When Harvard’s Ellen Langer published her 1978 photocopier test the world learnt the magic of the word ‘because’. People will comply with your request for no reason other than you used the word ‘because’ in a sentence…even though the reason that followed it was illogical.
And the equally magical cousin of ‘because’ is ‘in order to’. The logic of your plan jumps out with this simple, connective phrase. “I will [do this], in order to [achieve that]”. Common sense? Certainly not common practice. And a habit to be learnt. Once adopted, the planning becomes easier and the communication of your strategy becomes more compelling. An intended action should be stated with its purpose “..in order to..” This way the reasoning is clear. The audience know why they are about to act.
Research and observation in practices in business and in the military have identified that this phrase has unexpected powers. In his best-selling book, Influence, Robert Cialdini has explained this phenomenon by saying that people simply like to have reasons for what they do.
And, for those evaluating the plan and tasked with improving it, they can consider the purpose and ask: ‘is there a better way in order to achieve that goal?’.
So, state your plan and follow it with …”in order to…” then say its purpose. Then wait. Maybe ask: “any better ideas?” Try it!