Ahhh… the to do list! We’ve all got one and sometimes it seems like most of the time it gets longer rather than shorter!
To do lists are such an important tool for managing our farms and there are some nuances that I would love to dive into over the next couple of weeks.
First off… how to get the list to get shorter and shorter over time…
There are actually 4 ways to get a task off of your to do list
- accomplishment (do it);
- deferral (decide to delay the due date);
- delegation (someone else does it);
- deletion (decide that it will not get done… and remove it entirely from your list).
It is important to note that actually doing the task is only one of 4 options at our disposal for shortening our to do list.
Once you have drawn up the list of things to do for the day ask your self: Which of these tasks is the champagne moment… which task would getting done cause you to bust out the champagne (real or metaphorical) and celebrate? Great now put that one at the top of your list… this is your Most Important Action (MIA). Next choose 2 other top priorities. Focus on these top 3 tasks early in the day…. the rest of the list is gravy.
And… don’t forget to take a moment and actually celebrate when you get these done… savouring the accomplishment, regardless of how much is still on your list.
What is one thing that would cause you to celebrate if you got it done today? … this week? …. this month?
Go make a ruckus!