Here's a tip that can get your work-life going in the right direction.
Got a To-Do List that's longer than your garden hose? Or is one of the items on your list actually a 20-hour project, such as "finish the strategic analysis report this week"? If so, your list needs a Hollywood-style makeover to pare it to the vital three that you can get done today. Here's one thing you can do to get that runaway life of yours back on track. It's simple, it's easy, and if you stick to it, you'll see the results.
At the close each work day, list the three "must-do" priority items for the next day. For each item, estimate the amount of time it will take you. Pad each one with extra minutes in case you run into problems, have to answer some emails or calls, or someone unexpectedly grabs you for something. And set aside a specific amount of time when you'll be taking care of that host of five-minute items. I call this my Mini-Task Hour. Decide what time you'll start in the morning, what time you'll leave for home, and set aside the times during the day that you'll work on each item. You'll be surprised how this can give you much-needed breathing room.
Example List:
- Get to work at 8:30.
- Coffee, chat, relax (8:30-9:00).
- Write Abbot Report executive overview (9:00-11:00).
- Mini-Task Hour (11:00-12:00).
- Get presentation ready for Thursday's Landing Project team meeting and eat lunch (Noon - 3:30).
- Meet with Stan and Amy about the next phase of Calibri (3:30-5:30).
- Close down, make up list for Wednesday (5:30-6:00).
Notice there are only three main items on this list: Abbot, Landing, Calibri.
You'll probably be checking email throughout the day, getting calls, entertaining a few people who drop by your office or your cube, so DO be sure you add in that padding for each item. It'll give you that extra time you need to take those side items. You'll then leave work feeling like you've accomplished something.
And by the way, for most of my life I was a confirmed procrastinator and loved having flexibility in my day to do whatever I wanted, when I wanted. The problem? It took me a longer time... to accomplish fewer things. Four years ago I put "Me and the Vital 3" into practice and I've never looked back.
