Soft skill planning

Soft skill planning
13 Nov, 2007, 0658 hrs IST, TNN

Try to do your planning at the same time every day. Use this time to review past accomplishments as well. Look at your schedule for tomorrow and note your available or non-scheduled time. Use one planner to keep track of your appointments . Keeping a separate business &personal planner creates confusion. Write out a To Do list every day.

Include items that can be completed, such as “Prepare exhibits for monthly report” , rather than just “Work on report.” Separate your To Do list into A, B and C priorities . “A” items are important to your long term success, “B” may be urgent but not as important and “C” are those that would be nice to do if you get the time. Start with the A items. Don’t work on a C just because it’s easy to do.

Also, break your A items into small manageable chunks, so they’re easy to accomplish. Check off items as you complete them to give yourself a sense of accomplishment. Block off time in your planner for major activities . Schedule loosely. Leave yourself enough free time to deal with interruptions and emergencies . Make a daily appointment with yourself for at least 30 minutes (sixty minutes is better). Close your door. Work on whatever must be done.