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Posted: 3 Mar 2008
You may have heard the question, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!” You ability to plan well in advance of beginning the task is a measure of your overall competence. The better the plan you have the better your ability to overcome logjams, periods of inactivity, procrastination, and to keep going.
Always work from lists. When something new comes up or when someone calls add it to your action list. You can increase your productivity immeasurably by working from lists.
Make sure you plan your list and therefore your day the night before. Transfer uncompleted items, people you need to call from the day before and then add everything you have to do the next day. By working out your lists and action items the night before you will start the following day quicker thus completing tasks faster than you initially thought.
Create lists for different purposes. First, you should create a weekly list, such as one on one meetings with your sales team, monthly lists, such as checking on the performance measure of your team, six monthly lists, such as calling 10 Landlords to let them know how much you appreciate their business and their support for your company.
Finally, tick off the items as you complete them. This activity gives you a visual picture of accomplishment. It generates a feeling of success and shows yourself that you have been productive and keeps you motivated. It propels you forward and helps you overcome procrastination.
As you work through your lists, you feel more effective and powerful. You will feel in control of your day, and your life, and will be motivated to do more. You will think more creatively, you will be quicker and a lot smoother rather than jumping from crisis to crisis. Prioritise your lists; what is the most important, what are the major goals you want to achieve, what comes first. Always start with the end in mind.
Think on paper! Don’t use the computer to make lists. It’s not visual, as you only can easily change the screen on the computer and you will soon ignore the tasks on your computer in favour of emails etc.
Once you have developed the habit then certainly use the computer but this should only be done after you have become use to working from lists.
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