Grand visions can be as daunting and disheartening as they can be inspiring and motivating. The secret to making your vision come to life is to break it down into small doable action steps that will gradually get you to where you want to be.
No matter how many new technological innovations are created to improve our efficiency and productivity, we all have just 24 hours in every day. Nobody was given a 25 hour day. Ever.
And while you can’t add more hours to the day, you CAN make better use of the hours you have.
It’s called time chunking, and it’s a whole new way of looking at your goals, visions and ambitions.
Chunking is a way of breaking down larger goals into more realistically achievable steps. The process helps you to identify all the smaller tasks that are involved in achieving a bigger aim, and create a timeline to get them done.
As you move forward with a series of realistic mini goals, you are constantly rewarded with a sense of achievement that keeps you motivated, excited and on track.
Begin with the End in Mind
Say your vision is to create an online home-study course. Think about the different steps you need to take to develop this product and actually make it happen.
If you’re a visual person, create a visual map of your goal. Using the example of creating an online course, you would draw a circle in the middle of a whiteboard or large sheet of paper and fill in your goal: your online course. Now map out all the steps out you need to take to achieve this goal, such as:
- Choosing your target market
- Getting clear on your topic
- Creating content
- Marketing your course
- Launching your course
With your list of all the smaller tasks you can begin to create a timeline for them. Each step should be something that is comfortably achievable in the time slots that you have available.
Solid Time Chunks
If time chunking is going to work for you, it’s imperative that you book these solid time blocks in your schedule and protect them from distractions or things that seem urgent but aren’t.
Begin by assessing which of your tasks need “solid” chunks of time and which need “split” chunks.
Here are the two types of tasks to reserve for your solid time chunks:
- Big Thinking. Tasks that need a running start and that require creative or strategic thinking, such as planning and writing your e-course. Each time you stop and start these tasks, you lose time as well as thinking power.
- Production Line. Any task that follows the same sequence of steps each time. For example, processing emails, paying bills, invoicing and shipping tasks can be handled much more efficiently if you get them all done at once. All the tools you need are in front of you and you’re “in the groove” of that particular task. Use a checklist to guide your work.
Split Time Chunks
This is “found” time, such as waiting on hold or in line, traveling by public transportation, or if you arrive early for a meeting. Keep a list of tasks you can do wherever you are. Important note: Be sure to have a system in place for transferring information back to your desk, computer or project folder if you’re working remotely.
Here’s what you can check off your list during your split time chunks:
- Project Details. For example, booking or confirming a meeting time or picking something up from the printer. Phone calls and brief email responses (that you identified when you “processed” your email during a solid time chunk) also fit into this category.
- Miscellaneous. Tasks that may not be associated with a specific project but still need to get done, such as ordering office supplies or replying to general inquiries and customer service requests.
The real power of chunking is in the creation of small, achievable steps. When you stay focused on your one next step, you are confident about what you know you can achieve and secure in the knowledge that you will get to the other tasks in their allotted time-slots.
When you do the right task in the right chunk of time, you’ll be amazed at how much more productive you are! Your “to do” list will get shorter, you’ll enjoy more peace of mind and you’ll stop wasting time trying to recapture your creative flow.