Planning for Success: Time Blocking and Realistic Checkpoints
A goal without a plan is just a wish. The Seinfeld Method gives you a target for daily action, but you still need a plan to execute that action amidst the chaos of daily life. Integrating your “chain” action into a structured schedule with realistic checkpoints is the key to making consistency feel effortless rather than forced.
Make an Appointment with Your Goal
The most effective way to ensure your daily action gets done is to schedule it. This technique, known as time blocking, involves dedicating a specific block of time in your calendar for your task. Instead of vaguely hoping to “find time” to write for 30 minutes, you block out 8:00 AM to 8:30 AM every weekday for “Deep Work: Writing.”
Treat this appointment with the same respect you would a meeting with your boss or a doctor’s appointment. It is non-negotiable. This simple act of scheduling accomplishes several things. It defeats decision fatigue; you no longer have to decide when you’ll do the task each day. It protects your time from other, less important demands. And it creates a ritual, signaling to your brain that when this time block arrives, it’s time to focus on your goal. Whether you do it first thing in the morning to ensure it gets done or schedule it during a natural energy lull in the afternoon, putting it on the calendar makes it real.
Be Aware of Your Constraints
Ambitious plans often fail because they ignore reality. You might be incredibly motivated on Sunday night to work out for an hour every day, but that plan doesn’t account for your demanding job, your commute, or your family obligations. A successful plan is a constraint-aware plan.
Before committing to a daily action, take a realistic look at your typical week. How much time do you actually have? What are your energy levels like at different points in the day? It is far better to build a chain based on a 15-minute daily commitment that you can hit 95% of the time than a 60-minute commitment you can only hit 30% of the time. The goal is to build a long chain. Start small, prove to yourself that you can be consistent, and then you can gradually increase the duration or intensity. Success breeds success, and starting with a realistic plan is the best way to get that first win.
Set Up Regular Checkpoints
While the daily “X” provides immediate feedback, you need periodic checkpoints to assess your overall strategy. Your weekly review is the first level of this. But you should also use your quarterly themes as major review milestones. At the end of each 90-day period, take an hour to reflect on your progress.
Ask yourself a few key questions: Did I achieve my quarterly theme? How consistent was my chain? What did I learn about my process? What obstacles did I encounter? Based on these answers, you can then plan your theme for the next quarter. This cycle of 90-day planning and review ensures you stay agile. It allows you to correct your course, double down on what’s working, and set new, relevant input goals to support your long-term vision. This process turns your goal pursuit from a rigid, year-long march into a dynamic and responsive series of sprints, greatly increasing your chances of goal success.
