Daily Planning- Daily Review

I am just back from Bangalore, where I had been to give lectures on Law, Ethics and Communication to the studentss of the Bangalore Branch of the ICAI. The lectures were well receved with nearing 200 students in attendance. I love Bangalore students as they are focused and q

I took this opportunity to give them tips on plannig for success and similar attitudinal issues.

At the end of the dayafter my Lectures were completed, many participants met me in person to share their thoughts and get clarifications. One of the issues I heard was that of a person who said he was unable to stick to a time table. He wanted to know whether this was really a major problem as he had managed to complete school and pre-university without this kind of meticulous planning.

Here is my reply:

Let us think of clearing an Examination as a kind of Project.

Any project needs to be planned. As a Seven Habits Practioner I immediately "Begin with the End in Mind." Well... Beginning with the End in Mind is not only about long term vision. It is also about Daily Planning and Daily Review. You must have daily goals and targets too. A well scheduled time table covering all relevant and important topics gives us clear and meaningful intermediary goals within the framework of the broad goals of the project as a whole. Sticking to this time table as far as possible and frequently reviewing progress automatically ensures focus on the long term vision. You are seeing the Forest and the Tree.

A time table also ensures that you Put First Things First because after all preparation is your priority. Where there is no such pre-determined daily preparation schedule you will have merely vague ideas about coverage. You will end up reading topics that you like and suddenly wake up nearer the exam date to find that you are not confident about nearly two-thirds of the syllabus.

What I have stated is conceptual. Here are two Practical Tips on how you can overcome the habit of not adhering to your time table:

1. Frequently reward youraself whenever you maintain the schedulre meaningfully.

Rewards can be anything--Listening to music; a walk; a cup of coffee...whatever gives you joy.

2. Constantly remind yourself of the great benefits you will derive from attaining the long term vision that you have.