Monday
Jan232012
Another mental strength exercise
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 19:44 I gave one suggested exercise in my post yesterday about Exercising the Choice Muscle, and there are several more suggestions from readers in the Comments.
Here’s one exercise which I don’t think anyone else has come up with yet, though it’s very simple and straightforward.
Write a list of five random tasks
Do them in the order in which they are written down
Then write another list, adding one more task, i.e. six
Repeat regularly adding one more to the total tasks on the list each time
You may not do any other tasks while doing this exercise. If you fail to complete the tasks or do them in the wrong order, then next time reduce the number of tasks until you do succeed in doing them.
Reader Comments (19)
I mean "finish the task according to how I have defined 'finish' for that particular task".
Remember this is intended to be an exercise, not a time management system!
<<Remember this is intended to be an exercise, not a time management system! >>
Er, but what if this were a rule. I really like this idea.
1. Choose one 3 x 5 index cards, put today's date on the top of card.
2. Using a ladder - http://www.marklauren.com/20-minute-workouts-details.html - (a variation of Mark's exercise) write one task down on the lined side of the index card. Complete the task. Then write two tasks. And so on.
3. Random thoughts, extra tasks, "waiting for" items, etc, go on the back of the non-lined side of the index card
4. At the end of the day, make a note of the highest ladder I was able to conquer (log info in Joe's Goals).
5. Punch the cards and insert them into my M Arc Junior - http://anationofmoms.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/step1_image_a.jpg - notebook.
Finally, if you get this far, you'll find that preselecting so many tasks will lock you into that selection well beyond where it remains appropriate to continue. Urgent tasks, interruptions, context shifts will all get in your way.
This means you can experiment to find how far you can reasonably go. Once you hit the limit, I think the next level is to iterate. If 8 is the limit: Pick 8 tasks and do all. Then pick another 8 and do them all. See how many 8's you can do.
I would hypothesize this is a viable system:
Record as in AutoFocus. As you do stuff, write new stuff, or reentered stuff here.
Pick a number.
On a separate card, write that many tasks, mixing things you think up and things copied from a current AF page.
Do all tasks on the card in order.
If you fail, repeat process with the same or smaller number.
If you succeed, repeat with same or higher number.
There are times when 1 is the best number to pick.
<<it seems to me you may forget things>>
I don't think so. So long as I capture everything (on the back of the same index card I'm working from), then everything is one in place.
<<23 consecutive tasks>>
Following the ladder methodology (above), I'd be amazed if I reach beyond 7 - 8 tasks at a time.
<<I would hypothesize this is a viable system>>
If successful (we'll see i a few days), this approach might be more than viable. We'll see.
<<There are times when 1 is the best number to pick>>
One task at a time would strengthen a different muscle. I'm looking to run with Mark's idea, which would touch on mindfulness, mind training, focus and other goodness.
Again, this is all hypothetical. I'll report my results shortly.
Please don't forget that this is supposed to be an _exercise_. You are leaping into complicating it before you have even had a proper go at it. I only posted it yesterday for goodness sake.
It's not my fault if you hit gold.
I'm interested in feedback on the exercise as written by me, yes.
I've been exercising my choice muscle since yesterday morning. It's a great concept! I have completed 4 list cycles in total. The list varied in length from 5 tasks down to 2 tasks and then back up again.
I've found it to be a very innovative and exciting exercise! It is very, very clever and I would love to be able to understand the thinking behind it.
I've been particularly impressed by how I've managed to sustain my focus on tougher tasks, getting them completed. I've also found it easier to take breaks and relax a bit between list cyles without feeling guilty. The 'gamification' aspect is also so addictive!
An added bonus is that I have listed scheduled events e.g. Client appointments, putting my children to bed etc. This has somehow helped me to really focus on these events rather than stressing over a long list of tasks that I am not engaged with.
Although this of course is simply an exercise I am going to continue using it for now on blank A5 index cards along with my weekly diary & my Outlook tasks for my reminders.
"I've found it to be a very innovative and exciting exercise!"
I agree. I'm on day 4 and still using a version of Mark's rules to deal with my discretionary time. Some issues that I have encountered:
1. There's a tendency to repeat the same, time-wasting tasks
2. Similar to #1, it is easy to bypass projects/tasks if they're not pressing on your mind (this could be easily solved with a "pull tasks from master list" task
3. Geek that I am, I've designed a couple of pages to work with this exercise. To date, I have not been successful
I'm going to continue working this way and see if I can make it to day 7.
Good to hear your feedback. I think I will aim for 7 days too. Which would be an achievement for me as I'm switching 'systems' every few days!
<2. Similar to #1, it is easy to bypass projects/tasks if they're not pressing on your mind (this could be easily solved with a "pull tasks from master list" task>
I can see what you mean here. Maybe a project list, or even a commitments type list may help. I actually find problem lists useful although I know they can maybe feel a little negative. But there again I loathe the idea of adding complexity...Maybe Mark's already got this all sewn up anyway!
Mark - people are tweaking, creating, debunking and reworking your systems all the time. I really don't understand your reaction to my treatment of this exercise. Out of respect for you (and your work) I will no longer post comments about this exercise.
The gist: This is Mark's space, and out of respect for his work, I will no longer comment on this exercise.
<< Mark - people are tweaking, creating, debunking and reworking your systems all the time. I really don't understand your reaction to my treatment of this exercise. >>
It's not personally directed at you.
I get upset,or perhaps frustrated would be a better word, when people don't even try out what I have written but immediately invent their own variation. Their variation may be better or it may be worse, but it means that I get no feedback on the exercise/system.
If you look back at my comments over the years, you will see that I am constantly making the point that people should give my systems/exercises a fair trial as they are written, and only then vary them. Unfortunately what I say is just as constantly ignored.