Rapid Planning Method: What Do I Want?

Many of us may take action on something; however, that action may be disconnected from the outcomes we actually want.

The Robbins Rapid Planning Method (RPM) is a simple system that can help you take deliberate action on what you want to achieve. It helps you determine your desired vision and the actionable steps to get there.

Tony Robbins personally developed the Rapid Planning Method to help manage his life and business ventures. This system provides a way of thinking about everything you engage in every meeting, phone call, deep work session, etc.

Accordingly, the RPM will help you take control of your world, maximize what you want out of life, and focus on growth and fulfillment.

What is the Rapid Planning Method?

When thinking about your life or business, there are three critical questions you should ask yourself regarding what, why, and how. Thus, the letters in RPM stand for the following:

• Results-Focused (R): What do I really want? 
• Purpose-Driven (P): Why does it matter to me?
• Massive Action Plan (M): How will I achieve it?

Results-Oriented: What Do I Really Want in my Own Life?

“Always focus on the outcome of a desired act.” – Peter Lowe

First, you should be specific about what you want:

The result (what) is the consequence, effect, or outcome that you want to achieve.

In the Rapid Planning Method, determining your desired vision will provide clarity. When you focus on particular outcomes, your brain will find better and more efficient ways to achieve your result. You can use the SMART Goals framework to clearly identify your desired outcome. 

RPM Examples:

When writing down your desired result, you should avoid vague phrasing like “be better,” “lose some weight,” or “make more money.” Instead, be specific and measurable in your outcomes, which are shown in the following examples:

• Make an extra $1,000 per month in revenue from my landscaping side business.
• Lose 15 pounds of fat in the next three months.

Purpose-Driven: Why Does It Matter To Me?

“When what you do is in line with why you do it and how you want to express it, you’ll have passion for what you do; and passion is the fuel that gives you the energy to pursue your dreams.” – Dr. Gary Sanchez

Next, connect your desired outcome with your purpose:

The purpose (why) is the compelling reason for wanting to achieve your desired result.

In the Rapid Planning Method, your purpose will help motivate and fuel you to take action to achieve your desired outcome. When you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated, remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing.

RPM Examples:

Tony Robbins suggests writing down compelling reasons and highlighting trigger words that activate your emotional rocket fuel to get stuff done. Here are specific examples:

• Make an extra $1,000 per month in revenue from my landscaping side business. For this result, your possible purposes could be:
  • To take that memorable two-week vacation this year to Italy
  • To pay off that student debt in the next two years
• Lose 15 pounds of fat in the next three months. For this result, your possible purposes could be:
  • To fit into your suit to look great for your wedding day
  • To feel better mentally and physically

Massive Action Plan: How Will I Achieve It?

“The path to success is to take massive, determined action.” – Tony Robbins

Finally, turn your vision into reality through a massive action plan:

The action plan (how) is the steps that you will take to achieve your desired result. 

In the Rapid Planning Method, you will decide upon the most significant actions to achieve your desired result. There are many ways to take massive action to achieve your desired outcome, so brainstorm and decide on a path. Then, you can use the 80/20 rule or Pareto Principle to focus on the vital 20 percent of massive actions that will lead to 80 percent of the desired result.

RPM Examples:

Less is more, so focus on the small set of massive action steps that will produce extraordinary results. Here are specific examples:

• Make an extra $1,000 per month in revenue from my landscaping side business. For this result, your massive action plan could have these steps:
  • Determine that you will need four clients that pay $250 each per month.
  • Ask your current and former clients for referrals by offering an incentive.
  • Run landscaping ads in the local newspaper.
  • Schedule at least 20 sales calls with potential customers.
• Lose 15 pounds of fat in the next three months. For this result, your massive action plan could have these steps:
  • Consult with a nutritionist to determine a dieting plan.
  • Throw out all the junk food so you don’t default to eating it.
  • Research recipes that follow your diet plan.
  • Buy organic groceries and cook meals at home to follow your diet. 
  • Bike to and from work every day instead of driving.

Planning With The Rapid Planning Method

Now that we have reviewed the three critical Rapid Planning Method questions, it is time to implement RPM in your life. These are the steps to creating an RPM plan:

1. Capture Everything Out of Your Head
2. Chunk It Down to Be Manageable
3. Massively Plan with Your Purpose
4. Take Action and Create an Identify
5. Review Using RPM Questions

When planning, you can apply these RPM steps to a time period of your choice, such as a day, week, year, etc.

