It's so satisfying when you run across another blog that speaks to you. You get a real sense that you're not the only one experiencing the things you're experiencing; not the only one with your particular set of quirks and foibles. It's comforting to see ideas and thoughts in written form that you yourself might have spelled out if only you could have found the words to do so.
That's why I was pleased to stumble on Penelope Trunk's blog, Brazen Careerist. The main thrust of the blog is, of course, career advice, but often Ms. Trunk shares stories and insights from her own life, and it is these honest, and sometimes vulnerable accounts to which I relate so well.
Recently she posted on Getting Unstuck in life and to-do lists, which is great because I often feel stuck, and I am a consummate list-maker, especially to-do lists. Thing is I get stressed over to-do list implementation. Do I write it out on paper or use some nifty app for the iPhone (you know, in the interest of using technology and keeping everything in one place)? I break a lot of the rules on her list, like making more than one list and forgetting it somewhere then making a new, new one to replace the two or three already lost. I mean what good does it do to write up to-do lists if you can't keep track of them?
My problem is I'm a tad absentminded. That and at the most inopportune moments (read: all the time) I have trouble with focus. I'll begin working on something then suddenly I'm thinking hey this other thing looks more pressing, maybe I'm wasting time working on this right now. You have no idea how frustrating and...unproductive this can be. Actually, if you're reading this then maybe you do know, and if so you have my sympathies. Trunk talks about getting distracted as well, so at least I'm in good company.
In those rare moments when I can follow through on a list it is very gratifying; there is a certain sense of accomplishment when you can put a little check by an item on that to do list, whatever form it takes. But as Trunk states, it takes self discipline which for many is a notoriously difficult thing to foster, myself included.
I have found that if I have a 'project' that I'm working on then I am usually much better at getting things done, and as progress is made, I feel a growing sense of accomplishment and satisfaction which can further bolster my efforts and desire to continue. The project could be something as simple as running some major maintenance on my desktop computer: defragging, deleting files, cleaning folders and such. Or something grander like finally building that web page I've only talked about building for God knows how long. I'm sure there's some well known underlying psychological mechanism at work here, but giving particular tasks the label of 'Project' seems to lend them some sort of legitimacy for me. A form of externalization I suppose.
Are you a list maker? Is that an effective way of managing your day? Let me know!
P.S. And if you do happen to have a recommendation for a really good productivity iPhone app please share! I mean, hey, technology's supposed to make our lives easier right?
