We tend to have a seemingly unlimited number of tasks and activities to do every day. The question is…
What can we do to be more effective?
We can take three at a time in order to age like a fine wine.
With so many things to do, we often drown in the complexity and extent of all we need to do. We can be “busy” all day, yet get home and feel as if we have accomplished nothing.
To avoid this sinking feeling, we can take three at a time. This idea comes from one of the all time classic time management techniques proposed by Ivy Lee to Dale Carnegie, many years ago.
I have made a few adjustments to the process to make it easier. The only thing we need to start is a blank notepad. While any size will work, the pocket size is convenient and practical.
The first step is to go to the last page of the pad and write “Work” at the top of the page. Then list everything which needs to be done relating to work without regard to priority. The most important and the seemingly insignificant items should all be written down. Then on the next blank page, going from the back to the front, we put “Personal” at the top of the page. We then list everything we need to do which doesn’t directly deal with work. Other pages can be used for special projects or interests if necessary. As new items arise, we place them on the appropriate list or make a new list.
This first phase is essential to feel “in control” of all we need to do. One of the worst sensations we can have to “have forgotten something.” Having everything in one place allows us to write it down and forget it knowing we can always refer to it at any given time. By having it in a notepad, we avoid having to be close to a computer or look at our phone or electronic agenda which isn’t always possible or convenient.
Before leaving work or going to bed, we review our lists and cross out the items we have completed, or no longer apply. We choose the three most important tasks which need to be done the following day and list them on the first page of the pad without regard to priority. You may now be thinking, “I don’t have just three things which are important, I have thousands!” While this may be the case, there are three which are more important than all the rest at this time. Tomorrow there maybe three entirely different items, but today we will concentrate on just three at a time.
The next day, after we have allowed our minds to consider these three items overnight, we prioritize each by putting the #1 next to the most important item, then the #2 alongside the next and the #3 next to the least important of the three. When we start our day, we start only with #1 without looking and, if possible, without thinking about all the other things we need to do. Until we finish #1, or are inhibited for some reason in its progress, we don’t move on to #2. If we are interrupted, we take care of the interruption and then get back to the activity we were working on.
If we only complete the most important task during the day, we will have had a successful day. If we do all three, terrific! If we complete all three and/or are unable to work on our three most important items, we have everything else we need to do at hand in the last pages of our notepad.
We live our lives day by day, hour by hour and minute by minute. Tomorrow will come when it comes with or without us. Our “inbox of life” will never ever be empty. When we direct our attention to the most important tasks we need to complete today, we live a life of intention and direction.
∞ Rob McBride ∞
LL II 48