I recently returned from training at a Fortune 100 company, absolutely an industry leader in their field, but what I found there shocked me. I am amazed at the number of people are “winging it” at work. They come to work each morning without a plan or direction. And this applies to employees at all levels, from the senior management through the entry level positions. It is a case of the blind-leading-the-blind. How productive can that be?

As I have found a lot, I received a very positive response on the Master List. For those who don’t know, the Master List occurs on a pad a paper and any “to-do” that pops into your brain throughout the day goes onto the List. It can be related to work, family, your dog, whatever it is, write it onto the Master List. So often these days our brains become giant calandars with addendums, sticky notes and reminders constantly distracting us from how our brains were meant to function: as processors. When you try to keep everything in your brain, things are guaranteed to fall through the cracks, not get done and take away from your performance at every other task you are doing. When all of those “extras” go onto the Master List, you are far more likely to accomplish them in an efficient and timely manner. Even better than being efficient, the Master List can be a flexible list. The nature of life these days requires an affinity for change, constantly. So flexibility is key when you need to get things done.

So, how do you plan? And how is your plan working for you?