getting one thing done

Aug 20, 2008

getting one thing done

As part of my 6-posts-in-one-day assault, I thought I would address my latest productivity attempt. I find that I am an excellent list-maker and sorter, but I have the usual trouble getting things done. I have decided recently that the focus has to be on getting one thing done per day. Pick a random item from your to-do list (I use Vitalist) and do it. Put no pressure on yourself to get more than one item done.

This concept isn’t original with me. Zen Habits has the big rocks concept, but it’s a concept that predates Zen Habits. Nonetheless, it is powerful. I get overwhelmed by lists. The last few days, I have picked one item off the list – no matter how trivial – and told myself, get this one done today. Everything else can slide.

It works.

photo credit: Fr Antunes

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ToughMoneyLove

I read about a study several years ago that concluded that, for depression, completing one thing on your personal to-do list did a better job of elevating your mood than did anti-depressant medication. Try it. It works.

Mrs Pillars

I agree with TML. A long time ago, I found my apartment had somehow got cluttered and out of control and it was too overwhelming to tackle the clean-up. I made a list of "bite-sized" projects on post-it notes and had a little task lottery, pulling one out of a bag each day. Some days, it gave me such a boost to get one done, I'd keep going.