Is Your To Do List Doing You In?

I am remembering a cross country ski clinic I participated in more than a few years back and a subsequent critique of my style and form. I can still hear the instructor's words as she said, "There are many things wrong here; we can only work on one."

Your to do list is doing you in. Could it be planning, staffing, competence?  Delegation, leadership or organizational growth?" In reality, it is probably a combination of many different things.

The pressure is on so what do you do? You work on you. You gather, prioritize and connect. You lay your cards on the table and you renegotiate expectations.

Thinking of sliding into the corner, under the desk, or behind the door? Don't do it. Not only is that not productive, there simply is not enough time.

Comments

[HR Maven]

However direct, that was some great advice - though I can't say in the moment that I would have fully appreciated it. :) I have a system where I close out my email and check it periodically during the day and block amounts of time to work on designated projects. It helps.

It is easy for me in my job to focus on the 'little things' - to get them out of the way so I have plenty of time to work on big projects. That never worked; the little things NEVER go away. So I let the little things pile up, review them in the AM, PM, answer calls and emails and delegate the rest.

They would find me under the desk. :)

[Lisa Rosendahl]

Under the desk? Nah, still too close to the work - how about out the window?! Closing out e-mail is awesome advice - those little popups can get me off track in an instant. I am going to try that on Monday.

[Malcolm Chlan]

I agree, I have lists that never seem to shorten but that seems to be what life in general calls for lately. Just write it down and hold on for the ride.

[Angela]

Absolutely - such a good post. A laundry list of to-do items does not work in every scenario. Sometimes you really do just need to pick something and stick with it until it's complete.

http://thrownintotraining.wordpress.com

[Lisa Rosendahl]

I am holding on tight Malcom and Angela, I do take great pride (and pleasure) in being able to check off a project from the list. Sticking with something until its complete is difficult but so very necessary.