To-Do vs. To-Don’t.
I’m sitting here looking over my list of things. I am becoming quite obsessive about post-it notes and having a system of clean organization. Nothing at all can be falling out of my planner. The planner I hate, but I am only using it until I pick one to order from Franklin Covey. And besides, the spaces in the planner are so small and my handwriting is so large, that I become overly anal about the way the writiting looks, that I feel the need to start clean. Sounds a little crazy, but I just need perfection. The to-do/to-don’t list is crazy. To-do/to-don’t lists for me never ever work. I am a lister. I list things that need to be done, or even things I’d like to do. Of course, I never am able to complete anything. Even if I take it one thing at a time. It has to be a multi-task project. This way it feels like I am getting more stuff done, but in reality I am leaving more things unfinished. That drives me insane. Everyone tells me I need to learn to do more than one thing at a time. That goes against my flow. Besides, who am I to kid that I am good multi-tasker?
Filed under: Etc. | 9 Comments
I really like Google Calendar because I can access it anywhere, though having a black book of dates and to-do lists in my bag at all times makes me feel important, except when I forget my pen, or the book. I also never remember to tick tasks off upon completion.
Multi-tasking keeps one entertained.
I think it’s important to understand that judging yourself is not a good place or space to be in. Whenever I can I try to remain in the spot of being an observer and I even become a cheerleader praising the part of the actions that I take that are praiseworthy. Keeping lists is praiseworthing– step one. Getting some things on the list is also praiseworthy– step 2. Never ever forget that it’s the judge inside of us that can become over active and actually cause us to give up on ourselves. So be sure to activate your cheerleader when you’re just hearing too damn much too frequently from your judge.
@Jasmin,
I sometimes use an application on my Mac called iCal. I would use it more frequently only if my Mac didn’t crash every five to ten minutes. I try and remember things I have to do mentally, but if my mind goes I’m pretty much screwed.
I empathise. I am a consumate list maker. But I have never done “to-don’t” lists. What are those (apart from a waste of time)? I make lists on paper, post its (less and less now) and especially on my Ipaq pda – where I have permanent lists– like what to take on holiday– so I don’t have to re-do some of them. Without making lists I can’t stay organised. Working on 7 or more projects isn’t unusual where I work, so I need my lists or I am lost because I forget). A secret– you don’t have to necesarily BE a good multitasker, you just need to be able to learn to be able to do it.
What I love best is crossing off tasks/things. That is the most satisfactory thing about them. Lists are a big part of why I’m able to multitask. I used to make lists of every single thing I needed to do in a day/week month and that was self defeating. I felt I was drowning and nothing was getting done/ finished. Instead the list attracted more and more things, was never ending and depressing. My lists were managing me and I had to get back in the driving seat. So now I try to list my 5-7 top “must do” things for a day, in order of priority. Priority can vary from task to task, and depends on you, but I really ask myself WHY this is a priority? Do I need to do this? Can someone else do it? What will be the result if I don’t get it done… when do I need to get it done, who do I need to help me get it done, etc.
I don’t always succeed with keeping my list in check, but most of the time it works. And I also give myself a pat on the back when I cross stuff off. I also use start by/complete by dates and reminders (I use Outllook, but most calendar apps have them) and allocate time (if I can) to a task to help me manage my list and my time. Post it’s are good, but try looking for a special list notebook instead– there are some really cool ones out there. You can then write the way you want (I have large writing too). Oh, and I should say that if stuff hangs around on my list for more than a certain number of days, I have to be pretty brutal and either move the due by date or delete it. You could try doing that… Try also re-writing your lists – if you are writing the same things in the new list… something is wrong and you either have too many tasks or tasks that shouldn’t have been there in the first place.
Anyway, good luck with the lists… show them who’s boss.
@Britgirl,
Long commenting post, but good advice. I think for me at this point I’ve given up on so-called “mission organization”. At this very moment I am cleaning out my drawers. Actually, I am a little OCD with cleaning and maybe it’s a good point to stop.
I totally know how you feel. I’ve always loved the idea of having a small, cute planner with all my important lists and events neatly written out, but reality always prevents this from happening. It usually takes me a few days before I start forgetting to write things down, or forgetting to even look at the things that I have written down, and then the whole system crumbles. You know what I’ve discovered? This: http://www.kinkless.com It’s the only solution that’s actually worked for me for longer than a few weeks.
@Sara,
Totally agree. Having a cute planner to keep life organized with lists and reminders sounds like a dream, but it doesn’t always happen.
Found you via 9rules and thought I had to show you one of the funniest articles I read in Esquire last year by a guy who outsourced his life to India with uber cheap personal assistants. Maybe this is a way to get through the lists?
@Anthony,
I literally just stepped in from work not too long ago. And I’m thinking of everything that I’d like to do tonight. Just little things, like putting the laundry away and reading a book. But I don’t even have the energy to do it all. All I really want to do is take a long nap!