Build a Massive Action Plan (MAP)

Brainstorm every possible action that could move you toward the result, then ruthlessly prune to the ones that actually will.

Why it works

A MAP starts with unconstrained brainstorm (many possible paths) and then filters by the result-and-purpose criteria: which actions most directly move toward the stated result? Brainstorming before filtering separates creation from evaluation, preventing premature closure on familiar approaches. Filtering by the result (not effort or busyness) keeps the plan lean and directionally honest.

How to do it

1. Brainstorm freely: list every action, resource, and path that could lead to your result.
2. Filter: for each action, ask "Does this directly move me toward the result, or is it busy-work?"
3. Sequence the survivors: identify the natural order and any dependencies.
4. Pick the next concrete action and define it as a physical step you can do today.

Evidence

The brainstorm-then-filter pattern is consistent with research on creative problem-solving — separating divergent from convergent thinking reduces premature narrowing. The subsequent filtering for next physical action mirrors GTD’s clarify step, which is grounded in implementation-intention evidence. (mechanistic)

Brainstorming quality varies widely with individual skill and context; the MAP is only as good as the brainstorm inputs, which are not guaranteed by the method.

Common mistake

Skipping the filter step and treating the brainstorm output as the plan — leaving a MAP full of low-leverage tasks that feel busy but don’t converge on the result.