I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Tina Russell
Walter
· 1 year ago
Plan your work
and
work your plan! :-)
Bill Baumgartner
· 1 year ago
Mike, I am going to make every effort to plan my day in advance.
Mike, I have been getting your info for a year now and am putting most of it into practice....SLOWLY. One of the most useful tools I have found is this PLANNING YOUR DAY IN ADVANCE... I print out tomorrow's calendar the last thing every nite and it is the first thing I see when I return to my desk in the morning. Makes the day soooo much more productive! Kate
Laurie
· 1 year ago
I do this when I'm thinking about just getting out of bed. It's what gets me out of bed. What all I have to do before I go to work, I need to plan the whole day the night before. So I kinda sorta do this and at least it gets me out of bed and even thankful for a new day. Always and forever THANKFUL
Laurie
M.Nasir
· 1 year ago
Thankyou Mike, you defined a greate tool for the success in life,
Charles Evans
· 1 year ago
Playing your day is essential. An extension of this idea is to plan you week in advance. I spend about an hour on the weekend planing and making sure that all of my appointments are calendared. I list all of the task that I want to accomplish that week. These tasks are then prioritized. These big stones are then assigned to day with time to accomplish them. One rule is if they will require more than one day to accomplish then the task must be broken into smaller pieces. I have two simple rule for planning. 1) All task must be prioritized, 2) It must be doable in one day or broken into smaller pieces. I enjoy your posts. Daily planning is not one of my challenges. Thanks, Bud
John Watson
· 1 year ago
Great advice as usual. I think someone paid hundreds of thousands of dollars (in today's money)for similar advice in the early 20th century.
I always get more done when I plan in advance but still welcome a reminder to plan as I don't always plan in spite of knowing the benefits.
I do have a daily plan, however, of spending an hour on learning a skill like html and an hour on an overwhelming task like tidying my room! I also try to spend an hour focusing on my main goal for the day.
Thanks again Mike for great advice
John Watson
Chuck
· 1 year ago
I have lived day to day for years. And I feel like I'm sometimes in an endless tunnel. I will try to engage myself and follow your Plan a day in Advance idea. I'm sure it will help me greatly. Thanks for your advice.
copywriter
· 1 year ago
I you fail to plan, you plan to fail!
Charlotte Babb
· 1 year ago
Funny thing, I just wrote a list of the things that need to be done in the next few days, some of them today.
I find that setting an intention at might as I am going to bed to do a specific task, especially one that seems hard or intimidating makes the task much easier.
For example, I will decide to revise the landing page for one of my products first thing.
When I set my intent, thinking to myself or even saying out lout, "In the morning I'll revise the XYZ landing page and it will go well," then it does go well. Tasks that have seemed impossible will suddenly fall into place just with putting the thought in mind.
It works best to put one thought in mind, not a dozen.
Kaiti
· 1 year ago
I have to agree with the planning. There's nothing worse then looking around with alot to do.....sorta like standing at the buffet wondering what to eat. Awsome Ideas, keep them coming!
wisdom Aloka
· 1 year ago
Fantastic job Mike, your articles always blow mw away you have a unique talent I long to acquire. I love your style so much you are my coach. keep on with the good job. Wisdom.
L.A.
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the reminder, I use to plan some days and let some days just happen...:-)
Plan, Plan, Plan
LA
John Clark
· 1 year ago
Mike,
One of the things that work for me is an end of the day brain dump, followed by a next day to do list.
It's amazing how much better the sleep at night is. And the next day even if I forget my to do list, the activity pops into my head when I need it. I can't explain it but I don't miss much on my to do list.
But it has become a habit for me, and I am thankful I have it.
I use a method that you talked about on one of your CD's. You take the 3x5 or 4x6 cue card and before you go to bed you write down the 6 most important things that you have to do the next day and then number them 1-6. You don't do #2 until you've completed #1 and so on. That was great advice Mike because when used it works great. I've had days where I procrastinated the night before and told myself I would just write it in the morning but when I woke up since I didn't have a written plan for my day I didn't get much done. I think being organized with your time is crucial to success of any kind.
