by Kay
Wicks 8/27/06
Managing our time as we go about fulfilling the multiple roles expected of us as parents,
family members, workers etc has become crucial today. An inexpensive and old-fashioned
way of simplifying our lives is to resort to listing out our needs and priorities.
A pen or pencil and a piece of paper or notebook are all that are required although
electronic versions too can be used if preferred.
The concept of a list is simple: Write out one below the other, items that need attention.
Doing so helps to clarify and sort our minds and presents visually what we are trying
to accomplish. It is a good tool to fight procrastination. There is a feeling of accomplishment
that comes when each item on the list can be crossed out or checked as completed.
I have come to rely on lists in a variety of ways to bring order into my life.
Itemized list or Presentation Aid
Perhaps, this is the most common way that we use lists. Whether it is as a shopping
list, a menu planner or in writing out all the blessings that I receive at the end
of each day, an itemized list is one that I use quite often. It is a good focusing
tool that is used by writers and presenters to retain the attention of readers or
a target audience.
The to-do list
Touted by management gurus as an effective time management tool, a to-do list is one
that has wide applicability in a variety of situations. It is a list that sets out
the activities that need to be done on a daily basis or during an identified period.
Its effectiveness derives from the fact that it links activities with a specific completion
time.
I use to-do lists regularly, both at home and at work. By prioritizing my tasks so
that the most unpleasant and /or important tasks get done first, I get a sense of
relief as well as achievement when that task is completed as well as the motivation
to complete the others on schedule. I have resorted to writing out a to-do list on
Friday evenings so that I have no regrets come Sunday evening of all the things I
could not do during the weekend. It is a hodge-podge of activities that range from
house cleaning and grocery shopping to journaling, reading a novel and going for a
walk. By including leisure activities along with chores, my to-do list ensures that
I have some time for myself during the weekends.
Used in combination with a calendar, a to-do list is also a good tracking tool in
achieving the larger goals I have set for myself. It is the to-do list that breaks
down to weekly activities all the small tasks that I need to complete to achieve those
bigger goals.
The target tracker or counter
This is a more elaborate list that helps to check whether I am achieving the goals
I set for myself. For instance, at what point do I call myself a successful freelance
writer? Is it when my income reaches a particular amount or when the number of accepted
submissions during a set period exceeds a certain number? By attaching a measurable
target to my goal of becoming a writer, and maintaining a dated list of each submission,
I have a good idea of how well I am progressing. To be useful, this list requires
a minimum of three columns consisting of date, activity and measure.
Cost-benefit analyzer
Often when faced with decisions that cannot be resolved fast, I use this management
tool to sort out my thoughts. On one column I list out the pros or benefits relating
to the question and in the second the cons or disadvantages relating to the same,
including any numbers I can set out against each option. Depending on the question,
this can involve examining two options, as in whether to own my own home or rent.
By checking the costs and benefits relating to each option rationally, I am able to
make a more confident decision.
As can be seen, a simple list is all it takes to bring some order into our multitasking
lives. Try it!
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