STEP 2. WHEN DO YOU WANT IT DONE ?What is the deadline? Is it real like the one for Heart & Stroke month (by the way it's February in Ontario) or is it one you've set for yourself?
How much time (in total) do you need to "be ready"? It doesn't matter whether the date is "carved in stone" or flexible, how many weeks do you have between now and then.
If it's the deadline date you established and you just want to get this done by the date you pick then don't be easy on yourself. Pick an ending date and know that you can change it if you need to.
STEP 3. WHAT ARE THE KEY STEPS.Make a list of the key steps that must be done. List these in order but know that you can always insert a step you forgot.
You can start your list by writing it but type it on your computer later. Use a spreadsheet like Excel. Doing it on your computer allows you to change things or reorder or add steps and to print it out when you're done. (But don't print it yet!)
STEP 4. LIST THE TIME NEEDED FOR EACH STEP.You're on the computer in the file you created for this.
Call the column of steps something like "Step Detail".
Beside the column name above add these column names:
You should have three columns now: Step Detail, Time Needed and Deadline. Fill in the Time Needed and the Deadline for each step.
Does the deadline for the final step match the Project Deadline?
If not, review each step and how long you can or will spend on each. Make the appropriate changes.
NOW print this list and hang it nearby so you can see it every day.
STEP 5. PUT THE COMPLETION DATE ON A CALENDAR .What calendar do you see most often. Is it your day timer, a wall calendar or the electronic one on your computer. It's said that people use the time management system that works for them. What calendar do YOU use? Write or type it there.
Get your skates on. Set a deadline for saying yes and act on it. If your time
frame is more than six months or a year, think of a smaller
chunk
that you can say yes to in the next 1-3 months. That's the
time
frame most people can keep track of and plan for. Write down
your
"yes," put it in a safe place, and see what happens.
Keep learning, and until next time.
Trudy Van Buskirk
