Do you have a to-do-list that never gets done? One that gives you the big time wasting dilemma of what to do next? A list that leaves you frustrated and you keep rewriting it with the same tasks on it over and over again? And you end up kicking yourself for all the unfulfilled incomplete tasks and lists that are littering your life?
Here’s something I have found really useful that might just help you with that.
First let’s look at how we think, because if we write our lists in tune with how our brains work, we’ll get more done, specifically how a typical boss thinks compared to that of the assistant.
Our thinking self, or ‘boss self’ considers all the possibilities, options and potential outcomes which needs some breathing room instead of rushing to a conclusion. We have to let things simmer in our minds before we can make the right decision. This takes time.
Our action self, or ‘assistant self ‘is the one that gets things done. Once the mind of the boss has been made, we move into our ‘assistant self’ and can be quite surprised how much we can achieve in a short space of time.
Yet how do we move from the ‘boss’ to the ‘assistant’ without losing focus?
This is where a laser focused ‘to do’ list comes in.
As our boss self, when we know what we want to do, we then break that down into specific tasks we put on the list for the assistant self to get on with. Very specific! – with no need for thinking and resource hunting, that gets done before hand or becomes an item on the list.
Here’s an example:
Instead of “Call the plumber” (yes this stuff works for life too). Your list would have:
· call John Smith, the plumber on 0131 556 7857
· make appointment for next Thursday, anytime (specify ahead of time the dates and times you are available to see the plumber).
When you come to do (or delegate) it there is no investigation or thinking time required. Nothing to distract you from the actions on the list.
When our assistant self takes over, with a mindset of ‘just do it’ you will be amazed at how quickly your tasks are accomplished. It’s the jumping back and forth between these two styles of thinking and doing that slows us all down. Now you can eliminate the procrastination and struggle of knowing what you should do next.
Your task list becomes your ‘just do it’ list, your ‘laser focused get it done today list’. Nothing on there should require any level of strategizing or prioritizing so nothing should be rewritten for tomorrow.
One more thing…..don’t keep us a secret, please share this.
A ‘to do’ list you’ll actually do!
Do you have a to-do-list that never gets done? One that gives you the big time wasting dilemma of what to do next? A list that leaves you frustrated and you keep rewriting it with the same tasks on it over and over again? And you end up kicking yourself for all the unfulfilled incomplete tasks and lists that are littering your life?
Here’s something I have found really useful that might just help you with that.
First let’s look at how we think, because if we write our lists in tune with how our brains work, we’ll get more done, specifically how a typical boss thinks compared to that of the assistant.
Our thinking self, or ‘boss self’ considers all the possibilities, options and potential outcomes which needs some breathing room instead of rushing to a conclusion. We have to let things simmer in our minds before we can make the right decision. This takes time.
Our action self, or ‘assistant self ‘is the one that gets things done. Once the mind of the boss has been made, we move into our ‘assistant self’ and can be quite surprised how much we can achieve in a short space of time.
Yet how do we move from the ‘boss’ to the ‘assistant’ without losing focus?
This is where a laser focused ‘to do’ list comes in.
As our boss self, when we know what we want to do, we then break that down into specific tasks we put on the list for the assistant self to get on with. Very specific! – with no need for thinking and resource hunting, that gets done before hand or becomes an item on the list.
Here’s an example:
Instead of “Call the plumber” (yes this stuff works for life too). Your list would have:
· call John Smith, the plumber on 0131 556 7857
· make appointment for next Thursday, anytime (specify ahead of time the dates and times you are available to see the plumber).
When you come to do (or delegate) it there is no investigation or thinking time required. Nothing to distract you from the actions on the list.
When our assistant self takes over, with a mindset of ‘just do it’ you will be amazed at how quickly your tasks are accomplished. It’s the jumping back and forth between these two styles of thinking and doing that slows us all down. Now you can eliminate the procrastination and struggle of knowing what you should do next.
Your task list becomes your ‘just do it’ list, your ‘laser focused get it done today list’. Nothing on there should require any level of strategizing or prioritizing so nothing should be rewritten for tomorrow.
One more thing…..don’t keep us a secret, please share this.
Till the next time,
Jane Quinn
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