A recent study reported in the Journal of Sport Behavior looks at the interesting question of whether one can be more successful in improving tennis skills by focusing on the goal of doing better or by imagining the process of planning, organizing, and preparing the steps necessary to achieve the goal. 

In short, can we better improve our skills by primarily imagining that we are achieving our goals (such as visualizing winning Wimbledom), or by imagining the time management skills, self-organization skills, or simple planning skills that are necessary to win Wimbledom?

To summarize a serious piece of research of this type is not always easy, but basically the authors conclude that imagining the process of preparing for winning yields better results than just imagining winning.

What does this mean to us in our day-to-day lives? The way I interpret this piece of research is that it supports the notion that creating daily plans is a very good activity for us to do if we want to be more successful or to accomplish our goals.

Writing a daily plan is a process of imagining what it takes to accomplish those tasks you have decided in advance are the best way for you to spend your time. And writing your activities down on paper is even more concrete than visualizing your day's activities.

This doesn't mean that you shouldn't imagine having a great day in advance of having it! But this research suggests that spending some time looking at how you are going to have that great day is a good idea. When put in these terms, it makes obvious sense!

So, go for it. Write those daily plans. And write them before you go home in the evening so you can sleep on your plan. Finally, review it when you come in to the office the next morning to give your brain a head start on the day!

Janelle Barlow, President
TMI US
 
 
 

Please submit your questions to Time Manager Questions and Answers. If you have questions, undoubtedly someone else has the same question. By asking a question, you'll help a fellow Time Manager user become more effective.
 
 

Previous "Time Manager Q & A Corner" pages: 
 
 

#1	Key Areas and Interruptions
#2	Daily Plans and Home Offices
#3	Result Statements
#4	Reading and Responding to E-Mail
#5	Sending E-Mail
#6	Filing According to Key Areas
#7	Setting up Files for the Whole Office
#8	Controlling Loose Pieces of Paper
#9	The Value of Time
#10	More on Results Statements
#11	Managing Time on the Road
#12	How to Get Time with Someone
#13	The Downside of Goals
#14	Thinking Types and Time
#15	Feeling Types and Time
#16	Intuitive Types and Time
#17	Sensate Types and Time
#18	What's Real about Strategic Planning?
#19	What Does Being Strategic Really Mean?
#20	How Perception of Time Influences Goal Choices
#21	The Four Immutable Laws of Controlling Your Desk
#22	Decision Making and Cultural Groups
#23	Paperless Office: Fact or Fiction?
#24	Exit Planning
#25	Speed: Does It Free Up More Time?
#26	Time in the 21st Century
#27	Open Office Plans
#28	The Costs of E-Mail
#29	How Do Senior Level People Manage Their Time?
#30	On Saving Time
#31	Paying the Ultimate Price with Time By Not Getting Enough Sleep
#32	Telecommuting and Productivity
#33	How Much Is Your Time Worth?
#34	Goal Setting and Change
#35	Making Career Decisions
#36	Controlling the Volume of Paper
#37	The Soul Catcher and Time Management
#38	Goals and Team Work
#39	Negotiate Better Goals for Yourself!
#40	Efficiency: A Plague or a Blessing?
#41	Computers and Time
#42	Culture and Time
#43	Performance: Getting What You Reinforce
#44	Punctuating Your Time With Small Breaks
#45	If You've Lost Some Good Habits...

Please submit your questions to Time Manager Questions and Answers by fax or e-mail . If you have questions, undoubtedly someone else has the same question. By asking a question, you'll help a fellow Time Manager user become more effective.

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