Implementing the Life Navigation Hierarchy
Following up on this post.
This post is going to be about one way to keep track of the things you want to accomplish at the various levels of the hierarchy.
Actions
These are the only things on your portable to-do list. It can be a notebook, an app, or anything similar that you like. The only requirements are that can easily be carried around with you and can easily be edited. Each Action should each include what you need to do, where & when you need to to it (if either of these are limiting factors), and what Step they're part of. Cross things off as you do them. Once a day update the list by referring to your list of Steps for new Actions.
Steps
Each Step is written at the top of sheet of paper. Each sheet should have a short description of the Step, the deadline for completing it (if any), and what Project it's a part of. Under that should be a list of the Actions necessary for completing it. Update your Steps every 2-3 days by looking down a level to your Actions (adding, subtracting, and making any needed notes) and looking up to the Project list for any new Steps.
Projects
Each Project is assigned a file folder. Write the name of the Project on the tab; and a short description, the deadline (if any), and any notes on the front of the folder (or on a post-it stuck to the inside of the folder). Inside the folder will be the individual pages of the Steps that make up the Project as well as any notes that don't fit on the folder itself. Incomplete Steps should be loose at the front of the folder, while completed ones will be clipped together at the back. Update your Projects every week or so, referring to the levels above and below.
Goals
Goals are each given a hanging folder, which will contain the relevant Project files. Completed Projects should be moved from folders to envelopes (or other more contained storage). It's handled pretty much the same way the file folders are, except only checked & updated approximately once a month.
Enterprises
An Enterprise should be in a file box or drawer. Put the name and deadline on the front. Any relevant notes should either be taped to the outside of the box or put in a folder at the very front. If an Enterprise doesn't have enough Goals or associated notes to justify an entire box/drawer, another option would be to color code the hanging folders for each Enterprise. That is, all the Goals for Enterprise 1 are in red folders, Enterprise 2 uses blue, and so on. Update the Enterprises every 3-6 months.
Themes
Themes are less contained. Yes, all the Enterprise boxes associated with a given Theme should be kept together and updated about once a year, but there's more too it than that. Walk around your home regularly and look for any new (lower case) themes that may be visible in the decor or in your entertainment choices. Talk to your friends and family and ask them if they've noticed anything along those lines in your life. If you do notice any new themes, decide if you want to develop them into full fledged Themes.
**********
I don't know if the details of this would work for anyone else, but it's probably enough to get folks started. Right now I'm working on getting my home office set up to start implementing this.
This post is going to be about one way to keep track of the things you want to accomplish at the various levels of the hierarchy.
Actions
These are the only things on your portable to-do list. It can be a notebook, an app, or anything similar that you like. The only requirements are that can easily be carried around with you and can easily be edited. Each Action should each include what you need to do, where & when you need to to it (if either of these are limiting factors), and what Step they're part of. Cross things off as you do them. Once a day update the list by referring to your list of Steps for new Actions.
Steps
Each Step is written at the top of sheet of paper. Each sheet should have a short description of the Step, the deadline for completing it (if any), and what Project it's a part of. Under that should be a list of the Actions necessary for completing it. Update your Steps every 2-3 days by looking down a level to your Actions (adding, subtracting, and making any needed notes) and looking up to the Project list for any new Steps.
Projects
Each Project is assigned a file folder. Write the name of the Project on the tab; and a short description, the deadline (if any), and any notes on the front of the folder (or on a post-it stuck to the inside of the folder). Inside the folder will be the individual pages of the Steps that make up the Project as well as any notes that don't fit on the folder itself. Incomplete Steps should be loose at the front of the folder, while completed ones will be clipped together at the back. Update your Projects every week or so, referring to the levels above and below.
Goals
Goals are each given a hanging folder, which will contain the relevant Project files. Completed Projects should be moved from folders to envelopes (or other more contained storage). It's handled pretty much the same way the file folders are, except only checked & updated approximately once a month.
Enterprises
An Enterprise should be in a file box or drawer. Put the name and deadline on the front. Any relevant notes should either be taped to the outside of the box or put in a folder at the very front. If an Enterprise doesn't have enough Goals or associated notes to justify an entire box/drawer, another option would be to color code the hanging folders for each Enterprise. That is, all the Goals for Enterprise 1 are in red folders, Enterprise 2 uses blue, and so on. Update the Enterprises every 3-6 months.
Themes
Themes are less contained. Yes, all the Enterprise boxes associated with a given Theme should be kept together and updated about once a year, but there's more too it than that. Walk around your home regularly and look for any new (lower case) themes that may be visible in the decor or in your entertainment choices. Talk to your friends and family and ask them if they've noticed anything along those lines in your life. If you do notice any new themes, decide if you want to develop them into full fledged Themes.
**********
I don't know if the details of this would work for anyone else, but it's probably enough to get folks started. Right now I'm working on getting my home office set up to start implementing this.