Have a great day Mike!
Robert Garcia Florida
Rufus III
· 1 year ago
You Mike, are so right! Planning is everything. I heard one say that, "I rather trust a short pencil, than a long memory!"
Thanks for the blog COACH....love ya!!!
Kathy
· 1 year ago
Mike,
I definitely have to plan my day in order to get all the things I want to get done completed. Long ago I heard the statement about activity does not equal accomplishment so I try to keep that in mind. And for some reason, there is just something so positive about marking one of the "things to do" off your list!
I recently got back into lifting weights. I had done this in the past, but the experience has been entirely different this time. I picked up Arnold’s Encyclopedia of body building, which, by the way, is filled with ton’s a great concepts that can be applied to many areas of life – Arnold is one amazing dude. Anyway, each day, sometime before I get to the gym, I jot down the exercises recommended by the book for that day and bring the list to the gym. The sheet is a simple checklist – a plan. As a result, I’m accomplishing exactly what I want to in this area of my life.
If I didn’t have a plan, it would be easy to go home after my body got tired. If I didn’t make the list, I could see myself skipping the trip to the gym altogether. But with my checklist, I just can’t let myself go home until every exercise checked off, no matter how long it takes or how tired my body gets.
I use tons of lists at work and in other area of my life too. Many items don’t fit into a “to do/done” list, but the concept is the same. Building a clear plan when your mind is clear definitely gets keeps you moving in the right direction as you mind and body tire.
-Adam
Copywriter
· 1 year ago
Tell 'm about the Success 6, Mike. Write down the six most important things you want to do the next day. And do them in order of importance! Great tool.
Terry
· 1 year ago
Brian Tracy and Zig Ziglar have said this for years, and it is true. We become that which we think most about. My mother always told us "When you have nothing to do, that's what you do! Nothing". Someone else suggested reading a biography of a person that interests you. Good advice. Think about it: if Helen Keller (a deaf and blind person) was able to become one of the world's best communicators as well as a delegate to Japan after WWII, how difficult could it be for you? Just get interested and see what happens! It's your choice, after all...
John Fentress
· 1 year ago
Hi Mike,
I have long lived a life that might be called "spontaneous" (i.e. unplanned). In some creative efforts (I am an academic) this often but not always worked well. With the pragmatic side of life (such as paying bills and washing dishes) it was easy to let things pile up. Spontaneity was replaced by chaos. Now that I have moved into the realm of health coaching it is imperative that I not only plan ahead, but help my clients do so as well. Its good advice. I'll work to incorporate your advice, and help my clients do the same.
Thanks,
John
CW
· 1 year ago
Another way to put it:
People don't plan to fail, They fail to plan!
John Stockwell
· 1 year ago
Mike,
1%. Works. Started checking into on-line sales a few months back (1%) and became interested (1%). Ordered a couple of 'how to' items (1%) and found 1 of them suited to my thinking (1%). Planned 4 days of my year (1%) to work with it during a planned period of time-off next month (1%), so as to maintain my current income stream (1%) and avoid losing my focus by fretting about $ (1%)
So far I am at 10% and looking forward to make that 1% period of time worth 90% leverage on the year's income.
Yup, 1% works
Nikki Jourdan
· 1 year ago
Mike,
Great advice and it works. It is amazing how doing one thing over and over develops into a habit. Now it's second nature...and I never want to regress, ha!
Thanks Coach!
Timoteo Arao
· 1 year ago
I used to do it;that is to have the whole plan of next day.That time I realized it was an excellent idea.
Vijaya
· 1 year ago
Thank you for this advice. I think I need to plan my day in advance to improve productivity in my job.
Regards,
Vijaya
katie
· 1 year ago
Hi Mike - funny as I've just been revisiting the 7 habits by steven covey and in particular wanting to get back into the habit of planning ahead, in a goal-focused and prioritising way. I know I can do it and that it makes everything work better - but I have let it slip over the last 3 months and so grateful for your reminder. Thanks for your encouragement - always so well timed!
