Step One: MONTHLY PLANNING

* Reserve one hour at the end of each month to plan for the coming month. (This can be a quick review if you plan in 90-day cycles.)
* Survey your goals for the year/quarter and your progress on them.
* Break goals and projects down into steps you can accomplish each week.
* Designate specific due dates for completing these interim steps.
* If what you plan will take several months, divide it into steps so that you can accomplish a little each month.
* Make a copy of your monthly plan for your sponsor - have your team leaders and their team leaders do this as well.

Step Two: WEEKLY PLANNING

* Set aside half an hour every Friday afternoon or Monday morning to plan for the upcoming week.
* Look over the goals you've set for the week, and consider any additional tasks that you need to accomplish.
* Divide tasks planned into steps, and choose a day to work on each step.
* Make note of previously scheduled meetings and appointments.
* Be sure that your weekly routine includes activities that are directly related to your goals.
* Have your team leaders and their team leaders do this as well.

Step Three: DAILY PLANNING

* At the beginning of each day, review your progress on yesterday's work, and note any pending items.
* Spend a few minutes deciding what tasks to work on today.
* Order the day's tasks by priority level with "must do" items first.
* If possible, schedule items that will require more concentration for the time of day that you work best.
* Leave roughly 20 percent of your time unscheduled to make room for new items, delays, etc.
* If appropriate, start with your top-priority item and work on it as long as you can or until it's completed. Once you've tackled your #1 job, move on to the next highest priority on your list.
* Have your team leaders and their team leaders do this as well.

When you put daily action to your plan, your goals will quickly come to pass!