Give Your to-do List a Makeover
Focus on What's REALLY Important
In a time-starved life, you have to continually concentrate on only the things that are most important. That's true in your job, and in your personal life. The problem is, our to-do lists keep getting longer!
I've realized is that you have to keep reviewing the to-do list and changing it. When more things get piled on, you've got to take something off. We may be super-women, even super-extreme women. But we're not machines. Things that once seemed critically important may now have to go in favor of a new task or goal that now is even more important. Adapting to change does not mean simply adapting to the changes around you. You've got to change how you behave.
Why am I doing this?
It's a simple question. We just hardly ever ask it. Why am I doing a specific task? Most of the time we do it just because we've always done it that way. We don't know how to do it any other way--or it never even occurred to us to try. The bigger question is: Why is it really important that I do this? Why is it important that I do it in this particular way? What would happen if I didn't?
As time goes on, many things we thought were vital at one time simply become less important. They've been replaced by more crucial things. Technology changes, people change, our own priorities change. These are useful questions whether we're thinking about a family tradition, or a task at work, or how you do the laundry.
Do only the things that are truly vital tasks. At work, focus on the big actions that truly determine your job performance and contribution. Outside of work, focus on the things that give you the greatest joy with your family and friends.
Be Selfish with Your Time
We want more time. More time to be with our families, our friends, and to have fun. We want to use time more efficiently to be more successful in our jobs. Time is all we have in the end. It's up to us to use it wisely. That's why it is okay, in fact, it's vital that you be selfish with your time.
Take a look at your to-do list. Keep only the things that:
(Post a comment! Let me know what topics are most useful and what you'd like to read about.
In a time-starved life, you have to continually concentrate on only the things that are most important. That's true in your job, and in your personal life. The problem is, our to-do lists keep getting longer!
I've realized is that you have to keep reviewing the to-do list and changing it. When more things get piled on, you've got to take something off. We may be super-women, even super-extreme women. But we're not machines. Things that once seemed critically important may now have to go in favor of a new task or goal that now is even more important. Adapting to change does not mean simply adapting to the changes around you. You've got to change how you behave.
Why am I doing this?
It's a simple question. We just hardly ever ask it. Why am I doing a specific task? Most of the time we do it just because we've always done it that way. We don't know how to do it any other way--or it never even occurred to us to try. The bigger question is: Why is it really important that I do this? Why is it important that I do it in this particular way? What would happen if I didn't?
As time goes on, many things we thought were vital at one time simply become less important. They've been replaced by more crucial things. Technology changes, people change, our own priorities change. These are useful questions whether we're thinking about a family tradition, or a task at work, or how you do the laundry.
Do only the things that are truly vital tasks. At work, focus on the big actions that truly determine your job performance and contribution. Outside of work, focus on the things that give you the greatest joy with your family and friends.
Be Selfish with Your Time
We want more time. More time to be with our families, our friends, and to have fun. We want to use time more efficiently to be more successful in our jobs. Time is all we have in the end. It's up to us to use it wisely. That's why it is okay, in fact, it's vital that you be selfish with your time.
Take a look at your to-do list. Keep only the things that:
- Only you can do
- Directly impact an important goal
- Will bring you satisfaction or happiness
(Post a comment! Let me know what topics are most useful and what you'd like to read about.
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