Socrates said, "Beware the barrenness of a busy life." I must admit I have let my guard down and have lately felt void of accomplishment asking myself, "How can this be since I've been so... busy?"
There are those things that you know you want to do but don't have time to get to them and then there are those things you have to do so those get top billing but you don't enjoy doing them and then there are those things you know you should do and you feel guilty for not doing them and then, of course, are those things you know you shouldn't do and without trying seem to get done all the time!
Earlier this year I started reading Getting Things Done by David Allen. It's a very detailed book on productivity and organization and literally maps out a process for action by making simple decisions to either do, not do or defer if it can be actionable later. I found the process a bit cumbersome and decided to defer the completion of the book till later, something I know I should do, and returned to my Marvel comic book collection, something I know I shouldn't do... well actually I don't own a comic book, let alone a whole collection but I still find time to do the things I know I shouldn't do!
Much of what draws us to do the things we should not away from the things we should is our level of enjoyment doing the tasks. We are fun seekers. We easily become distracted to something that has the appearance or experience of being more enjoyable than what we're currently doing. Then add that little factoid to the few among us who are procrastinators and you have a recipe for, well... nothing! Disasters can only happen if something gets done. Which can be and excuse in itself for non-action. Right? Who wants to be associated with a disaster?
So, what do you do?
When facing a decision and your thoughts wonder to, "You better do it." Consider saying it this way... "You do it... better!" Stop and think; not weather you can but how you can. By determining the how you discover a more clear view of whether you should and it helps map out the plan at the same time.
There you have it... my version of Getting Things Done in just a few, simple, short sentences. Now if were only that easy!
By the way, anyone know where I put my car keys?
