My staycation this year took the form of a “to do” list 2 pages long. This included everything from errands I needed to run, chores around the house that needed to be finished, phone calls that needed to be made, and everything in between. In classic to do list fashion, I also marked down a date beside each item to remind me when it needed to be completed by.
I took one look at this massive to do list and was immediately overwhelmed. Not a good way to start a staycation if I do say so myself. I needed to revisit how I was creating to do lists.
Enter the “to be” list! Instead of focusing on things I wanted to do, I focused my energy on the person I wanted to be. When people asked me “what did you do over the holidays,” I could then reply with “lots – and I felt so happy, healthy, organized, (etc) while doing it!”
Each day I would write down adjectives (note: plural) that completed the sentence: “Today I will be…” I would then look at my massive to do list and figure out which things I should accomplish in order to help me in being those adjectives. It’s a pretty simple concept that totally skyrocketed my productivity. Now, 16 days later, I have crossed off ALL of my 53 things to dos (plus some that never even made it to paper).
This may just be the way my “to do” lists of 2010 are completed…
Pick of the post: Jamie Cullum – Don’t Stop the Music (music video of this classy cover of Rhianna’s song)
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2 comments
andrei says:
January 3, 2010 at 2:56 pm (UTC 1)
great post! it’s an interesting (and probably much more manageable) variation on Tim Ferris’ concept of setting goals in three categories: “things to be” “things to have” and “things to do”…
sounds like a great way to spend the holidays bud – glad you enjoyed them.
Matt Corker says:
January 3, 2010 at 8:29 pm (UTC 1)
Simplicity is key! But more importantly, ya just have to find a system that works (and makes ya smile).