| To-do lists are not the same as planning. A to-do list is | | | | - Go to antique shop |
| simply a list of tasks, usually unrelated, that have | | | | - Get petrol |
| popped in to your conscious mind at some stage. Let's | | | | - Eat fish and chips on the beach |
| look at this using a holiday as an example. | | | | - Buy at map |
| Have you ever heard anyone say I'll put our holiday on | | | | - Lock up. |
| my to-do list? On the other hand have you heard | | | | These can be useful AFTER you have done some |
| someone say I am planning a holiday? If you are like | | | | planning, but a list is not a plan. |
| most people I talk to you hear lots of people talk about | | | | It is simply a list of tasks that may or may not help you |
| planning their holiday - and they get excited about it. | | | | get what you want from your holiday journey. A plan |
| Why do most people plan their holiday? | | | | brings creates a framework that makes sense and |
| You plan your holiday because you want to have the | | | | creates synergy so the end outcome is achieved. A |
| most fun possible. You want to make the right | | | | plan links actions in a framework that helps you |
| decisions based on what you want to do or see. You | | | | achieve the bigger goal (have fun sightseeing). |
| want to maximise the use of your time and money. | | | | Two of the items on the list above seem un-related. |
| You don't want to waste anything. | | | | Go to antique shop. Eat fish and chips on the beach. |
| And that's what happens when you plan. | | | | As it turns out when planning the journey you find |
| Planning is about getting the outcome you want. A | | | | there is a little antique shop near a beach at a town |
| to-do list is about completing a task. To do lists are | | | | about 10 minutes off the highway you will be on. |
| typically a mix of many types of tasks that are related | | | | If you looked at each item on the list as an individual |
| to many different areas of your work and personal life. | | | | task to tick off you would not have found out about |
| Let's go back to the holiday for a minute | | | | this shop and beach. |
| Imagine you decide you will have a family holiday. As | | | | A to-do list is simply a list of tasks you think you need |
| part of the planning process you decide that you are | | | | to complete. My clients are telling me that their to-do list |
| going to drive to a holiday destination about 5 hours | | | | grows so big so quickly it becomes overwhelming for |
| from home. Your objective is to site-seeing along the | | | | them. Their lists make them less productive. |
| way and enjoy a relaxing drive. Planning involves | | | | A plan focuses you by getting you to think about the |
| considering these options and deciding what you want. | | | | outcome and link tasks together so you can achieve |
| Lists have tasks that get ticked off. Like: | | | | what you want. |
| - Pack | | | | |