Welcome to week four of the summer leadership series! This week, we’re diving into the #1 skill to seize control of your time and shift your focus from reactive to proactive.
We all know the feeling: perpetually responding to crises, rarely feeling like you’re truly shaping your own destiny. The secret to breaking free from that cycle? Pre-week planning. Join us as we break down this essential practice, share top tips, and illustrate its impact with a real-world example.
What Is Pre-Week Planning
Pre-week planning is a disciplined, proactive approach to shaping your upcoming week before it begins. It’s about stepping back, evaluating your commitments through the lens of your various life roles (e.g., leader, mentor, team member, spouse, parent, community member), and then, critically, determining your true priorities first. This isn’t just a glorified to-do list; it’s a strategic allocation of your most valuable resource – your time and energy – to what truly matters.
How to Pre-Week Plan
Start by listing your key roles. For each role, identify 1-3 priorities you want to achieve in the upcoming week. If you review your vision and goals first, this will help you know what matters most for each life role. Once your priorities are clear, then schedule them into your calendar. Block out dedicated time for these high-leverage activities before distractions inevitably arise. This intentionality ensures your most important work gets done.
The proof is in the pudding! Those who pre-week plan achieve 30-50% more on average, with 100% of those who pre-week plan reporting less stress, better health, and better relationships. Here’s what this might look like:
Global Executive Case Study
Here is the feedback that a global executive from the UK, Michelle, shared about pre-week planning:
“It’s hard to believe I started doing this only a year ago. A major change in my life is pre-week planning. I have always done planning and had a “to do” list, but it was never tied to my vision and goals (especially by role). I created a personal vision and goals that supported each of my roles. I have been doing pre-week planning for a year and just finished using my first weekly planner. I can honestly say that I am more focused now and accomplishing things that were always important but that I put off or never got around to doing. I have focused time each week on the things that are important to me and are moving me toward accomplishing my goals and supporting my personal vision.
Things seem to have started coming into being since I created my vision and have been doing pre-week planning. I smile to myself now every time something happens to move me toward my goals without a clear explanation.
I’ve ordered books and planners for my team and family. I even game one to my son, who is in his early 20s, and I see him now doing pre-week planning with a very well-defined vision and goals for himself. Amazing things are happening for him as well because of this focus. If you are a parent of a college grad, you know how exciting this is!”
So, Now What?
Start your pre-week planning this weekend — mark down (right now) in your calendar when you’ll pre-week plan. Review your vision and goals, list your life roles, list 1-4 priorities for each life role, and schedule your priorities first. By taking just a short time to intentionally shape your upcoming week, you’ll gain clarity, control, and significantly boost your ability to lead proactively. Your most impactful work awaits!
“I believe that being successful means having a balance of success stories across the many areas of your life. You can’t truly be considered successful in your professional life if your home life is in shambles.”— Zig Ziglar
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