Creating YOUR Roadmap: The 5 Minute Guide
Our Progress is determined by our ability to build up time working on the right tasks, in the right way. This means working on high value tasks connected to goals we care about, and taking effective action on those tasks. Use this quick intro to explain how to get started, or dowload the 5 MINUTE PLANNER GUIDE for more information.
Step ONE: Choose a Template & Open in a PDF READER like Adobe Acrobat
There are 3 planner pages you can choose from. They each contain different amounts of planning or Timeblocking space. Download each and see which you think fits best. NOTE: You will need to open your planner in ADOBE Acrobat Reader or similar to access the full functionality.
Expanded Planning
A 1 page planner that expands the space for planning. Add your key goals for the week and their next steps.
Step TWO: Fill in the PDF
Having opened your planner in ADOBE Acrobat or a PDF app, update it and make it YOURS. Customize the sections with your key long term goals, current week task reminders, recent progress, upcoming events, habits etc.
PDF NOTES
- Start with whatever section appeals most.
- Start small and don't worry about making it perfect. This is a daily planner, you'll learn what you want to see each day as you go along.
- You can zoom in to make the text easier to see and change. You can also scroll down and add text that will be saved but not printed. Use this for saving ideas or adding links and resources, without overwhelming your printed page.
- You can type in tasks to know you have to do each day. And you can type in reminders if your prefer.
- Remember to SAVE your updated page wherever you want to keep it.
Step THREE: Print and Plan
- Print the page. For best results later, I recommend choosing the Fit option button in the Page Sizing and Handling section. This means it will fold properly at the later stages.
- Personally, I keep the PDF open and update it during the day. Then I update properly at the end of the day and print the page - meaning I have the sheet ready on my desk for planning the next morning. Whenever you complete it though:
- Reconnect to your long term goals and your recent achievements.
- Block out the time in the schedule that is already committed and consider when you could fit in a deep work timeblock.
- Review the priorities you have chosen and fill in your main goals for the day, and any other tasks you need to remember by hand. I like to cross off the printed next steps as I make one a task for the day.
Step FOUR: FOLD ....
If you like using the planner in the traditional full page way, there is no need for this step. But if you want to remove the distraction and have just one area propped up as a reminder, then time to fold ...
Fold in Half
Turn your planner horizontally, and fold in half. Create a sharp fold, but don't worry about getting it perfect!
From here, fold again
You can use the planner in half, isolating just today. Or, to prop it up as a reminder, just fold in half again.
Creating quarters
Once in quarters, you'll find you can rotate and adjust to display any of the quarter panes, or even two of them.
Step FOUR: Fold and ... FOCUS
- Either fold the sheet and display your key tasks and events to keep you on track throughout the day, or consider focusing down onto What's Important NOW? and completing a deep work timeblock.
In a timeblock you will DEFINE how long you will work and on what, and then DEFEND that time from distractions, internal and external. For more information on timeblocking with the planner, check out the guide.
CHECK OUT THE FULL GUIDE
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