To-do Lists

By Author: Marc Rifkin
Total Articles: 4
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Things & time. Time & things.
Big difference? Little difference? No difference? I'll tell you. Big difference. BIG difference. Why? Simple. To-do lists. Look, I come across a lot of people who can't seem to get a handle on time. "Waaaaaah, I have so much to do, and not enough time."
"Waaaaah, there aren't enough hours in the day."
"Waaaaaah, where did all the time go?" Call it poor time management. And what's the universal solution? That standard dose of wisdom from the minions of know-it-alls? "Make a to-do list."
"You need a to-do-list."
"You mean you don't have a to-do-list?" Do you like equations? I like equations? Here's an equation: to do list = to don't list Wanna know why? I'll tell you anyway. I'll tell you the same thing I tell my clients. Lists are for tracking things. Items. Objects. Shopping lists. Top Ten lists. Schedules are for tracking activities. Activities take up time. If you want to track your activities, get yourself a schedule. Or a calendar. Or a planner. Or make a time line. The usual response is, "You're crazy! Everybody has a to-do-list. I don't ...
... understand." No problem. Take out your to-do list, and we'll chat about it. Maybe your list looks something like this:
-do taxes
-buy present for Frobish wedding
-pick up dry cleaning
-clean out gutters
-renew driver's license
-follow up with sales lead
-call dentist
-return broken toy (don't forget receipt)
-call mom & dad
-look for new computer and so on... Name someone who finishes everything on a to-do list every day. Right, nobody. In fact, what usually happens at the end of the day is called 'page 2'. Which is followed by page 3. Both of which bury page 1. Oh sure, things eventually get crossed off. So, what's the point? The point is 'timeout'. I was watching the playoffs this weekend, and was reminded of the difference a football game and life. In a football game, you can stop the clock. Think about it for a moment. Where else but sports can you ask that time be frozen? Your relief pitcher needs more time to warm up? Send a coach to the mound. Imagine if this were true in real life.
"Time out. I'm going on vacation. Cancel the three foot stack of mail that I'm destined to return to."
"Time out. I'm not feeling well, and will be away from the office. Hold all emails and client requests."
"Time out. Hold all patient calls and emergencies while I'm enjoying the holidays with my family."
"Time out. I know that the boss wants this pronto, but I have dinner plans and have to leave early." Obviously, we can't plan (for) everything. (i.e., 6:45 - 7:00PM - change baby's diaper). But we can plan for a lot of things. Sure, we're not robots. Life is dynamic. Moods change. But, wouldn't things be a bit more manageable if instead of writing 'Clean out gutters' on a list you made some calendar entries like this : Sunday
11:45-12:15 - Clean out gutters
1-4PM - football game
5PM - Shopping - Look for computer
Return broken toy (take receipt)
Buy Frobish wedding gift Good friends, the key ingredient missing from to-do lists is time.
Take our garbage. WHEN?
Work on taxes. WHEN?
Call cousin Fred. WHEN? Lists are for WHAT. Schedules are for WHEN. I know it sounds radical. Give it some thought.