Dawn
· 1 year ago
Mike,
This is why you are such a great coach. Start with/remind of the basics. I loved the "AT LEAST 1%" It makes me feel like I can start by doing something! Takes some of the pressure off of doing it perfectly right away that I always feel when I learn about more things "I should be doing." Heck, I could probably tackle 5, or 10 percent!
Thanks for always encouraging and reminding me not to give up.
dimitri
· 1 year ago
Thanks Mike again your words of wisdom reminding us to do the formula of success as sometimes we may forget an important ingredient which is to plan the day in advance. Positive vibes to you my friend always kindly, Dimitri.
Cori Fugate
· 1 year ago
I have been doing this Mike, and I have found that you start out with a little list and it gets a little longer and all of a sudden ...you're in business and you can still sleep at night!! You don't have to worry because you know you already wrote it down!!
Janet J
· 1 year ago
Thanks for the reminder, I'd been feeling scattered and stressed lately.
Jeanne May
· 1 year ago
Great idea Mike! It is so simple, incredibly easy to put into practice... if we are committed to our own growth it is easy. Like many people, I had the "I'll wing it" habit for quite a while but not having any plan meant I spent untold time and energy getting nowhere very quickly! Not now!
Back in the early 1960's when my mom had six kids under the age of ten, she invented the first life management system I've ever heard of for her own personal use (and sanity). She's always been a woman ahead of her time and I'm so grateful to have her as a role model. Planning your day makes a huge difference to how you live. It'll save way more than the few minutes of time it takes to put into practice. Good habits make a great future! Thanks, Mike!
Mike Hallowell
· 1 year ago
This will knock'em down! Thanks Coach!
David Aharon Lindsay
· 1 year ago
Mike I heard this on a real estate show years ago
A pair of Short Twins were on the show with the flamboyant PINK suits and made one statement that hits home at everyone of us.
'It's not that we PLAN to fail, but that we FAIL to plan.'
Eery day I am answering emails .. and working on studying the laws of Success principles.
Due to Happy circumstances in my control I am getting to classify over 300 ebooks on the laws of success. by author, A project that came about after I broke my shoulder.
Deola
· 1 year ago
This has been one of your best yet. Thanks. Just what I need to apply. You know how you recognise what your solution is as soon as you see it. It dawned on my spirit that I had known this all along infact I used o do it but I stopped, but call it mental laziness or what. But thanks. You got to me.
You are a great man. You dont need anyone to tell you that. Thanks again.
marynieves
· 1 year ago
So very true.You need to plan the night before the 6 most important things to do.If you dont practice this you become unmotivated and life is so short.Very inspiring you site.I really enjoy reading this.
All Comments
Tina Russell
and
work your plan! :-)
I am going to make every effort to plan my day in advance.
I know this is basic, but powerful.
Thanks for the reminder.
Bill
www.gathergreatness.com
I have been getting your info for a year now and am putting most of it into practice....SLOWLY. One of the most useful tools I have found is this PLANNING YOUR DAY IN ADVANCE... I print out tomorrow's calendar the last thing every nite and it is the first thing I see when I return to my desk in the morning. Makes the day soooo much more productive!
Kate
Laurie
I always get more done when I plan in advance but still welcome a reminder to plan as I don't always plan in spite of knowing the benefits.
I do have a daily plan, however, of spending an hour on learning a skill like html and an hour on an overwhelming task like tidying my room! I also try to spend an hour focusing on my main goal for the day.
Thanks again Mike for great advice
John Watson
I'm sure it will help me greatly. Thanks for your advice.
I find that setting an intention at might as I am going to bed to do a specific task, especially one that seems hard or intimidating makes the task much easier.
For example, I will decide to revise the landing page for one of my products first thing.
When I set my intent, thinking to myself or even saying out lout, "In the morning I'll revise the XYZ landing page and it will go well," then it does go well. Tasks that have seemed impossible will suddenly fall into place just with putting the thought in mind.
