I thought I would share a quick outline of The Middle Way Method. Remember that The Middle Way Method is a series of processes which work together to help you be more organized. The Processes are:
- Creating your own custom system
- Create or review your mission and vision statements
- Journal Keeping, with an eye to introspection
- Setting and achieving goals
- Capturing data and information
- The weekly review
- The daily review
Creating a Custom System
Because every person is unique your productivity system should be unique. Only you know what type of system, and what tools will work for you, and keep you motivated. You have three options for types of systems:
- Analog
- Digital
- Hybrid
Analog Systems
Analog systems are created on a writing surface, like paper. An analog system has the advantages of being inexpensive, easy to create, and easy to reproduce. Some people find analog systems fun to use, while others do not like them. Paper systems do have draw backs. They can be bigger than a digital system, and reoccurring calendar items can be a pain to deal with.
Digital Systems
Digital systems usually make use of a computer, a smart phone, or tablet. They also usually involve an online productivity tools, like Google, Yahoo, or Outlook provide. This allows you to have a system which can be accessed from many places, but the information be kept in one place with good backup. The downsides to a digital system is that data loss can happen.
Hybrid Systems
Some people try to smooth out the downsides to paper and digital systems by meshing digital and paper in a system they hope will avoid problems of both digital and analog systems. I have seen a few clever systems which manage to do this. The downside to a hybrid system is that you may need to enter information twice. Once in analog form, and again in digital form. The other downside is it is possible to get hit with the downsides of both analog and digital systems.
Create or Review Mission and Vision Statements
The next set of processes in the Middle Way Method is to create or review your mission and vision statements. At the start of using the system create a mission statement and vision statement. Each week as part of your weekly planning review your statements and decide if they are still meaningful. Once you have determined if they are meaningful take time to update, or rewrite them. The statements should be rewritten regularly as you grow and change.
Journal Keeping
Keep a journal with the Middle Way Method. You should at the very least write about what you accomplished over the last week, and what challenges you faced. You can add more to your journal if you want, but that is enough for the basics.
Setting Goals
Set goals each week, then list the steps needed to accomplish the goal. The first thing you should do is to define the goals. Always use well defined goals, because you will be able to measure progress. remember that if a goal becomes stuck that you can either redefine the goal, or restart it if you want to.
Capturing Data and Information
Capturing data and information allow you to process the data into your system. A notebook or a tablet can be a great capture tool. Arguments can be made for either tool for capture. The key is to use only a few tools for capture, because then you will be able to find all of your information.
The Weekly Review
In the weekly review you will setup your calendar for the week, decide on Tasks to do that week, and you will set personal growth and relationship goals.
The Daily Review
The daily review is the picking of tasks to do that day, and a refresh on the calendar for appointments.