Imagine that it\u2019s the end of next week.\u00a0On a large blank sheet of paper write down what you would like to be able to say about the week \u201cjust gone\u201d.\u00a0How have you spent it?\u00a0How were you?\u00a0What have you achieved?.\u00a0The list will probably be a mix of personal and professional tasks and aspirations.<\/p>\n
Write down what\u2019s coming up for you and your team in the next few months \u2013 what are the big deliverables, the likely challenges, the opportunities you want to take advantage of?<\/p>\n
If you lead a team, write down how you want to grow and develop team members \u2013 who needs support? Who do you want to catch up with?\u00a0What would make the team a stronger team? (more collaborative?\u00a0more strategic?\u00a0More embedded in the business?).\u00a0Write about what\u2019s needed for your own development.<\/p>\n
Next print out your agenda for next week\u2013 and make sure that it is contains things like travelling time, waiting time, meetings, personal and family commitments.<\/p>\n
Look at next week\u2019s meetings \u2013 what can you do today to make sure they are productive?\u00a0(ask for an agenda?\u00a0Clarify the meeting objective?\u00a0Check why you\u2019ve been invited?\u00a0Bring along a member of your team?)<\/p>\n
Reflect on the opportunities that next week offers: Who would it be good to have lunch with?\u00a0Coffee with?\u00a0Who are you travelling with \u2013 how do you want to use that time?\u00a0Who will you bump into at various meetings?\u00a0Who needs to be lined up about future challenges?\u00a0Waiting for kids playing football?\u00a0Might it be useful to have some good podcasts lined up?\u00a0Not much exercise lately?\u00a0And maybe it\u2019s been a long time since you and your other half had a date?\u00a0Could you walk somewhere lovely for brunch?Put the list away and get on with your day. Notice what synchronicities occur.<\/p>\n