Yesterday, I began this post. Before I finished writing, it took a sudden, somber turn.
I wasn’t sure if I should even finish it. Or if I did, if I should include the ending.
I decided to include.
PREP (10 min):
WORK ON LIST (1 hr):
Start with easiest OR hardest? I went with the easiest this time. Wanted to get through several quick things first, so saved the ones that required a bit more thinking for last.
Do THIS for 1 hour = huge sense of accomplishment AND relief (original post title)
I’m about to spend the next hour tackling items on my To Do (rather “To Have Been Done a LONG Time Ago”) list. Get ready, set, …. ok here goes: I’m spending ONE hour tackling “easy” (at least regarding time it takes to get them done) things that’ve been on my list entirely too long. TIP: Add in accountability. I did this by posting on my Your Life Organizer Facebook page… which also held me accountable for posting it on my blog today:
PREP (10 min):
- Jotted down the stuff I wanted to complete. Listing out what you need to do, then figuring out the order you’ll do them gives CLARITY + FOCUS: two KEYS for working smart. TIP: Include places to check off so you can literally cross each thing you do off your list. This provides a nice sense of mini-accomplishments.
- Gathered supplies (note cards, stamps, writing pens). TIP: Look through list and gather everything you need before diving in. You’ll keep momentum going and get it done quicker.
- Minimized distractions. TIP: Turn off ringer and any other alerts, shut the door.
Made my list + gathered supplies
- Wrote 11 notes (including six from Christmas!)
- Wrote testimonial for our painters who did such a wonderful job …. over a year and a half ago
- Wrapped up a volunteer project that wrapped up two months ago (to the day) * actually postponed this one a day! *
- Made two phone calls (that I’d been putting off. And off. And off.)
- I worked through the list thinking, “Why didn’t I just do earlier? This isn’t so bad!” (I actually like writing thank you notes and feel I have to find the perfect mood to do them.) NOTE: Become aware of any perfectionistic tendencies. This type of procrastination can actually be paralyzing.
- MY NEW RULE: If you have (or truly want) to do it, then JUST DO IT on time – or before. You’ll feel great about being on top of, versus lousy for putting it off and then having it hang over you for weeks, months – even years.
Putting things off becomes clutter that snowballs. While it’s not something that clutters your environment, it can absolutely clutter your mind and become a weight that gets heavier as time goes by. TAKE ACTION NOW:On a very sad note…
As I began wrapping up the hour, I made a phone call that stopped me cold. Literally took my breath away. When I called my wonderful painter to give him the testimonial I’d finally written, his wife told me he was killed in a motorcycle accident in November. I felt horrible for not doing what I had said I would do. And my heart broke for his wife and loved ones. In addition to being such a professional, he was one of those good vibe people I’d talked about last week.
- Schedule an hour and tackle those little things you’ve been putting off.
- Include this: What’s one thing that – god forbid – if something were to happen you’d always regret not saying what you wanted to say. Or doing what you know you need to do.
