| The path to success starts by prioritizing your day – your goal-oriented day - with the creation of a daily to-do list that sees action applied to the most important items first. Let me take a step back so as not to assume (and make an “ass” of “u” and “me”). First, a to-do list is an effective tool only when the action items on the list are relevant to your desired goals. Otherwise, you’re just working and wasting time checking off tasks toward the realization of someone else’s dreams and goals. So when I speak of a prioritized to-do list I gather that you have already undertaken the Vision Quest and Vision Breakdown exercises and have written down your desired time-sensitive goals.
The second requirement in making your to-do list vital to your success is maintaining a daily schedule. I know this sounds remedial, but making a schedule noting every appointment, meeting, engagement, conference call, workout, etc. enables you to be more efficient and effective in achieving your goals. Not a day goes by that I don’t close out my day with a quick glance at my schedule so I can see what I have planned the following day – as well as a week ahead – and then prioritize my to-do list according.
Every morning following my workout and a healthy breakfast and my energy level is sky high, I list everything I want to accomplish for the day as well as any action item that I neglected to complete the previous day on my to-do list (See: Croce Library/Do It Now! Journal) Then I prioritize the list into three categories of importance by writing an A, B, or C in the left margin of the page. “A” items are a high priority and I must do! “B” items are of medium priority and I should do – but could be postponed if necessary. And “C” items are of low priority that I could do – but could be delayed without penalty if time doesn’t permit. It’s imperative that “A” items get completed before day’s end. On the other hand, “B” or “C” that don’t get checked off are automatically carried over to the next day’s action plan.
When I complete an action step, a to-do item, I check it off. Immediately! Check. Ah, that feels good. Now what’s next? I move on to the next important step of my daily action plan. Do it. Check it. Feel it. I love making those check marks. I do it with a flourish, with a little attitude. Because each check mark to me represents a tiny victory, a pat on the back, a sense of accomplishment, a step in the right direction. I feel I’m making progress toward my vision and goals. Sometimes, after I’ve done something, I then add it to my to-do list, so I can check it off!
Seriously, the frustrating part of a to-do list is that it may tend to grow throughout the day as new demands on your time, energy, and expertise are called into play. A customer phone call requires more information. A partner has an issue with so-and-so. An email requests your creative opinion on something. But a word of caution: new items added to your list never take precedence over any “A” items residing on the list – unless they are of the highest priority and urgent. Too many people put off important, high priority “A” tasks because they’re hard or painful or stressful to accomplish and procrastination seems a sweeter remedy. This is a sure fire formula for mediocrity – not success.
Be in control of your time by displaying the self-discipline to plan your day, prioritizing your to-do list, and taking action on your high priority items first and foremost. -- PC
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