GTD

I'm trying to learn how to Get Things Done.

That inspirational conference in Vancouver last weekend (http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/) really motivated me to use my time effectively. With so much service to do, not to mention life to enjoy, why waste time fooling around on the computer? Procrastinating? It's a waste of ability, resources, and TIME. However, getting myself to do what needs doing is still hard.

Some things I'm working on.

1. Lists. I need DETAILED lists of what I need to do - in order - to get me to do them. Each item needs to be discrete enough that max. an hour of work (sometimes 2) will get it done. That way I can make progress. I need these lists at the START of my day - so, make them up the night before - so that as soon as I sit down to work, I know what to do.

2. Organized work spaces. When there is clutter, I can't think. I also can't seem to get my lists together, which you will see is important point #1. Putting things back, filing, and acting on all the little to-dos that fill my desk are important in this process.

3. Do the big things first. I am working on this :) It challenges me - when I hit something hard, I want to stop. But getting the work done first is SO rewarding. Relatedly, though I love starting my day slowly, I find it can set me up to get nothing done that day. At least, nothing of the substantive work I have to do, which is what then weighs on me and stresses me out.

4. Related to the above - no email before noon. Or later. Once I open email (personal, that is) it's all downhill. I start checking other websites, wonder which message to reply to ... time vanishes.

So, my renewed goals:
1. Make a fresh list each night of what I need to do.
2. End each day by clearing up my workspace - I will pic away at that and at my home office situation over the next month.
3. Take time at the end of the day to get some of those little things done, so they get done but I don't take time in the morning to do low-priority items.
4. NO EMAIL BEFORE NOON. PERIOD.