Select a key project for in-depth planning.
I often find it helpful to slip away from my office to focus on a major project that needs extra attention. A local coffee shop, for example, provides a creative environment where I can spend 60 to 90 minutes making a project come to life.
I go through through a five-step planning process given to me by David Allen, author of Getting Things Done. The five steps are:
- Define the purpose. Why am I doing this project anyway? What is the purpose?
- Envision the outcome. How will I know if I’ve achieve success? What will “wild success” look like?
- Brainstorm. What are all the possible and crazy ideas I can think of to get the project done successfully. (BTW, I’m a huge fan of mind mapping, a form of non-linear brainstorming.)
- Organize. What are the natural categories, priorities and sequence of ideas generated from the brainstorming?
- Determine next actions. Where do I start? What needs to be done next?
Posted by Duane Hallock 
I communicate with passion and purpose to inspire those searching for beauty and truth.
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