There are many ways to do fine work. One approach involves beginning the journey and then going forwards from box to box on the way towards delivering brilliant results.
This is similar to the approach of chunking big jobs down into smaller parts. But it tends to focus more on the specific results to achieve in each box.
Some people follow this approach in other areas of life rather than just work. They may adapt it to following their life philosophy, helping other people or doing other activities.
Different people follow this approach in different ways. Some take the following steps.
They begin by clarifying the
results they want to achieve
They start by clarifying the destination. They may want to achieve certain results in their personal or professional life.
They may want to achieve these results in a certain time frame – such as in the next day, week or month. They want to achieve these over the course of a string of engagements, performances or other activities.
Bearing in mind the results they want to achieve, such people then move onto the next stage. This involves clarifying their action plan.
They plan the journey and break it down into
boxes on the way towards achieving the goal
They plan ahead and map out the journey. They then break this down into various boxes on the way toward achieving the goal.
Different people do this in different ways. One person described how they planned their approach to delivering a day of work in London.
“I break it down into various boxes. The first box is driving to the station. The second is travelling down on the train.
“The third box is my first meeting with a client. The fourth is meeting with another client. The fifth is meeting with another client.
“The sixth box is returning on the train. The seventh box is driving home.”
“This approach may seem very mechanical. But it helps me to break down the day into various slots on the way towards reaching my goals.”
You will have your own way of clarifying the different boxes. This can then lead to the next step taken by people who follow this approach.
They aim to do their best in each box and
go forwards from box to box on the
way towards delivering brilliant results
Different people may aim to achieve different things in each box. Some may simply aim to enjoy the experience. Some may aim to encourage a person. Some may aim to be creative. Some may aim to do their best. Some may aim to do brilliant work.
Different people also have different ways of being positively engaged in each box. One person described their approach.
“I try to rest, relax and rehearse before going into each box. Looking ahead, I clarify the reals results I want to achieve in the situation. I then rehearse the strategies I can follow to achieve these results.
“Moving into action, I aim to be fully present when doing the activity. This may mean helping another person, tackling a challenge or reaching a specific goal. I aim to do my best and finish properly in that box.
“Moving on, I take time to relax – even for a few seconds. Looking ahead, I rehearse what I want to do next and move onto that box. I repeat the process of going from box to box on the way towards achieve the goal.”
You will have your own way of planning your day, week, month or a string of activities. It is important to follow the approach that works for you.
Imagine that you want to follow some elements of the box to box approach. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you may want to follow this approach?
What may be the specific situation? How can you clarify the real results to achieve? How can you break down the journey into boxes on the way towards achieving the goal? How can you aim to do your best in each box?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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