I am thinking about some things, usually those that will end up being a project , that. Put into my innocence that i don't know what I want to do about it yet. For example fix x. I know that I am going to have to fix x bit haven't yet decided how. So do I just put the next action as "plan how to fix x"?
It's ok to have planning / plan as the next action right?
- Thread starter macgrl
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kelstarrising
Kelly | GTD expert
Yes, as long as "plan" is a clear next action to you. What do you physically, visibly see yourself doing when you plan?
As kelstar says, the closer it is to a visible physical action, the better. Verbs like "plan" are similar to the notorious "decide" when it comes to next actions.
Focusing on the outcome can help. What are you holding in your hand when you're done? If it's a draft of the plan, then "draft plan" is fine. If it's a stack of research materials, "research approaches" is also fine.
If you've never sat down and meaningfully forced yourself to explicitly go through every step of the Natural Planning Model, it's a worthwhile exercise.
Cheers,
Roger
Focusing on the outcome can help. What are you holding in your hand when you're done? If it's a draft of the plan, then "draft plan" is fine. If it's a stack of research materials, "research approaches" is also fine.
If you've never sat down and meaningfully forced yourself to explicitly go through every step of the Natural Planning Model, it's a worthwhile exercise.
Cheers,
Roger
Suelin23
Simplicity on the far side of complexity
Of course. You just need to think first about what you mean by plan. For me, I've defined plan as 'use the natural planning model', as distinct from researching on the internet, asking others for ideas, etc, which may have different contexts and therefore go on different lists.
Natural planning model
As far a just planning is concerned, you'd be surprised what a walk through the steps of the natural planning model can do to these kinds of "planning actions."
That said, I too have these kind of next actions but they are more specific and I usually use the questions in the project planning trigger list in making it all work.
As far a just planning is concerned, you'd be surprised what a walk through the steps of the natural planning model can do to these kinds of "planning actions."
That said, I too have these kind of next actions but they are more specific and I usually use the questions in the project planning trigger list in making it all work.
Thank you all so much for your replies, it is very much appreciated. I will have "draft plan using natural planning method" as the next action when I get stuck 
It is also my understanding that "more planning" is a viable next action say when you can define what your first few next actions for a project but then you don't know what you will do then due to circumstances that will arise from the first few defined next actions. That's ok?
For example I have a big project that I have partly planned and have worked out what the first 4/5 next actions will be. I haven't bothered with the rest as I wanted to get going and see what happened. So when I have done those 4/5 my next action is "more planning"
It is also my understanding that "more planning" is a viable next action say when you can define what your first few next actions for a project but then you don't know what you will do then due to circumstances that will arise from the first few defined next actions. That's ok?
For example I have a big project that I have partly planned and have worked out what the first 4/5 next actions will be. I haven't bothered with the rest as I wanted to get going and see what happened. So when I have done those 4/5 my next action is "more planning"
kelstarrising
Kelly | GTD expert
Sure, if that's clear for you. That's always the key. When you pick that next action up a few days or weeks from now, it should be clear to you what to do--like a bookmark you've placed in a book tells you where to start reading again.
On the flip side, if "do more planning" is not enough, get even more specific about what that means to you, for example, "do a mindmap" or "look through my project notes".
When I have an idea in my inbox that needs further planning, I put it in one of two places...
Agendas: I put the next action in my Agendas context for myself. In other words, I can brainstorm physically anywhere, and I really need to review the whole project with myself, thus the best spot for me is in the Agendas. Yes, I actually keep an Agendas context for myself for things I need to take time to think about anywhere.
Someday/Maybe: If it's something I may want to do, naturally I stick it in this context until I decide to ditch it or put it in my own Agendas to plan it out.
Agendas: I put the next action in my Agendas context for myself. In other words, I can brainstorm physically anywhere, and I really need to review the whole project with myself, thus the best spot for me is in the Agendas. Yes, I actually keep an Agendas context for myself for things I need to take time to think about anywhere.
Someday/Maybe: If it's something I may want to do, naturally I stick it in this context until I decide to ditch it or put it in my own Agendas to plan it out.
Planning as next action
"Yes, as long as "plan" is a clear next action to you. What do you physically, visibly see yourself doing when you plan?"
Kelly hits the nail on the head with this one.
I have found mindmapping so helpful throughout the years that it is usually the first stage of my planning. If planning will involve more than one step, it becomes a project and goes on that list. Then "Mindmap Project A" becomes the next action, and usually goes in my "Office" list.
"Yes, as long as "plan" is a clear next action to you. What do you physically, visibly see yourself doing when you plan?"
Kelly hits the nail on the head with this one.
I have found mindmapping so helpful throughout the years that it is usually the first stage of my planning. If planning will involve more than one step, it becomes a project and goes on that list. Then "Mindmap Project A" becomes the next action, and usually goes in my "Office" list.
C
camellia89
Guest
it is true. if we have planning / plan, we will know how to arrange time and other things logistically. Finally, we will work effectively.
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Open Source Development
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Open Source Development
"Plan Project" would leave me with a blank. My tasks like this are more specific, but still without demanding a result, because if I demand a result I may freeze up. So my tasks might be like:
- Spend fifteen minutes brainstorming into a text file re Project.
or
- Spend half an hour reading Project documentation and taking notes.
or
- Spend twenty minutes talking to Joe about ideas for Project.
If I can't even get this specific, the task is:
- Write a task for planning Project.
Gardener
- Spend fifteen minutes brainstorming into a text file re Project.
or
- Spend half an hour reading Project documentation and taking notes.
or
- Spend twenty minutes talking to Joe about ideas for Project.
If I can't even get this specific, the task is:
- Write a task for planning Project.
Gardener