So far in the Process Series we took a dive into how to develop a process. From goal setting to assessing our current situation to creating your plan. In this fourth episode, let’s move beyond our plan and discuss how we implement this process, every day. In the next few paragraphs I will provide you with some examples of how we’re going to do this.
PLANNING
We have already talked a little bit about planning, but let’s break this down even more. Regardless of your mindset, this planning procedure should look more like Sheldon Cooper’s daily bathroom log and less like your dog’s Sunday afternoon agenda. To prepare for what this planning might look like take a day, preferably one in which you’re playing golf, and break it down into 10-15 minute increments. (Side note: quick math tells us a 4 hour round of golf will mean 10-15 minutes a hole. See what I did there? I know, smart.) What is your plan for those time blocks? What are you trying to accomplish? Here’s an example:
- 10:00 am – Leave work to head to course
- 10:15 am – Arrive to course, Shoes on, pay course fees, load cart, head to practice range
- 10:30 am – Pre-round warm up (Wedges, Mid Iron, Long Iron, Tee Shots); Have a warm up plan and keep it consistent
- 10:45 am – Putting and Short Game Warm Up; Same consistency here
- 11:00 am – Tee Time
- 11:15 am – Hole #1 done…on to #2!
I know this would be just a short snippet of a day but it IS the type of detail you want to see when planning a day like this. Feel free to break down each of these areas even further if you like. But regardless, you will see more detail arrive as we move further into this process.
JOURNAL
Ok, so we’ve broken down your day, maybe in more detail than you’ve ever had it. Now is the time for us to take a look at each of these time blocks. Just like we spoke of in earlier posts, carry your journal with you (phone, note pad, or notebook), and make a note about each of them. Keep it simple! The key is to reflect in the moment. We’ll talk more about what to do with this later. Here are a few things you should think about recording:
- How’s your self talk? What are you saying to yourself?
- How’s your attitude?
- Did the plan go the way you expected?
- What did you like? Not like?
- Did you give yourself enough time to complete the task?
- Were you able to account for any idle time?
- Did you experience any anxiety?
AFTER ACTION REPORT (AAR)
Now here is where it all comes back around to you. You’ve planned your day, implemented your day, and recorded your day, now finally, we review your day. An After Action Report, or AAR, is typically used in the military arena. It can also be a great tool for us to use in our daily business, personal, and sporting lives. In this AAR we will use one of the most commonly used tools for assessment and growth, the SWOT Analysis. The Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats Analysis is a time honored system for businesses and organizations all over the world and we will use it here to assess our own personal performance. To accomplish this we will answer the following questions:
- Which of our strengths helped us to perform to our standards or beyond?
- Did we show any weaknesses today? How did these weaknesses affect our performance?
- What opportunities were presented today and were we able to take advantage of them? Could we create these opportunities again and if so, will be be ready to take advantage of them then?
- What potential threats presented themselves today that could derail our chances of success in the future?
Ask yourself these questions each day and you will find that in future situations your chances of success or fulfillment each day will dramatically improve.
CONCLUSION
The take away from the above strategy is that it is not just a one time thing. It’s an every day thing. It’s a, you guessed it, PROCESS. And each time you complete this daily process you will find it becomes easier and easier to implement until eventually you find yourself entrenched in a new habit loop. Your time management skills will improve dramatically, your practice sessions will take on new meaning, your rounds of golf will steadily improve, and you will be able to see it happening right in front of your eyes. I wouldn’t doubt you are also looking at this strategy as an opportunity to improve many other aspects of your life, not only golf. And you’re right! This is a wonderful tool to take with you in every endeavor. The process is simple; plan, implement, assess, and repeat. But don’t wait! A new day is close ahead and the time to start is now!
The Infinite Golfer 