Welcome

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Enjoy, and take it easy

Katy

Highlights

Choring!

I'll get around to it later...

1. Make a list - seeing things slowly getting crossed off it motivation in itself
   
   
2. Do what you feel in the mood for but do something - Allen talks about choosing "Next Actions" from contexts that fit not only the circumstances and time available but also our energy levels. There's no point trying to mow the lawn if you're struggling to get out of your chair, but you might be able to sit down and do a bit of ironing.
   
   
3. Break up large tasks into smaller, more manageable ones - Instead of "Clean the bathroom", break it up into "Clean the shower", "Clean the toilet" etc. Then it won't seem so horrendous.
   
   
4. If it'll take less than 2 minutes just get on with it! By the time you've agonised over why you're not doing the chore you could have got it done!
   
   
5. Set a time limit - Give yourself an hour to clean the kitchen, when the hour's up reward yourself with a break or if you're that motivated move on to another task!
   
   
6. Change the way you talk - Instead of saying "I really should...", "I have to...", either do it there and then or write it down on your task list. That way it won't be niggling you in the back of your mind.
   
   
7. Be F.A.T - When you get letters, junk etc. in, don't just toss them in the corner to sort out later File, Action, Throw.
   
   
8. Take a timeout - David Allen prefers a "Weekly review" but take 15 minutes at the end of your day to go through your task list and add anything else you're missing. I find this is a brilliant way of clearing my mind before I go to bed and I really do sleep better.
   
   
9. Stop clock watching - time will only go slower anyway. I take off my watch at work and hide it, I hide my taskbar so I can't see the clock in the system tray. If you find yourself clock watching then you'll find an excuse to put something off.
   
   
10. Reward yourself - give yourself a pat on the back or a treat for every task you cross off. One way you could achieve this is to put a pound (or dollar) in a jar for each task completed. At the end of the week you can take yourself out for a nice treat, hooray!

Well, thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed this issue, and if you have, please feel free to pass it on to your friends and colleagues.

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