Leadership: Reverse Planning

Most people focus on what to do.

They make lists to help them plan. They set priorities. Then they work through the lists, task by task, checking off each item as they complete it.

This is okay if you have enough tasks to fill one list.

What happens, though, when you have enough tasks to fill two lists? Six lists? A dozen lists?

Then what do you do?

That, by the way, is my problem. I can think of enough things to do to fill three life times. Of course, maybe I'm being cautious. It might be ten.

For example, I have a novel that I want to rewrite. I have two more books on leadership topics that I want to finish. And I want to call dozens (hundreds, actually) of people to talk about their business and how they're doing. All these things are waiting on top of running a business and serving clients and writing articles and improving programs and so on (this list could fill a book).

So one list won't do the job.

Then (sometimes) I'll prepare a second list. It's a list of things Not to Do.

That way I can forget about them. Often these are tempting activities that take time from more important things. 

As a result, some low priority tasks may have to wait for weeks. And some may have to wait until I start my second (or seventh) life.

This leads to two thoughts.

1) If you have too much to do, a list of things Not to Do may help you focus on the things that matter. Of course, a list of things to do includes everything from working to resting.

2) If you don't have too much to do, why not? We need an abundance of ideas for a rich life. Then we can choose the best ones.

Key Point: Every time we choose to do one thing, we choose not to do another.

Much success,

Steve Kaye

714-528-1300
 

PS: Want to know more? Call me.

Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator

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