| Just like there are reverse dictionaries, there is a | | | | programs, my D-day back to Day 1 is always 3 |
| reason to create a count down calendar. A count | | | | weeks, so I have created a regular calendar for |
| down calendar starts with Franklin Covey's | | | | these. In fact, I use green color paper to print out |
| philosophy, "start with the end in mind." | | | | the calendar. |
| | | | |
| The biggest advantage to a countdown calendar | | | | If you don't want to create your own, visit your |
| is that it makes you think and focus harder as | | | | local office supply store, they have countdown |
| well as makes the planning easier. | | | | calendars available for purchase (blank planning |
| | | | books). |
| First, you write down the exact results you want | | | | |
| or expect. Let's say you have a teleclass, | | | | A third way to complete a countdown calendar |
| seminar, speaking engagement you are delivering | | | | would be to complete it in a linear form. |
| on X date. This becomes your D-day -- sort of | | | | |
| speaking. It may be end of the event planning, | | | | Day 21: Speaking event results I desire -- describe |
| however, it can also be the beginning of your | | | | those results. |
| follow-up plan. For simplicity sake, let us stop at | | | | |
| the D-day point. | | | | Day 20: Get handouts printed at Kinko's. |
| | | | |
| Now you can prepare a count down calendar in | | | | Day 19: Write and send out reminder e-mail to |
| several ways. One way would be to use a | | | | organizer. |
| calendar with the days of the month filled in. You | | | | |
| mark down the D-day and then you back track | | | | To Day 1: Today. |
| from there to today. | | | | |
| | | | Again, if you have a reoccurring countdown, like |
| Count down the days until __________. | | | | teleclasses, you can create a linear countdown |
| Number of marketing days to go until | | | | calendar like the one above. Eventually you will |
| __________. | | | | see a consistent pattern of to-dos. |
| | | | |
| Example: Count down days until seminar. 20 | | | | At that point, don't stop doing this with the |
| marketing days to go until seminar. | | | | thinking you have it down pat and you don't need |
| | | | to. This will jump up and bite you in the assets |
| Any doesn't matter which calendar method you | | | | fairly quickly by bogging down your mind and |
| use, you will need to write down your | | | | making you wonder if you are missing something. |
| measurements or your mini-results that will deliver | | | | If that occurs, jump back into the habit, it is a |
| the end results you want. I use the pivoting | | | | great one to have. Even if it is frustrating because |
| question, "What is it going to take to..." to get my | | | | it takes thinking time. |
| thinking moving in the right direction. I like to think | | | | |
| through and write these on the back of my | | | | Once you have your count down calendar |
| calendars. This gives me a bird's eye view for | | | | completed then you can enter it into your |
| that particular commitment that my software | | | | automatic reminder calendar, like Outlook or Act. |
| does not provide. | | | | This will track all your deadlines, goals, and |
| | | | projects. You will have a separate count down |
| Another way would be to use a blank form like | | | | calendar for each one.Catherine Franz, a Certified |
| this with the appropriate number of days in | | | | Professional Marketing & Writing Coach, specializes |
| between. Then cross out the days that you will | | | | in product development, Internet writing and |
| do any marketing -- say Sundays or days filled | | | | marketing, nonfiction, training. |
| with other requirements. For my teleclass | | | | |