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CantGetAnythingDone

Last week might have been an all-time record low-completion week for me. I'm in the middle of a bunch of things, and couldn't seem to finish anything. I've successfully (!) added more to my todo list, but haven't yet been able to cross anything off. I was feeling quite distressed, when I decided to reframe my frustration. Instead of resenting the kids, a short work-week, and the errands that popped up, I decided I could enjoy our my time with the kids as the chauffer. The other part of the reframe was that last week lay the groundwork for this week -- where I might be able to accomplish more, but I'm not sure.

I am concerned about how to make progress on my ever-growing todo list. I've done the "prioritize everything and figure out what to do first" piece. But, what do you do when you have weeks/days/hours when you can't get anything done? Do you have any helpful hints? -- JohannaRothman 2004.09.12

I read the following suggestion somewhere (and I can't remember where - argh!):

1. Make a list of 7 things you want to get done today. Each of the things should take at most 30 minutes (preferably 20 or 10)
2. Pick the 4 you least want to do, and get them done before 11AM

You'll be surprised at how easily you get the other 3 completed.

I also like the idea of doing something important that is not on the list. Spending time with the kids seems to belong in this category. --DaveLiebreich 2004.09.12

I noticed these accomplishments in your "got nothing done" week:

• You added important jobs to your todo list.
• You ran a number of important errands.
• You got the kids where they needed to go (probably several times).
• You invented a marvelous way to reframe your frustration and resentment.

How come you aren't counting those things as accomplishments?

--DaleEmery 2004-09-12

Another observation I made over the years: some days I get LOTS done. Other days I "work" all day and can't point to a single completed task. It just works that way for me. Worrying about it reduces my energy level and ability to focus on other tasks.

Other things I've noticed:

- I do better when I reduce context switches.
- I try to do "wide-awake" stuff early in the morning.
- When I get stuck, I go do something else, letting my subconcious work on the "stuck part".

--DonGray 2004.09.13

I like to look at two things:

- What I actually did with the time when I was busy not getting anything done. - If I'm doing things that aren't on my list, then look at why in the moment I thought whatever I was doing was more important than what was on my list.

If I am applying time only to stuff on the list, and not getting "anything" done, then either my estimation is off (which happens) or I'm not particularly good right now at the kind of work on my list. Bad estimation, well that takes a while to fix. If I'm not too good right now at stuff on the top of the list, I look at that fact. Either re-order things if I can do that, or maybe wonder why I'm not particularly good at getting that stuff done right now. Sometimes "not getting it done" is a hint that "it doesn't really deserve to be done, or other such clues."

If I'm applying time to stuff that isn't on my list then either my list doesn't represent my acutal prorities, or I'm not doing what I think is a priority. Either of these deserves a "what really is important to me" kind of introspection moment. Then adjust the list or the tasks. Most of the time it's the list, and I get smarter about knowing what I care about as a bonus.

-- JimBullock, 2004.09.13 (2004.090.15 - edits.)

Perhaps you really have achieved some major things that don't feature on your conscious radar. Such as having a meaningful chat, or respecting colleagues as people rather than work units.

-- HuwLloyd 2004.09.13

Sometimes though I just walk away from an entire to-do list for a while. It may be that you literally need to give yourself a break. You might consider consciously deciding to take a day or a few hours entirely for yourself, to do something restorative without having to feel guilty or frustrated about all the work you're not getting done. Spend a few hours in the bath with a schlocky book and a box of chocolates, or go to the zoo. Something that really appeals to you. It's another way to let your subconscious work on a problem set, and I usually find I can focus and be much more effective after a real break.

-- FionaCharles 14-Sep-2004

I read something in the past couple of years about to-do lists, accomplishing things, and sleeping at night (I cannot remember the book and I don't have my notes with me).

The conclusion was that if I can finish something today I will sleep better tonight. If I sleep better tonight, I will feel better physically and emotionally tomorrow and won't worry so much about my to-do list.

I tend to believe those ideas. I currently am working three jobs in my one job. I haven't been sleeping well the past six months. Johanna's initial post reminded me of what I had forgotten about sleep and to-do lists. Thanks Johanna.

What I am doing this week is concentrating on finishing something each day towards the end of the day. The something I finish doesn't have to be much, but as long as it is something tangible I feel much better.

My advice is to finish some little anything at the end of the day, congratulate yourself, enjoy your family, and sleep well.

DwaynePhillips 15 September 2004

Are all these todo items something you want to do?

What's preventing you from saying, "No." to new items rather than adding them to your "ever-growing todo list"?

What's preventing you from changing your mind and going back to the requestor and declining to do some of the items that are on the list?

I believe you know what actions to take. Give yourself permission to take those actions now before it gets worse.

SteveSmith 2004.09.15

I can't say I've remembered (or actively use) much of the Steven Covey time management course (First Things First I think it was called) I went on years ago, but the fish tank example always sticks in my mind. Apparently when Covey ran the course himself he unveiled an empty fish tank, a bag of large stones and some sand. He than asked people to fill the tank in whatever way they thought would use the largest amount of both stone and sand. Many people filled it with sand first then tried to cram in some rocks, but the most successful were people who tried the reverse. The "lesson" being that you should focus on the big rocks and the little stuff will fit in around it. Covey also has a grid of important versus urgent and suggests that you should focus on the important but not urgent to avoid getting into the firefighting school of time and task management. I try to have no more than 5 rocks on my todo list each week, and seem to get through most of the 5 in an average week.

PhilStubbington 2004.09.16

Hi Phil, Have you heard the extension to that exercise (tank, rocks, sand) that includes beer?

--DaveLiebreich 2004.09.16

The biggest change for me right now is this: It's ok if I don't meet my desired deadlines (as long as I meet the absolutely necessary deadlines). That's a new idea for me. I'm trying it out. We'll see how long that goes. I feel as if I'm violating a bunch of rules, so maybe I'll have processed it a bit more before the session I'm leading with Jerry about rule transformation. -- JohannaRothman 2004.09.20

And, as several of you said, adding things to my list, having good conversations with my kids, and preparing for when I can work are all accomplishments. My assessment of my productivity this week: not as high as I would have liked, but not bad, not bad at all. Now, back to the book. -- JohannaRothman 2006.08.24