Want to Eat An Elephant?

Out to dinner last night, my group of friends went around the table asking for a quick update on life changes or accomplishments.  When it was my turn to share, one of the girls said, “You’re always up to something unbelievable - how do you do it?” I usually sheepishly say that Martha Stewart was my childhood hero and maybe I trained myself to have her work ethic.  When pushed for a real answer, I share that it’s all in the lists. My lists are almost a lifestyle choice. A lot gets done, and it’s impossible to be a flake or procrastinate when used correctly.

Want to know how it’s done?  Keep reading and brace yourself.  

First, write everything that needs to be done – all of it. Work stuff, side hustle stuff, home stuff, making friends/family feel appreciated stuff – everything.  Then, don’t read all of it - it might create anxiety and you’ll get stuck. Just put it into the categories below. Note: If you this exercise makes you feel stuck, please read about getting unstuck.

Second, I make efficiency groups.  This is important and helps in crossing off a lot of line items.  Here is what you do. Make groups based on things that can be done together, then a side grouping of what I call list/buckets – that keep details from falling through the cracks.   It works for me. Sounds confusing, but follow along, it will make sense. The three primary groups are - things that are done on the computer, phone calls, and things that need to be physically done. There are also two running side lists: “end of the day things to follow-up” and “tomorrow’s action plan.”

- I usually start with the first group called, “computer work.” I do everything that requires a computer in one fell swoop.  When I reach the end of that group, I make a follow-up list/bucket based on what was done.  For example, after sending out a lot of information for work, I’ll put on my “tomorrow’s action plan” list/bucket to follow up by asking if anything else is needed.

- Then, my next group is called, “calls.”  I sit at my desk with a notepad and go through the whole list of calls to make.  If the call goes through, I take notes on the conversation, if it goes to voicemail, I make a note of that too.  The results of this exercise go on the “end of the day follow-up” list/bucket.   This is where I reach out via email to either send a summary of the conversation or to let the person know that I called them and left a message.  This is SUPER IMPORTANT! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a phone discussion bite me in the ass. When it’s documented and time stamped, in the event of a disagreement, there is actual evidence of the discussion.  If I stayed on top of this, my life would have been a lot easier. (Interested in more of this? Read “If you didn’t write it, it didn’t happen.)

-  If I go out for lunch, I bring along my list of things that need to be “physically done.”  This is self-explanatory.  These are also put in my weekly schedule with a set time for the specific activity. 

- “Tomorrow’s action plans” this is formulated based on everything that was done throughout the day. This list also identifies the breakfast frog and gets the next morning rolling.  Highlight the frogs – call them goals or projects. When it’s done, write what the result was and what the next action step is. Then immediately schedule the time for the next action step.  I have a whole article on breakfast frogs. Read it!

Finally, block out time in your schedule to get each section done.  This will create routine. If you don’t have a normal job where you must go somewhere every day, it’s very easy to get stuck on the couch.  This will help in keeping you productive when it’s easier not to be.

Eventually, you will get through all your tasks, and the wheels of getting your life rolling will start moving.  When I started breaking everything into these lists, I found that lists melted away, productivity sky rocketed, and my life really got moving.  This is how I get big things like eating elephants done without sweating it.

You can do it too!

Don’t actually eat an Elephant… Save one by heading over to _____ and donate now to save an animal from going into extinction!