Plan Ahead in Stages

Automotive Manufacturing & Production, May, 2000 by Ted Pollock

Many people treat every problem as though it had to be solved immediately. Little wonder that they are bewildered by their jobs and overwhelmed by details. If they would take the time to separate long-range from immediate problems, they would do far better with both.

When planning ahead, it's usually best to begin by looking far ahead. What do you hope to accomplish during the coming year? Taking this view will compel you to identify not only programs but objectives. You will have to separate those things that have to be done from those that may be desirable, but not absolutely necessary.

Such an analysis also helps you distinguish the almost certain from the probable, the probable from the possible, and the possible from the impossible.

Once you've looked down the road 12 months ahead, you can break down your time-steps to one month, then to one week, and finally to tomorrow.

Tomorrow is always decisive. It's one of the most useful future days because its outlines can be seen clearly.