Framing the right perspective-Horizons of Focus

G

gtderik

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I recently went through an exercise with myself that I thought I would share. I copied my Areas of Focus list in to 3 separate Palm Memo files, one for 20k, one for 30k, and one for 40k. Copying the AOF in to the 30k and 40k gave me a great framework from which to do some creative thinking at the appropriate horizon.

Doing this gave me perspectives on the areas that I had never thought of before. It truly forced me to envision the forward trajectory of each growth area of my life. Perhaps everyone had already done this, but it was a big eye opener for me. What was especially useful was planting a vision, and then breaking it down further to 1-2 year goals and also taking ideas from both horizons and dropping them down to my Projects and Action lists.

Up until this point my Altitudes had just random thoughts on them. Structuring them this way really helped pinpoint my Vertical Focus.

Has anyone done similar exercises/suggestions that they would like to share?
 
Trick From Telecoaching with Meg

I did a session with Meg Edwards a few months ago. One of the big "ah-has" that session gave me was to begin my project list with the Area of Focus each project applied to. For instance, this year will be my 25th wedding anniversary. I want to plan SOMETHING, but don't yet know what. My project looks like this:

Relationships - Plan 25th Wedding anniversary celebration

My "next action" around this is: Brainstorm various anniversary celebration possibilities

I find starting with the Area of Focus helps keep me focused on ALL of the areas of life. I'm a business owner, so if I leave it to chance I have a tendency to spend way too much time on my business and neglect virtually all other areas of my life.

Hope this helps someone!
 
Barb-nice idea

Barb, I like that idea.

I think that I remember something similar from Sally McGhee's Take Back Your Life.

Question: do you feel like the extra effort in prefacing your projects is worth the effort? Can you comment on that?

It certainly is a systematic way of ensuring that you are "stirring every one of your pots".

Thanks,
Erik
 
Effort

gtderik;63206 said:
Barb, I like that idea.

I think that I remember something similar from Sally McGhee's Take Back Your Life.

Question: do you feel like the extra effort in prefacing your projects is worth the effort? Can you comment on that?

It certainly is a systematic way of ensuring that you are "stirring every one of your pots".

Thanks,
Erik
Click to expand...

Erik,

It takes me mere fractions of a second to do this!
 
I kind of go backwards. I've listed each of my Areas of Responsibility, and underneath each Area I have a bulleted list of goals. I then compare that to my Projects list every month. For example:

Programming
  • Facebook application
  • Online GURPS Character Generator
Writing
  • Monthly short story
  • Young Adult novel
 
I had my first coaching call with Julie Ireland this week and she made this suggestion as well which struck me as brilliant.

What better way to keep your 20,000 feet roles in the front of your mind?

Chris
 
gtderik;63198 said:
Has anyone done similar exercises/suggestions?
Click to expand...

I'm starting the same approach, after I read Making it all work. I think this book is important after you start-up your GTD.

After this reading, for me, it's absolutely more clear the importance to define your different Horizon of focus. If you clarify them you have the right perspective. Just today I spoke with my boss about this. I think you could wonder but when we talk about the goals of this year, on five there was a difference of two!
 
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