It works best to put one thought in mind, not a dozen.
Awsome Ideas, keep them coming!
Wisdom.
Plan, Plan, Plan
LA
One of the things that work for me is an end of the day brain dump, followed by a next day to do list.
It's amazing how much better the sleep at night is. And the next day even if I forget my to do list, the activity pops into my head when I need it. I can't explain it but I don't miss much on my to do list.
But it has become a habit for me, and I am thankful I have it.
Here's to Your LifetoSuccess,
John Clark
http://www.lifetosuccess.com
http://www.habitbustingsystem.com
Have a great day Mike!
Robert Garcia
Florida
Thanks for the blog COACH....love ya!!!
I definitely have to plan my day in order to get all the things I want to get done completed. Long ago I heard the statement about activity does not equal accomplishment so I try to keep that in mind. And for some reason, there is just something so positive about marking one of the "things to do" off your list!
Kathy
www.MoreTimeandMoney.biz
I recently got back into lifting weights. I had done this in the past, but the experience has been entirely different this time. I picked up Arnold’s Encyclopedia of body building, which, by the way, is filled with ton’s a great concepts that can be applied to many areas of life – Arnold is one amazing dude. Anyway, each day, sometime before I get to the gym, I jot down the exercises recommended by the book for that day and bring the list to the gym. The sheet is a simple checklist – a plan. As a result, I’m accomplishing exactly what I want to in this area of my life.
If I didn’t have a plan, it would be easy to go home after my body got tired. If I didn’t make the list, I could see myself skipping the trip to the gym altogether. But with my checklist, I just can’t let myself go home until every exercise checked off, no matter how long it takes or how tired my body gets.
I use tons of lists at work and in other area of my life too. Many items don’t fit into a “to do/done” list, but the concept is the same. Building a clear plan when your mind is clear definitely gets keeps you moving in the right direction as you mind and body tire.
-Adam
Write down the six most important things you want to do the next day. And do them in order of importance!
Great tool.
I have long lived a life that might be called "spontaneous" (i.e. unplanned). In some creative efforts (I am an academic) this often but not always worked well. With the pragmatic side of life (such as paying bills and washing dishes) it was easy to let things pile up. Spontaneity was replaced by chaos. Now that I have moved into the realm of health coaching it is imperative that I not only plan ahead, but help my clients do so as well. Its good advice. I'll work to incorporate your advice, and help my clients do the same.
Thanks,
John
People don't plan to fail, They fail to plan!
1%. Works.
Started checking into on-line sales a few months back (1%) and became interested (1%). Ordered a couple of 'how to' items (1%) and found 1 of them suited to my thinking (1%). Planned 4 days of my year (1%) to work with it during a planned period of time-off next month (1%), so as to maintain my current income stream (1%) and avoid losing my focus by fretting about $ (1%)
So far I am at 10% and looking forward to make that 1% period of time worth 90% leverage on the year's income.
Yup, 1% works
Great advice and it works. It is amazing how doing one thing over and over develops into a habit. Now it's second nature...and I never want to regress, ha!
Thanks Coach!
Regards,
Vijaya
This is why you are such a great coach. Start with/remind of the basics. I loved the "AT LEAST 1%" It makes me feel like I can start by doing something! Takes some of the pressure off of doing it perfectly right away that I always feel when I learn about more things "I should be doing." Heck, I could probably tackle 5, or 10 percent!
Thanks for always encouraging and reminding me not to give up.
Jeanne
http://www.goalsnaspirations.com
A pair of Short Twins were on the show with the flamboyant PINK suits and made one statement that hits home at everyone of us.
'It's not that we PLAN to fail, but that we FAIL to plan.'
Eery day I am answering emails .. and working on studying the laws of Success principles.
Due to Happy circumstances in my control I am getting to classify over 300 ebooks on the laws of success. by author, A project that came about after I broke my shoulder.
You are a great man. You dont need anyone to tell you that. Thanks again.