The Accountability Guy®
Take a look at your to-do list right now. Hmm, it’s a bit scary. How many items on there are old, past their date actions that are still outstanding. If your to-do list resembles a stagnating pile of procrastination, it’s time to do something about it. Here’s how…
Looking at a list of tasks every day that fails to inspire, motivate or seem really difficult to complete can be soul-destroying. There’s nothing worse than seeing the same points come up time and time again, and wondering how you can avoid doing them for yet another hour, day, or month.
Aside from feeling frustrated at their existence and missing new opportunities (you can’t benefit from what’s not done), they can also impact the other things on your to-do list that DO interest you. By sucking you of enthusiasm and energy, they can make the fun stuff harder because you don’t have the get-up-and-go mindset to focus on what actually puts a smile on your face and what makes sense for your business and the way you operate. Instead, you’re distracted by the tender points that you hope will disappear.
Far from being a pretty picture, this scenario is a reality for many people and it’s got to stop.
Follow these three simple steps to give your to-do list a much-needed overhaul:
Take a look at each point on your to-do list and ask yourself, How long has the task been sitting on my to-do list for?
If it’s weeks or months, you can probably get by without doing the task at all. Your to-do list isn’t a memory bank where you scribble down everything you’re worried about forgetting – it should only be used to note down actions that contribute towards your key goals and objectives, or administrative tasks that need to get done to improve your productivity. Anything else should not be taking up precious focus and attention. Delete, delete, delete.
The to-do’s that are left should be; essential and something that you just can’t give to someone else to do. If they don’t fall into either of those categories, go back to step #1 and start again!
Now that you’re clear on exactly what you need to do, it’s time to smash your way through each task with these smart time management strategies:
What outcome are you trying to achieve by doing that task?
You need to know what you’re aiming for to manage your time smartly.
What do you need to do to get the job done?
Work out the steps involved so that you’re crystal clear on what needs to happen to achieve your objective
Block out time in your diary to do each task. It’s essential that these blocks of time are physically written or typed into your program rather than left floating around inside your mind!
Give your blocks of time the same respect you would a client meeting, i.e. turn up & do what you’re supposed to do, no excuses
Work through the steps in your plan systematically and make sure you stay within the allotted time allocated to each task – this will help keep you focused and on track
By working through these steps, you will regain control over your to-do list and increase your focus and attention on what is essential. Commit to acting on these steps every day and in a short period, you will have eliminated the stagnant points on your list, and will be left with an action plan that is both relevant and motivating!
This is precisely how I can help!
Let me know if you’d like to chat about how you get on and what works and what doesn’t work for you? I’d love to include in my future blogs.
Perhaps you are interested in my face-to-face business coaching programs and sessions or get your own group of like-minded folks together for my Group program where I facilitate, chair and work personally with your group to achieve your collective goals. Ask how I can assist you to ‘Tick Those Boxes’.
Send me an email to comment. Don’t forget to SHARE this post with your world, you might just help someone who’s feeling the pressure right now.
Darren Finkelstein is The Accountability Guy®. This involves being an International Accountability Coach, Business Advisor, Mentor, Author, and Speaker.
Darren works with high-performing teams and individuals across Australia/NZ, UK, USA, Latin America, Europe and Asia to help get results, achieve their wildest dreams, and smash goals. He does this by leveraging over 30 years of experience working in the corporate world and small businesses.
A successful business owner himself, Darren won the Australian Entrepreneur of the Year award for Dent Global after building a wonderful lifestyle business, successfully sold and exited after 15 years.
Before this, Darren worked for over 10 years at Apple Inc. as ‘Manager of Commercial Markets’ during the inspirational Steve Jobs era. While there, he was awarded the prestigious Golden Apple Award.
Darren’s lessons in accountability can help individuals and teams at all levels of a business or organisation across the globe, and are based on actions and results:
Know what to do first
know what to do next
know what to do more of
1. Take the Accountability Scorecard
How accountable are you? Discover your accountability score and increase the probability of smashing your goals and Getting Sh!t Done. Take the quiz
2. Read my book "The Accountability Advantage - Play Your Best Game"
Eliminate procrastination and overwhelm and start playing your best game.
Buy a copy
3. Book a complimentary Accountability Assessment
Invest 15 minutes now and avoid months or years of struggle. If you genuinely need help becoming more accountable, it can’t hurt to find out. Book here.
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"You can't buy happiness, but Getting Stuff Done is pretty much the same thing"
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