My AH-HA! Moment

Every life has its Ah Ha moments. And these are really big milestones in one's life.  They are those moments of clarity on a certain subject when a really big curtain has been lifted.

For years I have struggled with getting the most out of my work day and started to work extra hours to get every thing done.  I still had piles of tasks left over and not enough time in the day. I've never been able to really work hard on my goals.

Saturday morning, after 4x4ing with my 2 year old, I made it into work and while the engravers were happily cutting out name tags, I researched goals, tasks and distractions.

Then it hit me.  My Ah-Ha! moment had arrived.  Now I am changed.

All my life I have been putting my goals (and the tasks assigned to reach them) in a list that would never get done.  I would make a ABC list and put my goals in the C list (along with watch TV, Wash my Jeep, etc...)

These task need to be put into the A list.  Your A list needs to be done first everyday so don't make your A list too big or take too long because you actually do need to get urgent tasks done too.

Remember:  NOTHING IS MORE URGENT THAN PUSHING YOUR GOALS AHEAD. When you remember this, your goals will get completed.  For sure!

This may seem like an obvious thing to some of you, but I believe it is the only thing holding me back from my success.

Task list is a garden

My task lists aren't getting me anywhere so I decided to do some research on what works for successful time managers.  I was reading this morning about my ABCDE list and I'm doing it all wrong.

I am filling my:

A list with stuff that has to get done today no matter what (my A list is packed every day)
B list with stuff that has to get done
C list with Plans and Goals to move the business ahead
D for Delegate (rarely used)
E for eliminate (stuff I shouldn't do)

This is how really successful people do it:

A is for moving plans and goals ahead. (there should only be one or two A list Items)
B is for Urgent tasks
C is for stuff that is fun or nice to do
D is for Delegate (use it more)
E is for Eliminate (things you must never do ever ever ever)

Only by using this method will your plans and goal get moved ahead.  I liken it to being so religious about weeding the garden that you never get a chance to plant any seeds.  This method suggests that you plant the seeds in a weedy garden and the weeds will get pulled while the veggies are growing...