For as long as I've been alive, I've been a list maker. My ToDo list has been an important part of keeping me organized and on task, but today after reviewing a TWO PAGE ToDo list... I just got depressed. "I will never finish all this stuff. This is bullshit." I said to myself. And the really crappy part about it is... I know that as soon as I check off one item, I will need to add 2 more. It's never ending. It's completely unsatisfying. It's self defeating for Christ's sake. Suddenly an epiphany! Ditch the ToDo list and make "Done" lists.
Yes that's right. My ToDo list must die! In it's place (cause once a list maker always a list maker) I create lists of stuff I've done throughout the day. Whoa... this makes me feel MUCH Better! Now instead of this never ending list of stuff that needs doing, I have a nice list of accomplishments at the end of the day. Within the Done list, I keep hours logged for client work, the emails I respond to, the paperwork I've done, the projects started and/or completed. It totally works and makes me feel heaps better. If my Done list isn't long enough, I know I have to step it up a notch and get working. If I've accomplished 20 tasks by Noon, I can entertain taking a little break. This works for me because each day I pretty much know the priorities I have to do anyway, so why focus on all the "other" stuff which only clutters up my brain and my day and makes me just feel like loser because I haven't accomplished enough. Yeah... The ToDo List must die!
When I am teaching a class, I normally ask students to put aside the note taking.
The reason for this is taking notes takes time and effort that should be spent "getting it". Clearly, in an academic lecture you take notes, but in a hands on training environment it is more important to " get it " . "To Do" lists are the same thing to me. Obsessing over to do lists is wasted effort. Make a list, check it off, move on.
Posted by: Mark Randall Kilburn | February 20, 2009 at 07:55 AM
Mark, What's up with us lately? We seem to be agreeing on things? ;)
Posted by: Lisa | February 20, 2009 at 08:00 AM
my god. that's fucking brilliant! what a great way to take advantage of the spooky and illogical human psyche.
Posted by: kyler | February 24, 2009 at 04:51 PM
ha this is possibly the answer to my prayers! i AM a list maker and - always will be..great idea..
Posted by: sar. | February 26, 2009 at 04:50 PM