The Rapid Planning Method (RPM) is a powerful technique for enhanced productivity and effective time management. This blog dives into the RPM methodology, revealing its potential to transform time management skills.
Discover how RPM addresses common time management challenges and provides a structured strategy to align priorities, streamline focus, and achieve goals.
In today’s fast-paced world, mastering time management is the way to achieving goals and driving success. Amidst various methodologies, the Rapid Planning Method (RPM) stands out as a structured method for effective time management. RPM revolves around three core principles: defining outcomes, identifying purposes, and allocating time blocks.
Understanding RPM
RPM serves as a compass guiding people toward their goals. It involves identifying the outcomes one desires, the reasons behind them, and assigning dedicated time blocks to achieve them. This method emphasizes clarity, assuring that every task aligns with broader objectives.
Implementing RPM in Daily Routine
To embrace RPM effectively, individuals need to apply its regulations in their daily lives. This involves focusing on high-impact exercises, avoiding distractions, and allocating time thoughtfully. Individuals can maximize their productivity by segregating tasks established on importance and urgency.
Benefits of RPM
The RPM methodology redefines time management by providing numerous benefits. It promotes strategic planning, efficient time allocation, and goal-oriented Focus. As a result, individuals partake in increased productivity, reduced stress, and a sense of accomplishment by staying aligned with their goals.
What is the Rapid Planning Method (RPM)?
As its founder, Tony Robbins, indicates, the Rapid Planning Method is a system of thinking — not a time management technique per se.
In a nutshell, RPM helps you stay focused on an inevitable outcome by guiding you through different steps to make it happen. Instead of doing more and more, the emphasis is on choosing precisely what to do and doing it right.
The RPM system does change how you presume your desired outcomes — but in a new and eye-opening way. Tony Robbins believes people adopt a wrong perspective about what they must or should do right from the beginning.
For instance, you want to complete a task, but you’re only assuming how demanding it will be or how long it will endure. The RPM system shifts your Focus on your goal, i.e., the outcome. This way, you can brush aside all the problems that come along the way. As Tony himself says, Focus equals power.
Breaking down the Rapid Planning Method (RPM)
Even though RPM means Rapid Planning Method, the acronym also stands for:
- Results-oriented — Explain what you want to achieve (What is my final goal?)
- Purpose-driven — Helps you find a reason WHY you want to do something (What are my reasons and motives for doing that?)
- Massive action plan — Tells you HOW to do it (What do I need to do to accomplish this? What’s my plan?)
Consequently, before you start realizing a plan, ask yourself questions — but remember that the sequences of these questions are critical. Whether you are planning your daily activities, a project, or a long-term goal — start by asking yourself these three questions in this precise order. According to Tony, when you know the desired result first, followed by a compelling reason for doing something, you will figure out how to pull it off. That is the only way to achieve your goal — to know what, why, and how you will do it.
How to create your RPM plan
Now, it’s time to guide your goal in the right direction.
For a better insight into the RPM method, we’ll refer to the previously mentioned example regarding improving one’s time management skills and extending it.
Here are five steps that will help you create a successful RPM plan for achieving your outcome:
- Capture your thoughts
- Create an RPM plan
- Take action and schedule
- Shape your identity
- Review your progress
Step #1: Capture your thoughts
When considering your goal, it’s important to brainstorm your ideas to define precisely what you want to achieve. Simple pen and paper always work! Try making a list of things you want to achieve and capture the ideas you consider most worthy.
When too many items are on your list, chunk them into groups such as health, career, relationships, or any other custom-made category to sort your thoughts.
To move back to our specific example, the idea is:
To improve my time management skills.
Step #2: Create an RPM plan
To create an achievable plan for your specific goal (or goals), you’ll need to answer the following questions (in this particular order):
- RESULT (R) — Be specific about the result you are after.
- “What do I want to achieve?” → “I want to improve my time management skills.”
- PURPOSE (P) — Whenever you do something, there must be a reason why you do it. You have a much bigger chance of success when you identify the reason.
- “Why do I want this?” → “Because I wish to increase productivity at work, beat procrastination, and do more with less time.”
- MASSIVE ACTION PLAN (M) — Now that you know what you want to achieve and why, it’s time to determine your huge action plan.
- “What must I do to achieve my desired results?” →
- Find some popular productivity books to read.
- Keep a to-do list and a planner.
- Avoid multitasking.
- Track my time using a time-tracking app.
- Learn how to prioritize tasks.
- Make a schedule and stick to it.
- Identify any distractions.
At first, it can be hard to break bad habits, change routines, and change your thoughts.
Nevertheless, when you have a purpose on your mind — in this case, to increase productivity at work, beat procrastination, and do more with less time — the Focus shifts to what matters. Handling any dreary and challenging tasks to achieve the goal is more accessible.
The RPM Planning Block for your goal (in this case, to enhance your time management skills) should look like this:
RESULT
What do I want to achieve?PURPOSE
Why do I want this? MASSIVE ACTION PLAN
What must I do to achieve my desired results?
– Improve my time management skills. – To be more productive at work.
– To beat procrastination.
– To get more done in less time. – Avoid multitasking.
– Keep a to-do list.
– Use a time-tracking app.
– Learn how to prioritize.
Step #3: Take action and schedule
Now that you know what you want to achieve, why you want it, and have a plan on how to do it — it’s time to proceed and take action!
When you have multiple things to do in a day, it’s wise to prioritize your tasks accordingly. Similarly, schedule a specific time in your calendar to ensure you recall an item from your to-do list.
Also, use technology and organize your schedule with solutions such as Juntrax, as it allows you to:
- Plan projects/tasks,
- Easily manage assignments,
- Choose start and end time,
- Share your schedules with others and more.
Similarly, start tracking your time regularly and make it a habit.
Step #4: Shape your identity
This step is the most motivating and compelling. What you need to do here is create an identity term for each specific result you are after.Craft your productivity persona. Who will be your conquering self? Channel the stoic focus of a Samurai, the meticulous planning of a chess grandmaster, or the agile adaptability of a mountain climber. Choose an identity that resonates with your strengths and aspirations. Then, claim your superpower. Are you a time-warping wizard, an organizational savant, or a decision-making maestro? Owning your unique talents fuels confidence and empowers you to tackle any challenge.
Step #5: Review your progress
Lastly, remember to commemorate your accomplishments and review your progress.
You can calculate your success by looking back at the things you used to manage to accomplish and all the things you get done now.
This will inspire you to move further and turn your RPM plan up a notch!
Conclusion
Embracing the Rapid Planning Method (RPM) stimulates a paradigm shift in time management. Juntrax’s suite of time management tools integrate seamlessly with RPM regulations. By leveraging RPM’s structured approach and Juntrax’s innovative functionalities, individuals can brace their time management skills, enhance productivity, achieve goals, and eventually promote personal and professional growth.
To know more, please read our blog on Insights into the Top 10 FAQs on Timesheet Management by Juntrax!