Step 1 – Capture Everything Out Of Your Head

In his book, Getting Things Done (summary), David Allen urges you to get everything out of your head. Many people are guilty of trying to remember everything they want to do. Instead, move it from your head and write down everything you need, all the important things to remember, or what you want to accomplish.

You can use the Pomodoro Technique to set a 25-minute timer and brainstorm a list of everything you want to do for a given period of time. Or check out Focus Blocks for a 50-minute work period to do this task.

Using the Tony Robbins Rapid Planning Method, this step will help you focus on outcomes before purpose and planning. You will gain clarity over everything that you want to do. It will also free up your mental bandwidth to prioritize and execute your outcomes.

Ask Yourself:

• Did I get everything out of my head?
• What are all the results of what I want to accomplish for the period?

Step 2 – Chuck It Down To Be Manageable

Many people are susceptible to trying to do everything. However, humans have a limited amount of personal resources, including skills, time, energy, attention, motivation, and money. Thus, you can manage your tasks by deleting and chunking down to the vital few: 

Chunking – the process of organizing your tasks into a few categories and prioritizing them in order of importance

You should end up with at most three to five outcomes if you want to focus on your chosen time period. In his book Live It (summary), Jairek Robbins says that you can classify the tasks into one of seven major life categories: health, emotional intelligence, relationships, family, professional life, finances, and spirituality. Then, you can use the SMART Goals framework to articulate your desired results clearly.

Ask Yourself:

• Did I delete and chunk the tasks in my to-do lists?
• What are the most significant results I want to accomplish for the period?

Step 3 – Massively Plan With Your Purpose

Now, it is time to apply the second two questions of the Rapid Planning Method. You need to connect your desired results to your purpose. Understanding your why with compelling main reasons will motivate and fuel you to take action.

After that, you need to create a massive action plan to achieve your desired result. You should brainstorm all possible ways to see the big picture and achieve your outcome. Then, use the 80/20 rule to focus on the few significant actions that will have the most outsized impact.

Ask Yourself:

• What is my purpose for why my desired results matter to me?
• What is my massive action plan for achieving my desired results?

Step 4 – Take Action And Create An Identify

In his book Atomic Habits (summary), James Clear says that your habits and actions shape your identity:

Identify – what you believe; emerges out of your habits, with every action being a vote for the type of person you wish to become

Thus, you can work toward what you wish to accomplish (outcome) by focusing on who you want to be (identify). You can change your identity by deciding the type of person you wish to be and proving it will deliberate action toward your end goal.

Taking deliberate steps on your massive action plan will challenge your beliefs and grow your identity to be a progressively better version of yourself. When you personify an identity, your action steps can change your own perspective while taking massive action.

Ask Yourself:

1. What is the identity of who I want to become?
2. Am I taking steps on my massive action plan to achieve my results?

Step 5 – Review Using The Rapid Planning Method Questions

If you accomplish your desired outcome, celebrate the win! After the win or reaching the established end date, you should review your progress.

Ask Yourself:

1. Did I follow the steps in my massive action plan to achieve my desired results?
2. Did my purpose motivate and fuel me to achieve my desired results?
3. Did I achieve my desired results?

If you answered no to any of these questions, then you should focus on the real progress you made, as the momentum will help you keep going. Also, look for ways to improve your execution of the Rapid Planning Method.

Tony Robbins says that if you can clearly determine your results and purpose, then that is better than 90% of the people around you. Then, you can create a massive action plan for how to accomplish your desired outcome. However, the hardest part is taking action. If you want to achieve your goals and be successful, you have to take deliberate action. 

Take It To the Next Level: Get Sunsama

Sunsama is a powerful tool to help you implement and streamline the RPM process. It’s a to-do list app with a difference, designed to help you focus on what’s essential and make real progress towards your goals.

With Sunsama, you can:

• Easily capture and organize your tasks.
• Create RPM blocks and schedule your time.
• Set roles and track your progress.
• Integrate with other tools and apps.
• Get reminders and stay on track.

If you’re serious about taking control of your life and achieving your goals, Sunsama is the perfect productivity tool to help you get there.

Final Thoughts on the RPM Method

In conclusion, the Rapid Planning Method is more than just your average planning tool. It’s a game-changer, a productivity booster, and a life-saver.

By adopting this method into your daily routine, you’ll find yourself achieving more than you ever thought possible. Remember to set realistic goals, prioritize your tasks, and don’t be afraid to pivot when needed. And as cliche as it may sound, do take some time for self-care because even the most efficient planner needs to recharge from time to time.

So whether you’re a busy working professional or a stay-at-home parent juggling multiple responsibilities, the Rapid Planning Method can help you conquer it all with ease and style.

So why wait? Start planning your success today!