1 Thought:

Nobody isn’t guilty of putting things off; nobody. It’s human nature to seek joy and happiness and all that stuff. Don’t beat yourself up for being just another victim of procrastination, procrastination is an illness.

Good news! There is a cure.

Short lists might just be the cure. Every day should start with a short list of the things you need to get done.

No matter how important you think you are it really shouldn’t exceed 3-5 things; I try to keep mine to 3-4.

I remember as a young man in my very early 20’s being sent to a Stephen Covey/ 7 Habits seminar (he actually was still involved and it was awesome). He did a presentation that illustrated big rocks and small rocks. I remember he had a clear canister that was gradually being filled up with sand which represented the things that come “at” us each and every day; the things that others feel are urgent. The 3-4 things that we KNOW to be important, the big rocks, are trying to be jammed into this canister and just won’t fit due to all the surprises and “extra” that came our way that we prioritized and acted on first. So ultimately it illustrates that the important things got missed and remained undone.

The reverse of this was also demonstrated showing the same exact canister being first filled with the big rocks, then the sand which represented the so called “urgent” priorities of others being poured and filled around your big rocks and everything simply fit perfectly into the the same canister…your day.

So; if we make this list of 3-4 big rocks, these tasks, our number one priorities then eliminate the desire to procrastinate by starting with what we like least first each and every day do you feel you’d get a lot more done? There will always be surprises and the superfluous but with a daily plan of attack we will always have a far greater opportunity to win the day.

This is NOT easy at first but like most habits they become easier over time.

Honestly once you cross off or put that check mark by your first task being completed you feel better. It makes you feel like you are winning, and since it was your most dreaded task, theoretically the day should only get better and better. Plus due to this winning feeling early in your day you are riding high on the momentum all day.

Last reason to keep this list short. Although, I feel I am an extremely efficient person there are only so many things I can complete and maintain a high level of quality per day.

If you can’t give an important task your best efforts, don’t do it! Your worth to yourself, your peers, and organization is determined by not how many things you complete but how well you completed them.

Your output is your brand.

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So here’s my short list for you:

1. Your 3-5 item short list is the priority. Make them the priority. They matter.
2. Inbound “sand” has its place and that’s 2nd place.
3. Lastly remember your identity, your brand is reliant on quality not quantity. Keep it short!

1 Quote:

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important”

– Stephen Covey

1 Question:

Comment as to what 3-5 things are going to be on your list???

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