How To Use Trust To Crush Your To-Do List
If you have a pile of to-dos that are sitting, waiting, all with expired due dates and no prioritization . . .. . . just stick with me.
Step 1. Create three columns
Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Done.The Backlog is the space for you to drop undefined, kinda vague tasks that don't really have a clear start or finish in your mind. It's the place for "someday maybe" tasks, and other ideas for things you should do. This list doesn't have to be prioritized and it doesn't have to have due dates on tasks.The Sprint Backlog is the space for your working to-do list. You should keep it to only a list of things you can accomplish in 1 or 2 weeks. This list should be prioritized and you should have an idea of how "heavy" the task is. Since humans are notoriously bad at guessing how much time things will take, I've used point systems and T-Shirt sizes (S, M, L, XL) to gauge task "weight."The Done space is for, you guessed it, stuff you've done. By keeping track of this list, you can see how many tasks (or points) you've accomplished in the sprint period. This will give you an idea of how much you can reasonably get done from sprint to sprint. The obvious benefit of this is that by consistently predicting a feasible workload for yourself, you won't be disappointed or surprised when if you don't get some massive amount of stuff done.Together, these three columns create what's known in Agile Management as the Scrum Board.
Step 2. Prioritize the Sprint Backlog
Use the Eisenhower Decision Matrix if you're having trouble with this step.
Step 3. Delete stuff
Everything on that list should be fighting for it's life to stay there. Your time and attention are the most valuable assets you own. Don't overload yourself with tasks that don't matter!When you don't trust your to-do list to be true or accurate, you stop trusting the one tool that will help you see your priorities clearly. Your most important tool will become less and less useful.When you don't trust your to-do list, you don't get as much done. When you don't get as much done, you stop trusting your abilities.And if you lose trust in your abilities, it's going to take you a lot of small wins to get your mojo back.That's it.
2 Minute Action
You probably can't do all three steps above in 2 minutes, but I bet you can do one of 2 things:
- Delete stuff that doesn't matter. Each task should fight for it's life.
- Schedule 30 minutes on your calendar to run through steps 1-3 today.
It's your life. It's up to you how you spend it.You can keep doing what you've always done, or you can get serious about your output.It's your day.
The Most Overlooked and Practical Application For Trust
Missed meetings that stay on the calendar.A pile of to-dos.In fact, a big long list of to-dos with dates that are WAY overdue.Seems innocent, though, right?What harm could it do?You're just adjusting. You're still striving. You're just on your way there, right?
Here's the problem:
When you stray from the structure you've laid out--whether it's a calendar event, to-do, or whatever--you're building distrust.You're teaching yourself that you can't trust the calendar to tell you what's important because sometimes there are events you can miss.You're teaching yourself that you can't trust your to-do list because it's packed with tasks that don't matter and clog up your view of priorities.You're teaching yourself that you can't trust yourself to get things done or honor the schedule.If your calendar is sacred, you will trust it.You'll have a good relationship with your calendar and you'll enjoy using it as a tool--because it will actually be useful.You'll have a good relationship with your to-do list and you'll enjoy using it because it will also be useful.
2 Minute Action:
Scan your calendar for the week. Delete anything you KNOW won't happen. Reschedule, kick back, block off a chunk of time to get something done--whatever you need.Do it now.In tomorrow's post, I'm going to tell you more about how to prune and reset your to-do list.
How The Heck Doing Less Can Possibly Be More
My shoes were falling apart.I had holes in the sides, but I didn’t care. They worked.They were comfortable and I could use them for a lot of different activities.I kept them for over 2 years.Why?
Things should add value to your life.
This means replacing them when they are no longer useful or serve their initial purpose.Más soon as the things in your stop adding value (you stop using them or you forget about them in a closet for 6 months) you should throw them away, recycle, or donate them.This is a pretty effective way to turn that thing into something that is useful again.
“Love people, use things—because the opposite never works.” - The Minimalists
This is true in life as it is in work.The same is true in physical possessions as it is for daily tasks
2 Minute Action:
Take 2 minutes to run a quick audit on how your day will go. What will you be doing for each hour of the day?If each thing on your list had to fight for it’s life to stay in your day, would it make it?What percentage of your day are you spending on actions (or inactions) that aren’t adding value?How might you reallocate that time if you knew you only had another year left to live?The good news is that you probably have more than a year.The bad news is that the clock is still ticking.