B +

Organize my life in 43 Days (continued from 43 Things)

I’ve been following the FranklinCovey Focus program this month, and they had a few interesting things to say about TO DO lists.

TO Do lists are composed of everything you can think of that needs to be done. The beauty of it is that you can make it out on a Monday and it’s still good on Friday. When you’re done with something, you check it off with a big checkmark. Why? Because it feels good. Accomplishments = Endorphin Rush. If we do something that’s not on the list, we add it so we can check it off and feel the rush. It’s good to record what we’ve done and have a history of our accomplishments. The problem with To Do lists (which may not be the same with everyone) is that they’re typically made up of things we need to do just to keep our nose above the water. In other words, it’s a Survival List. It’s too big and high priority things rarely get on it.

Weekly Planning changes the first part of that because high priority things are already there. First we look at how our time is scheduled, look at the “big rocks,” then make a list JUST FOR TODAY. The idea is not to fill the day. For example, if you have a three-hour meeting, that leaves five hours left in the day. Rule of Thumb: Never plan for more than 65% of your time; high response positions (e.g., homeschool moms ;) should plan for even less, because at least 51% of your time is going to be spent in response.

Once the tasks are listed JUST FOR TODAY, very quickly put them in alphabetical order of value [i.e., how important is it JUST FOR TODAY (not longterm)] and then each set (ABC) in the numerical order (123) in which individual tasks will be done. Hint: There will be fewer A’s (biggest payoff/return on investment) than B’s (where we spend the majority of the day.)

Creating the list is one thing; doing it is another.

Power is the ability to act. – Anthony Robbins, Unlimited Power

In the world it is easy to live after the world’s opinions, and in solitude, it is easy to live after one’s own; but the great one is he who in the midst of a crowd, can keep with a perfect sweetness the independence of solitude. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

JUST FOR TODAY I will finish what I start. -- Messies Anonymous

The task list is created according to our values, roles, and goals. These things are not necessarily the easiest, but most important. The Weekly Plan represents the big rocks, i.e., highest priorities. In the rush of the day we have to have the courage to make the plan happen. Then we find the peace and control we are seeking.

Excellent online tutorials available at Franklin Covey Learning Center: http://www.franklincovey.com/fclearning/index.html

43 People

There are people in the world who lead me to believe me that there is hope for the future of our race, and I count my friends and colleagues at 43(Positive :)Things among them. I’ve been involved in a lot of online communities, but never one as diversified and unified as this one, which brings People together from all Places and backgrounds to share Ideas on All-Consuming (and not-so-all-consuming) Things/topics of interest.

I’m so grateful to know you and look forward to meeting in person someday. Thank you for taking the time to share your warmth and generosity with me. It truly is a mutual admiration society :) and that is definitely something to celebrate!

Vayan con Dios, Amigos

Had to go through the back door to figure out how to create a new post this morning -- where there's a will, there's always a way! Clicked the Edit icon on my last message, then hit the Create tab to bring up a new textbox and here 'tis. Haven't checked out the FAQ, but there must be a better way ;)

Just wanted to say how pleased I am to see my name on the list of Contributors here on B+. I surfed over to update my profile after noticing a nice graphic on someone else's comment box elsewhere and decided to peruse the team profiles this morning. I enjoyed getting to know everyone better and encourage others to share a little more about yourself with us. Have a wonderful day, Amigos, and...

Vayan con Dios