We all know planning can boost productivity, but what if you're planning too much? In this episode, we're asking seven key questions to help you implement a planning process that supports your workday, rather than hindering it.
00:00 The Importance of Planning for Productivity
01:19 Assessing Your Work Style: Reactive vs Proactive
03:12 Solo vs Collaborative Work: Planning Considerations
04:42 Variety in Work: Planning for Repetitive vs Variable Tasks
06:42 Understanding Overlaps: How Plans Interact
07:55 Integrating Work and Life: Planning for Balance
09:23 Finding Your Planning Style: Minimum Viable Plans
10:20 Reflecting on Your Planning: Learning and Adapting
While planning can improve productivity, reduce stress, and increase efficiency, it can also lead to unnecessary pressure and mismanaged expectations. The key is to find a planning routine that's the right fit for your job and your personal style. The host, Niamh, outlines seven questions to help listeners determine the appropriate level of planning. She starts by asking if your work is reactive or proactive. For reactive roles, such as customer service, there may be little need for a detailed plan, as the day is mostly spent responding to queries. For a proactive role, such as a writer, a plan is essential to ensure work gets done. Another question is whether your work is solo or collaborative. If you rely on input from others, your plan needs to have enough wiggle room to account for their schedules. Considering these factors can help you avoid frustration and manage expectations.
Niamh also encourages listeners to consider whether their work is varied or repetitive. If your work is very repetitive, a detailed plan may not be needed, but if it is varied, regular planning is necessary to adapt to changes. You should also consider who your plan overlaps with. If your entire plan can be derailed by another person or team, you need to factor in buffer time. The level of integration between your work and personal life is also a key factor. Finally, Niamh asks about your personal planning preference and whether you are planning for progress or simply "procrasti-planning". If you're spending more than 15-30 minutes a week planning, you may be overdoing it. The goal is for your plan to enable action, not serve as an excuse for inaction.
Welcome to The Better Workday Podcast with your host, Niamh Moynihan. Niamh is the founder of Better Workday. She will challenge you to think differently about how you manage your time, energy, attention and relationships at work to be successful while supporting your well-being.
In each episode Niamh shares new insights and practical ideas to help you create a better workday.
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