| You may not have come across this highly | | | | are to enjoy the really good things. |
| effective technique in your previous time | | | | Next label a box "obstacles". This is where time |
| management training. Even though "project | | | | management training really misses the mark most |
| mapping" sounds scary it's so easy a child can do | | | | of the time because you don't actively identify |
| it, and it really simplifies things that on the surface | | | | the things that could get in your way, so when |
| may seem complicated. You can use this | | | | they happen your stuck. Draw an arrow from |
| technique to get things done whether those things | | | | your obstacles box and write out the obstacles |
| are projects, goals, events or any activity or | | | | that could get in your way, and then draw an |
| task. | | | | arrow from each obstacle and list the potential |
| The key to this time management training idea is | | | | solutions to overcoming that obstacle. This way |
| to quickly get everything that's important for the | | | | you have a ready tool kit to head off trouble as |
| project down on paper. Begin by writing a project | | | | soon as it comes up, and you can choose the |
| name in the center of your horizontally placed | | | | solution that you've identified that'll work best. |
| paper. Please recognize that this isn't an exercise | | | | Label another box "desired sequence". Here's |
| that requires neatness or beauty. Rather it's an | | | | where the rubber meets the road. From this box |
| exercise that gets all your important thoughts | | | | draw arrows to list each action step that you or |
| down in one place for quick reference and easy | | | | some one that you delegate a step to will need |
| organization. | | | | to take. Number the action steps into the most |
| Now that the project is in the center of the page | | | | logical sequence recognizing that you could have a |
| you want to start filling in around the project. You | | | | 1a, 1b, 1c etc. for steps that require several |
| may want to put the project name in a circle or | | | | people to act at the same time. |
| box to make it stand out on the page. Next | | | | Get each action step from your project mapping |
| make another box labeled "the big benefit". Draw | | | | onto your lowly to do list. The lowly, simple yet |
| arrows from this box and write out the big | | | | highly effective "to do" list is often overlooked in |
| benefit that results from the completion of this | | | | time management training, but that doesn't make |
| project. You will find that occasionally when you | | | | it any less powerful. Have one and only one "to |
| evaluate the potential benefits of a project before | | | | do" list for the week, and put all the actions steps |
| you even start, that you find the project isn't | | | | that must be taken on your list. Then looking at all |
| even worth doing, and then you save yourself a | | | | the "to do" items for the whole week prioritize |
| whole lot of wasted time, effort, and resources. | | | | them each day, and check off each item as it's |
| It's always a good time management training | | | | completed. |
| practice to evaluate the bad consequences of not | | | | Using this project mapping technique as part of |
| doing something. Make another box labeled "bad | | | | your time management improvements can result |
| consequences" some where on the page. Now | | | | in a lot less stress. The project mapping process |
| draw arrows from the box and write out the | | | | only takes about 10 minutes, a blank piece of |
| things that would happen if this project doesn't | | | | paper, a pencil and presto you have the whole |
| get completed or completed on time. The funny | | | | project laid out. The project gets done with few |
| thing is that most of the time you are more | | | | if any hitches, and you have more time for other |
| motivated to avoid the really bad things than you | | | | things. |