In the ZTD system, the third step is to "Plan." By that Babuta suggests determining the major things that need to be done at the beginning of the week, and then the major things that need to be done each day, and then doing them.
If step two, "Process" was difficult (and boy, was it ever) then this one might just be worse. Getting through all the emails that accumulate over the weekend could take up a chunk of my Monday mornings. Adding to that a moment to determine goals for the week is just one more thing.
But it does give me the chance to look farther ahead than just the next day. A too-close event horizon is a constant problem in terms of administrating things here.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Zen to Done: the second step
I'm into my second month of working on the steps to productivity outlined in Zen to Done, and the second one is a doozy: Process. Basically the idea is that you deal with every email in your inbox daily. Everything.
I don't email a lot, but I get a lot of emails. Some of it is junk, some of it is just information about upcoming meetings, and some of it is requests for information. But this step, unlike the first one, takes time. I could spend easily the better part of an hour. But I also understand that letting things fester in my inbox, or worse just ignoring them has caused a lot of problems over the years, so this is one of those steps that probably will have a sizable impact.
But, since it is also so difficult, I've already given myself my first incentive prize for suriving the first week on the discipline: the "Food Market" cardstock building pdf from Stoelzel's Structures.
Now, I got to finish this post and go process emails.
I don't email a lot, but I get a lot of emails. Some of it is junk, some of it is just information about upcoming meetings, and some of it is requests for information. But this step, unlike the first one, takes time. I could spend easily the better part of an hour. But I also understand that letting things fester in my inbox, or worse just ignoring them has caused a lot of problems over the years, so this is one of those steps that probably will have a sizable impact.
But, since it is also so difficult, I've already given myself my first incentive prize for suriving the first week on the discipline: the "Food Market" cardstock building pdf from Stoelzel's Structures.
Now, I got to finish this post and go process emails.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Zen to Done: finishing the first month
Having now kept to Leo Babauta's ten-step plan to great productivity for the better part of the month, I'm feeling very good about the process. The first step was "Collect," which for me entailed carrying a small (3" by 4") Moleskin notebook with me everywhere. I'd write down quick notes, then try to follow up with them (that's more step 2).
What's pretty remarkable is how much I realized later I wasn't remembering. I'd write things down, then an hour or two later at my desk look at the notebook and go "oh yeah, I need to do that." That means that, prior to having a consist write-it-down plan, there's a good chance that those things just didn't get done. In many ways, that is sort of scary to think about, when you realize that there is, in all likelihood, a lot of things out there you didn't do that you meant to, but you'll never know because you don't remember them.
January: Step two!
What's pretty remarkable is how much I realized later I wasn't remembering. I'd write things down, then an hour or two later at my desk look at the notebook and go "oh yeah, I need to do that." That means that, prior to having a consist write-it-down plan, there's a good chance that those things just didn't get done. In many ways, that is sort of scary to think about, when you realize that there is, in all likelihood, a lot of things out there you didn't do that you meant to, but you'll never know because you don't remember them.
January: Step two!
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Zen to Done, the first step
Well, I haven't posted on this blog for almost two years. The reason? I have three other blogs: a miniatures/wargaming one, a RPG-themed one, and a zombie blog of all things. I didn't need or particularly want one featuring my personal life.
But, I'm doing this productivity thing right now, using the book Zen to Done by Leo Babuta. It features ten habits to increasing productivity, and you are supposed to tackle one step every month.
Habit one is Collect, meaning you write things down in a small notebook as they come to you, then when you return to your workspace tackle those items as quickly as possible. So yesterday I went to my favorite local book store and purchased several books and a small moleskine notebook. The bookstore has a program where you get punches on a card with each $10 you spend, then you get $10 off your purchase once the card is filled. As it turns out, my purchases got me the discount, so the notebook was only a couple of dollars. Excellent!
Now for some motivation. I think I will go with a one week, two week, and one month for each habit, probably in the $5, $10, and $30 range. I don't know what those will be like yet, but we will have to see.
Speaking of which, I will also be documenting my progress here, as an additional motivation. Wish me luck!
But, I'm doing this productivity thing right now, using the book Zen to Done by Leo Babuta. It features ten habits to increasing productivity, and you are supposed to tackle one step every month.
Habit one is Collect, meaning you write things down in a small notebook as they come to you, then when you return to your workspace tackle those items as quickly as possible. So yesterday I went to my favorite local book store and purchased several books and a small moleskine notebook. The bookstore has a program where you get punches on a card with each $10 you spend, then you get $10 off your purchase once the card is filled. As it turns out, my purchases got me the discount, so the notebook was only a couple of dollars. Excellent!
Now for some motivation. I think I will go with a one week, two week, and one month for each habit, probably in the $5, $10, and $30 range. I don't know what those will be like yet, but we will have to see.
Speaking of which, I will also be documenting my progress here, as an additional motivation. Wish me luck!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, August 20, 2010
This is not a wargaming blog
This is my not-wargaming stuff blog. Please remove from http://wargamesblogs.blogspot.com/
Saturday, August 14, 2010
The slow process of going through everything
I'm taking a little break from packing to write this entry. I'm moving in one week, but because my family will not be moving for several more weeks after that, I am focusing on getting my stuff into boxes so my wife doesn't have to try to guess what I want and what I don't.
Going through eight years of personal possessions, I have realized what a lot of random stuff I have. One box of 40K ork boyz. Two bags of Old Glory pirates. I think I must have undiagnosed ADD, although my grades were pretty good in school, truth be told. I can remember buying the ork boyz after a bad hospital experience ten years ago. Four look to be painted, and that's it. With my financial pinch of selling a house while living in another, and the awareness of having, at least for a short time, a pretty solitary gaming environs, I am thinking that rather than come up with some grand project I may just putter about and get the lead/plastic pile down a bit. Maybe even sell the stuff once it is painted.
Just to keep me busy.
Going through eight years of personal possessions, I have realized what a lot of random stuff I have. One box of 40K ork boyz. Two bags of Old Glory pirates. I think I must have undiagnosed ADD, although my grades were pretty good in school, truth be told. I can remember buying the ork boyz after a bad hospital experience ten years ago. Four look to be painted, and that's it. With my financial pinch of selling a house while living in another, and the awareness of having, at least for a short time, a pretty solitary gaming environs, I am thinking that rather than come up with some grand project I may just putter about and get the lead/plastic pile down a bit. Maybe even sell the stuff once it is painted.
Just to keep me busy.
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