Stuck in a Rut? Try Backwards Design
When there is too much to do you might not know where to start.
You aren’t alone
One simple trick is to use backwards design.
Backwards design isn’t new, the concept was introduced around 1949 by Ralph W. Tyler in education. He wanted to better understand how he could help students reach their objectives.
Then, the actual term “Backward Design” arrived in the 1990s in education and has moved along taking different forms and names in the corporate world.
It’s similar to strategic planning, but without all the hoopla.
The gist – pick your three or four end goals, then document the steps that need to take place to reach them.
Revolutionary?
No.
But when your brain is overwhelmed, you are not looking for something revolutionary.
You are looking for a quick way to simplify and jump start yourself into action.
Follow these three simple steps:
1) Identify: What are the three or four things I need accomplished today (or tomorrow or this week)?
2) Determine: What would the evidence be that I met these goals (what do I need to do/produce/accomplish)?
3) Plan: What are the various tasks I need to do, people I need to talk to, things I need to learn to get there?
This quick way of identifying objectives, brainstorming and planning is effective for all areas of your work.
Developed for education yet applicable to pretty much everything you do.
It just intuitively makes sense.
There are many sites dedicated to Backward Design if you want to learn more.
How are you getting yourself moving today?
