Shortcuts To Getting It All Done

Getting it all done - is it really possible? We’ve all had the experience of getting back to the office (or home) after a productive errand-run only to realize that you forgot to pick up brown sugar for the special dessert tonight, and you didn’t stop by Office Max which was right next door to where you were. Two things that could have taken less than 10 minutes will now cost you over an hour. Frustrating, isn’t it?

But just let me say, that as boring, old-school, and something-your-mother-did as they sound, lists are better than a best friend in the daily slug-fest to get it all done. Get your brain on paper! -- and feel the freedom to choose to do other things you’d actually prefer to do.

Here’s a checklist to help:

1. I have a calendar/date book that has all my tasks, errands, appointments, deadlines, etc. for both work-life and home/family-life.

2. Each evening I spend at least 15 minutes physically preparing for the next day -- lunch/dinner, wardrobe, errand list, etc.

3. I am able to easily delegate tasks, jobs, and chores to my children, my spouse, my employees/co-workers.

4. I feel comfortable turning down an invitation to talk or lunch, if I have things that are more pressing.

5. I know when my best energy is available, and I do the hardest things on my list then.

6. I have a list of the top 3 priorities in my day, and I work consciously to avoid distractions from those. I don’t jump from one project to the next. I finish one thing as completely as possible before going on to something else.

7. I am consistent. I don’t plan one day, then not follow the plan.

8. I am realistic about what I can successfully accomplish in one day, and I don’t overload my schedule. My daily calendar includes flexible time to absorb the inevitable broken printer, traffic jam, upset best friend, cranky boss.

9. I do things right the first time, so I’m not always having to back up to finish something, or do it over because it was done sloppily. I’m organized so I don’t waste time looking for things, or re-creating things I’ve already done but misplaced.

10. I’ve mastered the skill of “compartmentalizing” so that I focus on work tasks while at work and home things while at home (with small exceptions). I don’t worry about work while at home, or worry about home while at work.

11. I don’t suffer under the burden of over-exaggeration; I’ve mastered the skill of breaking projects down into small steps and accomplishing them one by one.

12. I recognize that there are things/circumstances (printer, cranky boss…) that I cannot control, and I make a daily conscious choice to focus my emotions and actions on the things that I can control.

Did you find some left over you couldn’t check off? Don’t fret. Just simply start incorporating the ones you need to help your life run smoother immediately. By fall, you’ll be so efficient; you might even find time for that long over-due vacation.