Action sequencing is the process of determining the order in which a set of actions should be completed, in order to maximize gain and minimize loss, including loss of time taken to perform the sequencing itself.
Action sequencing can be performed at different scales of time. Coarse-grain sequencing is determining if an action will be done before or after another at larger scales of time (e.g. this month or next month). Fine-grain sequencing is determining the sequence of actions to be performed in a single day. It is an essential component of Day Planning.
Perfect action sequencing is not possible. You will inevitably do some less important things before some more important things, do a series of actions in an inefficient way, or forget to do something and suffer some loss because of it. The goal is not to be perfect. It’s to be as good as possible within a reasonable amount of time.
Action sequencing requires balancing many different factors, including urgency, resource availability, and goal importance. It is always a judgment call, but there are a number of heuristics you can apply to improve the sequence:
1. Put actions that have a fixed, externally imposed deadline before those that don’t. For example, completing your federal tax return or planning a special celebration for a family member’s milestone birthday.
2. Put actions that will probably result in a large gain or prevent a large loss before those that won’t. For example, installing a security system when your neighborhood is experiencing a spate of burglaries.
3. Strike a balance between life improvement, life sustainment, enjoyment, and contribution/assistance actions. That is, between actions that will improve the quality of your life, those that will sustain it, those you intrinsically enjoy, and those that help others.
4. Group actions that require the same tools or context together in time. For example, running errands to stores in the same neighborhood.
5. Complete actions that support higher priority goals before those that support lower priority goals.