There are approximately 6 weeks left of the year. What is still on your ‘get-it-done-in-2020’ checklist? Yes, I know, this was one strange year. Priorities and routines were upended. Still – was there something you set out to do during the year that is not done?
The first step is to take a look at your list (or write it down if it’s in your head). Be honest – what can be accomplished in 6 weeks? If you have more than three to-dos on your list, whittle these down to 2 or 3. Then ask yourself, what needs to be true for you to accomplish these things?
For me, my obstacles are typically in my head. I get in my own way. I think the task is too daunting, or too complicated, or I don’t have time. However, if I take an honest look at the tasks usually none of those things are true.
This leads to the second step, which is an honest evaluation of the challenges or obstacles in our way. If time is an issue, you may need to be creative. For example, a home organizing professional suggested spending 7 minutes a day decluttering. Hmmm. 7 minutes. I can afford 7 minutes, especially if I’m in between tasks that take place at a certain time. The compound effect comes into play here. For the first few days, 7 minutes of clean up is hardly noticeable. But over a few weeks you start to see the impact. Seeing the results fuels the motivation for continuing.
Whatever the challenge, ask yourself if it’s really a true obstacle. If you tell yourself you want to do something but then tell yourself it’s impossible, ask if it’s really impossible. Years ago, I got the notion to start running. (People who run always look uncomfortable to me but it’s an accessible exercise that I know is a healthy habit.) But I told myself I couldn’t get up any earlier than I was already. When I did an honest assessment of that challenge, I judged it to be false. I could get up earlier, I just didn’t want to. (I did end up getting up early and running (ok, jogging) for several seasons.)
Whatever it is that you want to do you need to set aside time to do it. That means not doing something else. What are you willing to sacrifice? What’s in Quadrant 3 or 4 that could be set aside in order for you to make room for the thing you want to get done in the next 6 weeks? If you’re not sure, you may want to do a time audit of the day. (Full disclosure – I haven’t done this for a full day, but now that I’ve mentioned it I think I could really benefit from it!) Just write down what you’re doing every 30 or 60 minutes. I’ll be you find something that you can set aside for a bit in order to finish what you want to finish.
The last step is to honor your commitment. If you put your work on the calendar, honor that time. In other words, do it! You’ll be very happy to have accomplished what you set out to accomplish.
In summary:
The Get It Done Framework
- Write down what on your list of 2020 to-dos can be accomplished in the next 6 weeks.
- Evaluate the challenges. Ask if the obstacle is real or if you are just telling yourself it is.
- Set aside time to do it. Figure out what you are willing to sacrifice to make room for what you want to do.
- Do it!
I will be working right along with you to complete three things left on my list!
engineer your life
Think about anything you haven’t gotten to that you intended to accomplish this year. Follow the framework and see if you can get those items checked off your list!