Who's Counting
"Don't count the
things you do, do the things that count."
- Zig Ziglar
(1926-2012)
American Author/Speaker
Do you like
to make lists? I do. I am a planner and will list all the things I
have to do during my day and then check them off one by one. If I do something that is not on the list, I
will add it just so I can mark it off. I
know this may be a bit odd, but I find satisfaction in seeing the list of tasks
all marked off at the end of the day.
I have also learned another
important lesson, to do one thing that counts is better than counting twenty
things on a list. I am a firm believer
in planning your day. If you spend just
a few moments every evening or first thing in the morning planning what needs
to be done, you will save hours of time being disorganized. However, the key to a good list if to set
priorities of what tasks must be focused on and what are "fillers".
It does not take a professional
to know that not everything we do during our day is important or even needed. By scheduling your priorities you can keep
yourself focused on the things that matter.
You can get the tasks that need your full attention at the time when
your full attention is at its peak. For
example, my best time of day is between 9:00 - 11:00 am. I think my best at that time and I have more
energy. This is the time I schedule to
do my writing. I know that I can get
more done and produce the best quality during this time than any other time of
day.
What is your best time? Some people are morning people and some
night. Some do their best after lunch or
at the end of their day. Find out what
your best time is and then plan to do the tasks that require your best during
those times. You will not only find that
you do a better job, but you will feel better while doing it.
If you are just starting to use
the principle of planning your day, here is a suggestion for you to make it the
most effective thing you do.
List Your Priorities
Make two lists to start with,
not a list for the day but a list for the month. One list should be all the important tasks
you have to do. Mark them 1,2,3 and so
on in order of priority. The second list
is for everything else. This can be
trips to the store, phone calls and appointments.
Plan Your Day
Each day, incorporate these
lists into your daily schedule. Always
put the priorities at your best time.
Note, I said your best time, not at the start of your day. I know we are often told that we need to do
the hard things first and get them out of the way. However, if the start of your day is not your
best time to focus, you will not give the quality of work needed for the
task. Always work within your strengths,
and not out of your weaknesses.
Stay Committed
Taking action to get the most
out of your day is a deliberate act. It
will never just happen; you have to make it happen. That means that you have to create a plan and
stay with that plan every day. When you
stop, your progress will also stop.
Action is a decision, not a natural result of desire.
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