Introduction to the Middle Way Method

I want to introduce you to The Middle Way Method, an organizational system I created and have been using to keep me and my projects on task. In 2006, I decided to learn how to be more effective with planning. I had tried a few planning systems, and while they all had something I found useful, none fit my lifestyle or personality perfectly. An Internet search about making planner pages brought me to DIY Planner. Here I found I was not alone in needing and creating custom planning systems. DIY Planner also introduced me to a whole slew of planning methodologies.

From studying all these planning systems, I noticed that they fell into two categories: Top Down or Bottom Up. The first is Top Down Planning, and the Franklin Covey methodology provides a great example of this type, which says “Know who you are, and work from there to become who you want to be.” The second type is Bottom Up Planning, and Getting Things Done (GTD) system, follows this methodology. GTD is designed to clear all of the “Stuff” in your life, and process it effectively. However, I found that neither of these systems really work best for me. Over time, I kept track of what worked for me from each system, and I used that to create my own system, called The Middle Way Method.

I chose the name, The Middle Way Method, because I was inspired by the story of how the Buddha reached enlightenment. I see this system bridging the gap between Top Down and Bottom Up systems. The Middle Way Method encourages me to uncover who I am, who I want to be, and how to become who I want to be, while being able to handle everything that is thrown my way. In the past, I’ve had issues where planning systems break down on me. A crisis or a change, and I need a complete new system. The Middle Way Method helps me to create a new system utilizing this same methodology. This enables me to quickly create a new system for my changed circumstances, because I do not have to work out the method all over again, and I am no longer bouncing between top down or bottom up. I feel that this approach gives a balance between the important things of life and the daily grind.

The first step in using The Middle Way Method is to determine your personal mission and vision. There is a difference between mission statements and vision statements. I believe that a mission statement should answer the question of “who am I and how do I fit into the world?” while a vision statement describes who you will be when you achieve your goals.

For an overview of creating a mission statement, I recommend you look at innowen and Doug’s articles here at DIY Planner. Steven Covey’s books, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and First Things First, both have great sections on crafting mission statements. You might also find spiritual advisers, prayer or meditation, and scripture useful sources for information/inspiration. Most importantly though, listen to the inner voice, which guides you. This is not a do-once-and-done part of the system. Mission and Vision statements are an integral key of the Middle Way Method, and you will find yourself reviewing and updating your statements as your life changes and growth occurs.

Once you have your Mission/Vision Statement prepared then you can move into the meat of The Middle Way Method. The bulk of this system relies heavily on weekly and daily reviews.

Weekly Reviews

During the Weekly Review, you will spend time reviewing your mission and vision statements, past week, current roles (family relationships, work relationships, friendships, and self), goals, and your action items or to-do lists.

Mission and Vision Statement Review

First, read over and think about your mission and vision statements. Do they still inspire you? Do they still feel true to you and what you want to accomplish? If so, great. If not, take some time now and revise them. Keep the mission and vision accurate, inspiring, and right for you.

Past Week Review

Review your previous week. What goals did you achieve? What goals did you not achieve? Why did you succeed or fail? What were your challenges? How did you overcome them? Why did they overcome you? This is a great way to keep a weekly journal. You can then go back, look at your life again, and see how far you have come and reflect on what you’ve done and make any adjustments for the upcoming week.

Review and Select Your Roles

Decide on which roles you will act on for the coming week. Roles can include Husband/Wife, Father/Mother, Boyfriend/Girlfriend, Partner, Friend, Son/Daughter, Employer/Employee. You may have unique roles to include on this list. Write down your roles on a piece of paper.

Identify Weekly Goals

Identify any Physical, Mental, Spiritual, or Social goals you may have. Record these in your system for the coming week. Set at least one goal in each area, even if it is small and easily done.

Process In-boxes

Like in GTD, gather all of your loose papers, notes, what is in your head, on your lists, on your calendars, your Action, or To-Do items, and process your in-boxes. At this point, who you are and who you want to become should be fresh on your mind. This helps determine if something in an inbox is important, or not.

Review and Create Projects

Organize, create, update, and delete any projects. This will let you know how you are progressing on any long-term or multi-step projects.

Select Actions for the Week

Record actions for the week based on your roles, goals, and projects.

Daily Reviews

Use daily reviews to look over your calendar and incorporate any incomplete action items for the week. Prioritize action items for the day and make plans to achieve them. Some people do this at night for the next day, some at the start of the day. The key is quiet focus.

Preview Calendars

Focus on your daily schedule and upcoming appointments.

Prioritize Action Items

Think through everything you want to accomplish in a day. List items and break them down into manageable chunks. You can label tasks A (must do), B (should do), or C (optional), then number them. Complete A first, B second, C last. Another approach is grouping tasks by context (Computer, Work, Home, Telephone, Car) like GTD.

Quadrant Approach

Divide a page into four quadrants: Unimportant/Important and Urgent/Not Urgent. Complete tasks starting with Urgent/Important and follow through the other quadrants.

Weekly Sheet Template

1. Actions section: Populate from your in-boxes each week, and prioritize them for daily completion.
2. Harmony section: Complete steps three and four, set goals for physical, social, mental, and spiritual growth. Space for three roles included.
3. Weekly appointments/work space planner: Layout your schedule starting Monday. Space left clear of hours for customization.
4. Quote of the Week area: Add your own personalized quote above Thursday. Around 255 characters.

Using The Middle Way Method draws on the strengths of both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Top-down gives knowledge of who we are and where we want to go. Bottom-up gives the ability to manage information, projects, and tasks. Weekly reviews are a time for honest reflection and recommitment. The methodology stands on the shoulders of giants — pull what works from top-down or bottom-up approaches, and customize the rest. This methodology produces unique customized systems; no two will be identical.

Downloads:
Workflow.pdf
Workflow-card.pdf
OneWeek.pdf
OneWeek.zip

Originally Posted to D*I*YPlanner.