Planning Prompts: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool for Success

I've written about the intention-action gap—that all-too-familiar space between knowing what we should do and actually doing it. It’s a common experience that we all regularly come face-to-face with, whether it’s exercising regularly, sticking to a budget, or following through on important tasks.

Yesterday I remembered this other simple strategy I read about that can help bridge the gap and turn our good intentions into real actions.

It's called the planning prompt and it’s a very straightforward technique with the possibility to be really powerful in ticking off stubborn 'to-dos' on those lists we all have.

What Is a Planning Prompt?

So, what exactly is a planning prompt? Basically, it’s a strategy where you’re prompted to decide when, where, and how you’ll accomplish a task.

The idea is to get really specific about your intentions, rather than leaving them as vague, open-ended goals.

Here's a couple of good examples I read about:

1. Research in the U.S. found that when voters were prompted to create a specific plan—like setting a time to vote, locating their polling place, and deciding how they’ll get there—they were significantly more likely to actually show up at the polls. It’s the difference between saying that you'll vote and specifically saying, “I’ll vote at 10 AM on Tuesday at the community centre, and I’ll drive there right after dropping the kids off at school.”
2. A study in South Africa used a similar plan-making tool to address the challenge of reducing youth involvement in violent crime. By helping the young people to create specific plans for their daily activities, the program was able to reduce their likelihood of engaging in and falling victim to violent acts.

Why Planning Prompts Work

But why do these planning prompts work so well? There are a few reasons:

• They help with overcoming procrastination.

We’ve all done it—knowing we need to do something, but putting it off for later. By setting a specific time and place for a task, you’re more likely to get on and do it because you’ve committed to a plan.

• They Reduce Forgetfulness

Look, life is busy. We're all human and it’s easy to forget even the most important tasks. A planning prompt helps keep your goal top of mind and reduces the chances that it slips through the cracks.

• They Create Accountability

If you want to supercharge the effectiveness of your plan then tell a friend or family member about it. By sharing your plan with someone else, you create a sense of accountability that makes you more likely to follow through.

• They Make It Concrete

There’s something about writing down or verbalising a plan that makes it feel more real. It shifts your intention from a mere thought to a real action that you’re prepared to take.

Putting Planning Prompts into Practice

If you want to give planning prompts a try, I've listed out the 1-4 of getting started:

1. Get Specific:

Next time you set a goal, take a moment to plan when, where, and how you’ll achieve it.

For example, if you want to exercise more, don’t just say, “I’ll work out this week.” Instead, plan to “go for a run at 7 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the park.”

2. Write It Down:

There’s power in putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard but I love a notebook!).

Write down your plan - it somehow makes it feel more official.

3. Tell Someone:

Share your plan with a friend, family member, or even on social media.

The more people who know about it, the more committed you’ll feel.

4. Review and Adjust:

Life happens, and sometimes plans need to change.

If something comes up, don’t abandon your goal and then beat yourself up afterwards—just adjust your plan. Be flexible

And if you’re interested in learning more about planning prompts here are some resources you might find helpful:

- Books: “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg dives into the science of habits and how small changes in routine, including using planning prompts, can lead to significant improvements in your life.

- Podcasts: “The Science of Success” podcast with Matt Bodnar often explores topics around goal setting, habit formation, and overcoming procrastination. Look for episodes on implementation intentions and the intention-action gap.

- Articles: Beyond good intentions: Prompting people to make plans improves follow-through on important tasks by Todd Rogers, Katy Milkman, Leslie John, & Michael Norton

Conclusion

Using planning prompts can make it easier to follow through on your plans and turn your goals into reality.

Get specific, write it down, tell someone about it, and see if this simple change strategy helps you get that thing done!