In the current reality, just time management no longer works. A more comprehensive approach is needed. Structural, flexible, selective and conscious.
«The world is not so sunny and friendly. This is a very dangerous, tough place. And if you just give up, it will knock you over with such force that you will not get up anymore. Neither you nor I, no one in the world beats as hard as life. It doesnt matter at all how you hit, but it matters what kind of punch you hold, how you move forward»
Rocky BalboaThis book is about such an approach. When you do the right things in an organized way, and do not hold punches that can be avoided. It is written to help you take control of your life as much as possible. It consists of six chapters. Each chapter is devoted to one of the processes that are going into a cycle and help ensure system life. The book is primarily about thinking, not about tools. At first it will seem that there is too much information. But as you read, the design will add up to a single picture. In the end, when you can look at the whole approach, everything will fall into place, systematize and become simple. Each person can set up this way of thinking and follow an understandable path to the result. If you know how to drive, then remember yourself in the first lessons with an instructor. If you dont know how, then imagine that you are studying. Remember or imagine the same feeling and fear when you dont know what to grab and where to look, threats seem to be everywhere, and stress turns off your brain. The purpose of this book is to make sure that behind the wheel of your life there is a confident driver who does everything automatically, confidently drives a car and guarantees the safety of himself and passengers on any new route.
Review of the book
Chapter 1. Analysis
Before you start moving, you need to analyze the current situation. In this chapter, we will figure out how to do this, what resources, barriers and opportunities you have. What goals seem important, and how to understand which ones are really important. Lets analyze self-realization, values, skills, root causes of problems, and what you lack to achieve your goals. When we analyze the current situation, it is important to treat it correctly and tune in to the start. To do this, lets figure out how motivation works, how to properly prepare and strengthen confidence.
Chapter 2. Planning
When it becomes clear what we have in the current situation, and there is the right attitude, you need to plan your route. This chapter will be about how to set goals correctly and plan their step-by-step achievement. How to prioritize, set tasks and assess risks. Lets analyze what to do in conditions of uncertainty and how to apply Agile approaches in life.
Chapter 3. Management
When the movement along the route has begun, it is important to manage yourself correctly and use time effectively. In this chapter, we will set up our digital self-organization system. We will analyze the most effective tools and techniques of time management, learn how to make decisions, relax properly and make useful habits.
Chapter 4. Optimization
There will be obstacles, mistakes and time wasters along the way. In this chapter we will talk about how to optimize processes, automate routine, configure tools and space for rational usage of resources. I will share my experience and approaches that allow you to optimize anything.
Chapter 5. Reflection
After each iteration, you need to consciously stop and summarize everything. In this chapter we will talk about the benefits of retrospective reflection. How to properly reflect and draw the right conclusions to improve your path and yourself in the future.
Chapter 6. Training
When you get to this chapter, you will already know what you should learn and in which direction to develop. Here you will learn why learning is just beginning, how to study properly and what skills to develop in order to always be flexible and in demand.
Chapter 1. Analysis
Prologue
Do what you can with what you
have and there where you are
Theodore Roosevelt
Why do we start with analysis if we can start doing it right away? After all, they shout from every corner: stop thinking, dont be a coward, take it and do it. They say that all the boundaries are in our head, they advise us to believe and visualize. To answer this question, read two tasks:
1. Two planes were flying at the same speed. One plane was in the air for 2 hours, and the other for 4 hours and flew 1400 km more than the first one. How many km did each plane fly?
2. Imagine that you have come up with a teleport at an affordable price. Anyone can get anywhere in the world instantly. What work do governments need to do because of such changes?
The first task is standard. If you have been studying at school for a long time, then it will even seem like a difficult task for you, but for a student with a portable speaker, it is simple. The main thing is that the problem has a clear «given», accurate input data, there is an exact answer and an algorithm for solving using specific formulas. You take it and decide. The second task is non standard and abstract. There is not a single correct answer in it. There are many alternatives, components and uncertainties in it. It is immediately unclear how to approach her.
The same about ambitious goal and the whole life. Life is a constant process of replacing some goals with others with increasing complexity. This ensures movement along the path of life without a destination. Growing from goal to goal gives pleasure from this process and makes you happy. There is a starting point «A» (your current situation) and a final point «B» (your goal). When you set yourself a goal and know what you need to do to achieve it, then this is a simple task. You dont even have to read books for her. You just need to do it. Apply the well-known formula, as in the problem about airplanes. When you set an ambitious goal that you have not previously achieved and do not know how to do it, then this is a complex abstract task. Difficult goals give a strong result. The path to a difficult goal is always working with the future and what you do not know, do not know how, do not expect. Therefore, you cant just take a step from point «A» to point «B» because you start going with what you have in the current situation. Neither with a case of money, nor with extra hours in the day, nor with someones help. Just what you have and go ahead. Analysis is the starting action in any process that will allow you to build a reliable foundation for a bridge from point «A» to «B». If we do not know how to get to point «B», then this does not mean that we will read the tea leaves and learn to believe in the great success. We will analyze and try to get our «given» in a difficult task. This will help you plan not in a vacuum and build on real data. The main task of the analysis is to understand where we want to go, and what is there for this. Analysis gives awareness and reduces rapid irrational reactions to events. This allows you to plan the shortest route. And also see the possibilities that can simplify and speed it up.
«The main thing in chess is not how many moves ahead you think, but how you analyze the current situation»
Garry KasparovFor myself, I have identified important groups of resources and opportunities that are important to analyze at the beginning. These include: the spheres of life, environment, skills, motivation and mindset. I noticed that the changes in these groups began to have a positive effect on my life. And I have also repeatedly seen how problems in these groups prevented people from changing their lives for the better. Then well talk about each group in more detail. Fasten your seat belts, were starting.