How many times have you had a dozen jobs that you've needed to do ......... but you've ended up doing none of them?
How many times have you lacked the motivation to plough through everything that you have to do just because your list of jobs seems never ending and getting started seems pointless?
Believe me, I've been there many many times and have seen more wasted days than I care to remember. However, I'm pleased to say that I have found a very simple method that has dragged me out of this motivational rut and now helps me to achieve more in a week than I was doing in a month before!
Now you'll notice that I said I have found a SIMPLE method and because it is so simple there is a danger that you will dismiss the idea without giving it a try for yourself. This would be a mistake. You're clearly reading this article because you're, shall we say, slightly lacking in the motivation department just as I was, and so I would fully recommend that you give the method a try for at least a week (it will only take you a couple of minutes per day) before you decide if it will work for you.
So, let's get down to business ........ Here are the steps I follow at the start of each day to ensure I get motivated to get things done:
1/ Get a sheet of paper and write today's date at the top.
2/ Write the numbers 1 to 7 down the left hand side of the paper.
3/ Take a minute or so to decide on the one job that is most important to get done and completed today. Write this job in at number 1.
4/ Complete numbers 2 through 7 in the same fashion with number 2 being the next most important job, then number 3 etc etc.
Before I move on to step 5, here are a few points to bear in mind when you're deciding what should be written at numbers 1 through 7:
> Make sure that some of the tasks will really achieve something today. For example, number 1 on my list each day is always 'Email' so that I can check my email and get any replies dealt with and out of the way early. But dealing with the build up of email is actually just 'firefighting' and keeping the backlog from building up rather than really achieving something. I therefore make sure that the next few tasks are things that will really make a difference to my business and that I will see as real achievements when I look back at what I have done during the day.
> If a task is very large then break it down into smaller chunks. As the old joke goes 'How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!' Similarly, if you have a large task to complete then break it down into smaller bite size portions. Some days, all of my numbers from 1 to 7 will be filled with just one task that is broken into seven chunks. Breaking a task down like this makes it all seem so much more manageable and achievable and even just completing one small part then seems like you're getting somewhere.
So let's get back on track with:
5/ Get started with task number 1 on your list. Do not move on to number 2 until you have completed number 1. Far too often we try to juggle ten things at a time and end up getting none of them done. Using this technique ensures that just one task is given our full attention and you'll be amazed at how quickly it will get completed.
6/ When number 1 is completed, enjoy yourself crossing it off your sheet and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Now move on to number 2 .... and so on down your list.
7/ If you complete all 7 tasks before the day is over then again congratulate yourself ..... and start a new sheet numbered 1 to 7.
8/ If you get to the end of the day and you haven't completed all 7 then don't worry but just carry the uncompleted items over to tomorrow's sheet.
And that's it. I told you it was simple but I also assure you that it's very very effective if you will only give it a try.
Why not start today, give it a one week trial ..... and see how much you've managed to accomplish by this time next week?
Chris Towland www.easy-self-improvement.com
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