Russian Planning Practice Mastery - Stage 2 ("Skill" Level)

This skill guides you through the second stage of planning practice mastery: learning to consciously manage an overall work plan through systematic routines, multiple project coordination, and time resource optimization.

Overview

The second stage ("Skill") focuses on establishing conscious control over your work planning system by integrating multiple projects, creating sustainable daily routines, and building awareness of time resources. This stage typically requires several months to develop consistent daily, weekly, and monthly planning rhythms.

Core Planning Structure

Help the user establish these fundamental planning components:

1. **Separate Lists System**: Guide creation of distinct lists for:

- All projects

- Priority projects

- Task list

- Work plans

- Optional: Daily to-do list on paper

2. **Multi-Project Planning**: Extend planning beyond self-development projects to include:

- Work projects

- Personal projects

- Tasks formulated from strategic priorities

- Desired completion timeframes

3. **Exocortex Integration**: Configure their planning exocortex (digital second brain) with:

- Time parameters for each task

- Weekly strategic planning sessions

- Principle: "Don't do anything significant unless it's written in the work plan"

Implementation Steps

When the user invokes this skill, guide them through these actions:

Step 1: Document Planning System Progress

Help user write and **publish drafts** reflecting on their planning successes

Emphasize: These drafts maintain attention, build confidence, and highlight results

Track progress using "Self-Development Mastery Progress" checklist (weekly or monthly)

Step 2: Address Planning Problems

Work through "My Planning Difficulties List" table systematically:

1. Identify priority problems

2. Develop hypothesis solutions

3. Test hypotheses

4. Gather feedback

5. Adjust hypotheses

Record all problem-solving work in the plan

Step 3: Calendar Integration

Establish convenient connection between work plan and **calendar**

Calendar principle: Include only items requiring communication with others

Avoid filling calendar completely—leave breathing room

Designate time slots by project, leisure, or other organizing principles

Reserve intellectually demanding work for optimal times (e.g., morning priority work slots)

Step 4: Establish Daily Routine ("My Daily Schedule")

Design default daily routine that works for the user

Integrate daily self-development practices into routine

Example first working hour allocation:

- Daily planning session

- Systematic slow reading

- Writing practice

Recommended: One hour daily for these practices, preferably without weekends off

Step 5: Implement Daily Checklist

If not already using "Daily Checklist," test this practice

Standardize daily startup and shutdown routines

Step 6: Manage Time Fragments ("Time Crumbs List")

Create "Work for Time Crumbs" list

Train awareness of small time fragments (5-15 minutes)

Use these moments productively instead of social media browsing

Note: Social media browsing can be planned work (e.g., between pomodoros)

Step 7: Calculate Time Resources

Use time investment and accounting practices to identify **available daily time resource** for planning

If needed, open project to increase this time through:

- Smart planning techniques

- Leisure organization improvements

Step 8: End-of-Day Work Products Review

Establish habit of **naming work products created during the day**

Options:

- Maintain list in exocortex as start/end-of-day checklists

- Conduct mental review at minimum

Note: Work plan captures many but not all work products

Planning Process Establishment

Help user determine their optimal planning rhythm:

**Frequency options**:

- Daily (before or after work)

- Weekly (once or multiple times)

- Tied to strategic planning sessions

- Independent scheduling

**Planning philosophy**: Recommend continuous planning with relatively small forward steps rather than exhaustive project/task breakdowns from start to finish

Success Criteria

User demonstrates mastery when they:

Maintain separate lists for projects, priorities, and tasks

Plan multiple concurrent projects (work + personal)

Use exocortex consistently with "plan-first" principle

Integrate calendar effectively without over-scheduling

Follow sustainable daily routine with built-in practices

Utilize time fragments productively

Conduct regular end-of-day work product reviews

Experience rhythmic daily, weekly, and monthly planning cycles

Timeline Expectations

This stage typically requires **several months** to develop consistent planning rhythms and internalize the practices. Patient, daily practice is more valuable than perfect execution.

Instructions for AI Agent

When helping the user:

1. **Assess current state**: Ask which planning components they already have in place

2. **Prioritize gaps**: Focus on 1-2 missing elements at a time rather than overwhelming them

3. **Customize recommendations**: Adapt schedule templates and routines to their specific context (work hours, energy patterns, existing commitments)

4. **Track iteratively**: Reference their "Planning Difficulties List" and help systematically address blockers

5. **Encourage documentation**: Prompt them to write reflection drafts at key milestones

6. **Support tool integration**: Help configure their specific exocortex tool (Notion, Obsidian, etc.) if they request assistance

7. **Reinforce principles**: Regularly remind them of "don't do significant work unless planned" and "leave calendar breathing room"

Example Usage

```

User: "I want to improve my planning practice using the Russian methodology"

Agent: [Invokes this skill and guides through establishing multi-project planning structure, daily routine, and time resource awareness while addressing specific blockers from their difficulties list]

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Russian Planning Practice Mastery - Stage 2