Unlocking Peak Productivity with the Triumphant 3P Method
Productivity
Time management

Unlocking Peak Productivity with the Triumphant 3P Method

Elevate your efficiency by planning, predicting, and preparing for success.

Eric

Eric

Thursday, May 26, 2022

4 min

In a world that spins at a breakneck speed, we're all slaves to the ticking clock. Work deadlines, personal projects, or simply getting through the daily grind - time is never on our side. But fear not, my fellow time travelers, for I bring you a strategy that'll make you the master of your own minutes: the 3P approach, a technique commonly found in the shipping industry.

The 3P formula stands for:

  • Plan
  • Predict
  • Prepare
  • Let's dive into the nitty-gritty of each phase.

    Plan

    Photo by Felipe Furtado on Unsplash
    Photo by Felipe Furtado on Unsplash

    Like a boss, the first phase is all about getting your ducks in a row.

    Here, you'll map out the whole shebang: the project schedule, resource allocation, and other factors that'll make or break your productivity. This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • Identifying the work you've got to get done,
  • Figuring out the time window you're working with,
  • Outlining the tasks that'll add up to the project's completion,
  • Estimating the time and resources needed for each task.
  • Predict

    Photo by Startaê Team on Unsplash
    Photo by Startaê Team on Unsplash

    Next up, we're going to play Nostradamus and predict the future. Well, sort of.

    In this phase, you'll consider potential roadblocks, errors, risks, and decision-making dilemmas that could crop up. This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • Building in some buffer time for when things inevitably go sideways,
  • Coming up with backup tasks or activities to fill any unexpected downtime,
  • Making decisions ahead of time to streamline your workflow,
  • Identifying potential risks and challenges that could throw a wrench in the works.
  • Prepare

    Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
    Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

    Finally, we reach the pièce de résistance: preparation.

    In this phase, you'll get everything set up to make your productivity skyrocket. This includes, but isn't limited to:

  • Informing your team about the 3P plan and all its glorious details,
  • Creating an environment where everyone has access to the resources they need,
  • Gathering the tools required to complete each task,
  • Strategically positioning resources to optimize work efficiency.
  • Now, you might be thinking, "Sure, this 3P thing sounds great for big projects, but what about my everyday life?" Well, my friend, the 3P approach is like a Swiss Army knife: versatile and adaptable. Apply it to anything, from game jam sessions with your colleagues to a single day in your life, and watch your productivity soar.

    Now, let's see how the 3P approach can work its magic in the realm of everyday life.

    First, Plan Your Day Like a Pro

    Sketch out all the activities on your agenda for the next day. This could include anything from trudging to school or work, to penciling in some quality time for extracurricular activities, hobbies, or self-care. The key is to be thorough, leaving no stone unturned when mapping out your day.

    Second, Predict Your Personal Pitfalls

    Anticipate the potential hiccups, roadblocks, or decisions you might face throughout the day. This could be as simple as choosing your outfit, figuring out what to eat, or deciding on the best mode of transportation to get you from point A to point B. The goal is to foresee these little dilemmas so that you can handle them like a champ.

    Third, Prepare Like You've Never Prepared Before

    With your daily plan and predictions in place, it's time to gear up and get ready for action. This means selecting and laying out your clothes, purchasing bus tickets online, or scouting out the most efficient route between locations. Don't forget to prepare some sustenance, like whipping up a sandwich or packing a snack, to keep your energy levels high throughout the day.

    By applying the 3P method to your daily life, you'll minimize the hassle and maximize your efficiency. So go forth, my productivity Padawan, and conquer the day with the power of planning, predicting, and preparing.

    Conclusions

    How we approach work efficiency is a personal thing. However, the more productive you are, the more time you can save and spent on leisure activities, thus prompting looking into methods of increasing work efficiency. One of such methods is the 3P strategy, which applies a simple yet effective dogma of planning-predicting-preparing for the upcoming job.

    The beauty of methods and strategies like 3P is that they are in a sense a way of thinking and solving problems. You could apply 3P for game jam sessions with co-workers, for an accounting job, for a big translation project or for just a day of your own life. It is because productivity aims to do the same things but in less time. And as we all know, less time spent on work means less hassle overall.