Planning can only happen once you have a goal. My goal is to make the most amount of money with the least amount of effort. I need to be efficient, effective, and aware of what’s going on. I need to get the job done. So now that I have the job, and I know my goal, I need to plan it.

You need to plan every single thing of every single job, completely, 100 percent. You need to be totally completely zeroed in, and totally focused on that job to get it done perfectly, as fast as you possibly can. Listen, plans change. Everything you plan and everything you’re doing is subject to change—instantly—if the situation changes. If I’m working on a single project, new information comes in that I did not have, and circumstances changed that I didn’t anticipate, then my plan might be changed. But first you must have a plan.

• Be accountable. You need to be held accountable for your plans and your actions. You also need to set a standard. When you set your goal, make a commitment publicly. If you expose yourself, you put pressure on yourself to succeed. You have someone holding you accountable.
• Be ready to work. You need to work with an uncluttered mind like you do with an uncluttered workspace. There are a few basic rules to follow when planning:
  • Know your priorities based on your goals.
  • Schedule time to organize your weeks, months, and year. What items on your to-do lists have a time deadline? What happens first? What are you trying to accomplish?
  • Write things down and have a master to-do list in one place.
    
• Commit to a plan. Once you have a goal and a plan, you need to do whatever you must to get qualified (trained) to be competent to follow through on your plan. You need to be your #1 competitor and take ownership of your actions.
• Update your plans. Once you’ve made your plans and lists, make sure you’re working on your priorities. Eliminate anything that’s no longer needed. Look at every action you take and determine if it’s helping you reach your goals. If it isn’t, don’t do it! If there are any schedule conflicts, resolve them as early as possible. If you have something to do and can’t get it done, plan to complete it the next day—or at the next available opportunity. Never let a missed appointment cause a delay for the rest of the day.
  
  • Delegate responsibility and accountability.
  • Set objectives and deadlines.
  • Utilize commercially available organizers, tablets, or apps.
    

Studies have shown that using a paper-and-pen planning method actually improves outcomes. The feel of the paper and the act of writing your priorities on lists helps you organize your mind as you’re doing it. It also makes you think of additional things relevant to the project as you’re writing. For some people, there’s something positive about carrying a small notebook or index card with their plans for the day in their own handwriting. Once you’ve mapped out what you want to accomplish, you need to get it on your calendar and commit to it daily.

Organize your time and plan wisely. One of our greatest faults is not being disciplined with our schedules. Staying busy and working very long hours doesn’t equal effective productivity or leadership.