Life Navigation Hierarchy: Theme -> Enterprise-> Goal -> Project -> Step -> Action
Inspired by episode 18 of the ADHD Weekly Podcast.
This episode was about getting things done, and had an interesting way of looking at the process of accomplishing things. It was adapted from a book, but I didn't catch the title.
This not exactly what was presented in the podcast, rather it's my adaption of those ideas.
The top level of the hierarchy is your Theme. This should be an overarching idea, something that would be an answer to the question "what do I want to be remembered for after I die?" or "how do I want to change the world?" Example: George wants to be remembered for his creativity.
A Theme should be broken down into Enterprises. These each focus on a broad way of living up to your Theme. Example: George could focus on music, writing, performing, visual arts, etc.
Each Enterprise will contain at least one Goal. These are ways of bringing your Enterprise(s) into reality. Example: George decides to learn how to play instruments.
Each Goal will involve Projects. These are narrowly focused, short(er) term things you can do to advance your Goal(s). Example: George decides to start by focusing on the guitar.
Projects are made up of Steps. These are specific things that are necessary in order to complete your Projects. Example: George's first Step is to decide what type of guitar he wants to start with.
Each Step requires at least one Action. Actions are the things you actually do. Example*: George's Actions might be 1) Listening to different genres of guitar-centric music played on both acoustic and electric instruments. 2) Researching specific models of guitar. 3) Going to a guitar store and handling the different guitars. 4) Talking to people who play guitar.
The only things that should actually be on your day-to-day To-do list are the Actions. The higher levels should be written down someplace else, and you should refer back to them regularly, but not too frequently.
__________
What do you guys think? Does this actually make sense outside of my head? I also have some ideas for how to implement the system, but want to think about them some more before posting.
* I don't actually play any instruments, so I'm not sure if these are the actions somebody would really take. But they seem reasonable to me. :)
This episode was about getting things done, and had an interesting way of looking at the process of accomplishing things. It was adapted from a book, but I didn't catch the title.
This not exactly what was presented in the podcast, rather it's my adaption of those ideas.
The top level of the hierarchy is your Theme. This should be an overarching idea, something that would be an answer to the question "what do I want to be remembered for after I die?" or "how do I want to change the world?" Example: George wants to be remembered for his creativity.
A Theme should be broken down into Enterprises. These each focus on a broad way of living up to your Theme. Example: George could focus on music, writing, performing, visual arts, etc.
Each Enterprise will contain at least one Goal. These are ways of bringing your Enterprise(s) into reality. Example: George decides to learn how to play instruments.
Each Goal will involve Projects. These are narrowly focused, short(er) term things you can do to advance your Goal(s). Example: George decides to start by focusing on the guitar.
Projects are made up of Steps. These are specific things that are necessary in order to complete your Projects. Example: George's first Step is to decide what type of guitar he wants to start with.
Each Step requires at least one Action. Actions are the things you actually do. Example*: George's Actions might be 1) Listening to different genres of guitar-centric music played on both acoustic and electric instruments. 2) Researching specific models of guitar. 3) Going to a guitar store and handling the different guitars. 4) Talking to people who play guitar.
The only things that should actually be on your day-to-day To-do list are the Actions. The higher levels should be written down someplace else, and you should refer back to them regularly, but not too frequently.
__________
What do you guys think? Does this actually make sense outside of my head? I also have some ideas for how to implement the system, but want to think about them some more before posting.
* I don't actually play any instruments, so I'm not sure if these are the actions somebody would really take. But they seem reasonable to me. :)