to worry about the fate of the Western world. Generally our decisions are less critical, but can nevertheless be really important to us. Setting some objectives whether in our work or personal lives and then planning how to achieve them can be very rewarding and effective.
If we set out on a journey and have no idea where we are going then as Tom Petty says in the lyrics of the song Learning to Fly:
"So I've started out, for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there."
That's all very well if we don't care where we are going, but generally a journey has a starting point and a destination. The same is true in life. We can achieve more and get more out of our lives if we set some goals and targets to aim for. Destinations if you will for our journey through this world.
So planning needs some destination to aim for. Stephen R Covey in the influential book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has as the second "Habit" Begin with the End in Mind:
"Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Create a mission statement."
His third "Habit" is then Put First Things First:
"Prioritize, plan, and execute your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2."
Having decided where to go set out in writing the steps to get there. This does not have to be in as detailed a form as a Microsoft Project plan, though that may help. It could just be a few PowerPoint slides setting out the main steps you plan to take.
It's also useful to include some measurement to ascertain when a goal has been achieved.
Many of us see this approach to setting goals and then planning how to achieve them as a natural and even expected part of our work whatever that may be. In fact there also seems in a more personal context to be a close correlation and balance between planning and achievement at work and in our personal lives. It is a question of balance and a lack of a fulfilling private life can have an adverse effect one our work and vice versa. See our page on Work Life Balance.
If we set out on a journey and have no idea where we are going then as Tom Petty says in the lyrics of the song Learning to Fly:
"So I've started out, for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there."
That's all very well if we don't care where we are going, but generally a journey has a starting point and a destination. The same is true in life. We can achieve more and get more out of our lives if we set some goals and targets to aim for. Destinations if you will for our journey through this world.
So planning needs some destination to aim for. Stephen R Covey in the influential book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People has as the second "Habit" Begin with the End in Mind:
"Self-discover and clarify your deeply important character values and life goals. Envision the ideal characteristics for each of your various roles and relationships in life. Create a mission statement."
His third "Habit" is then Put First Things First:
"Prioritize, plan, and execute your week's tasks based on importance rather than urgency. Evaluate whether your efforts exemplify your desired character values, propel you toward goals, and enrich the roles and relationships that were elaborated in Habit 2."
Having decided where to go set out in writing the steps to get there. This does not have to be in as detailed a form as a Microsoft Project plan, though that may help. It could just be a few PowerPoint slides setting out the main steps you plan to take.
It's also useful to include some measurement to ascertain when a goal has been achieved.
Many of us see this approach to setting goals and then planning how to achieve them as a natural and even expected part of our work whatever that may be. In fact there also seems in a more personal context to be a close correlation and balance between planning and achievement at work and in our personal lives. It is a question of balance and a lack of a fulfilling private life can have an adverse effect one our work and vice versa. See our page on Work Life Balance.
Other Sources
Here are some interesting insights into planning available on the Internet.
- Mind Tools on personal goal setting.
- Life Works career planning process template.
- And Amazon recommends 37 books on life planning!
Personal Examples
Starting a New Job. On the last two occasions I have moved jobs I set out a plan for the first few weeks in my new role. This involved transferring clients and getting to know the people in my work environment. I found this not only helped with the tasks themselves but also worked to gave me more confidence and self assurance at an important time in my working life.
Chair of Society. On In 2010 I became chair of the trustees of SCL (the Society for Computers and Law) in England. I was unsure how to start this role and to make an impact following a very eminent and successful predecessor. I decide that we needed to approach the work of this educational and legally focused society like a business whilst recognising its charitable objectives. With the other trustees we therefore created a business plan setting out our goals and ambitions. Looking back this worked well and acted as a catalyst for change.
Chair of Society. On In 2010 I became chair of the trustees of SCL (the Society for Computers and Law) in England. I was unsure how to start this role and to make an impact following a very eminent and successful predecessor. I decide that we needed to approach the work of this educational and legally focused society like a business whilst recognising its charitable objectives. With the other trustees we therefore created a business plan setting out our goals and ambitions. Looking back this worked well and acted as a catalyst for change.
1. Have a personal plan but be flexible.
2. Map your personal plan into your business or work planning.
3. Have a vision of where you want to get to and work back to the planning activities.
2. Map your personal plan into your business or work planning.
3. Have a vision of where you want to get to and work back to the planning activities.
