Discussion Forum > Follow Up Response
<<There are many more system searchers than folks posting>>
I'd be willing to wager that most people bet by with a simple to-do list.
I'd be willing to wager that most people bet by with a simple to-do list.
November 9, 2011 at 15:55 |
avrum
avrum
Gerry:
<< I see the Coach Neill thread is locked >>
I always lock threads when they approach 50 posts, otherwise they become difficult to manage. It's not intended to bring the discussion to an end.
<< There are many more system searchers than folks posting that they are happily on their nth year of their system. >>
That's hardly evidence. This posters on this forum are self-selected to be searchers. There's only about 30 regular posters anyway, compared with the 20,000 plus individuals who visit this site every month.
<< I see the Coach Neill thread is locked >>
I always lock threads when they approach 50 posts, otherwise they become difficult to manage. It's not intended to bring the discussion to an end.
<< There are many more system searchers than folks posting that they are happily on their nth year of their system. >>
That's hardly evidence. This posters on this forum are self-selected to be searchers. There's only about 30 regular posters anyway, compared with the 20,000 plus individuals who visit this site every month.
November 9, 2011 at 16:39 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
avrum:
<< I'd be willing to wager that most people get by with a simple to-do list. >>
And I'd be willing to agree with you. That's why anyone who is using a system which is better than a simple to do list has a competitive advantage.
<< I'd be willing to wager that most people get by with a simple to-do list. >>
And I'd be willing to agree with you. That's why anyone who is using a system which is better than a simple to do list has a competitive advantage.
November 9, 2011 at 16:41 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I actually think the majority of people have no "formal" system. I have been observing people in the work place for over 25 years and many don't look like they follow any method. I see people all the time who write on a post it, then a note pad, then something else. The most productive place I worked had in the supply cabinet tons of spiral notebooks which everyone form the top down used and carried around. Although there never was a formal training as to how to use them or a method dispensed, I noticed that compared to other firms where the supply cabinet had legal pads and post its, the people were much more productive. I am not sure it can all be attributed to this, but there may be a connection.
Gerry
Gerry
November 9, 2011 at 18:24 |
Gerry
Gerry
Trish:<<Then, for me, there is that thing that sets in and I can't face my lists. NOTHING stands out, or there is a mountain of work crushing down on me that I have to get done.>>
Don't you need to put some relaxation tasks in? eg "follow mark's idea of 45 mins work 15 mions break" or "take 10 minute break" or "use creative intuition to move state from overwhelmed to peace" eg via http://www.nlpconnections.com/forum/15209-how-do-you-manage-your-emotional-states.html
Change the metaphor from mountain to ski-slope?
Don't you need to put some relaxation tasks in? eg "follow mark's idea of 45 mins work 15 mions break" or "take 10 minute break" or "use creative intuition to move state from overwhelmed to peace" eg via http://www.nlpconnections.com/forum/15209-how-do-you-manage-your-emotional-states.html
Change the metaphor from mountain to ski-slope?
November 9, 2011 at 18:25 |
michael
michael
One of the more difficult things for me is when I have about 3 large things pressing for my time at once. Working through a system is very hard knowing whatever I pick is ignoring stuff I didn't pick. Not working through a system is even harder, knowing whatever I pick is ignoring various indefinite things I can't think of but some of them are important. Two remedies work for me: Thinking through all my commitments and arriving at clarity, and working little/often on a restricted list of tasks ultimately settling on one or two of the biggies.
As soon as I can get past the pressure, I'm able to work faster and better again.
As soon as I can get past the pressure, I'm able to work faster and better again.
November 9, 2011 at 22:12 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
I finished four days of this system. I started with a about a page and a half (using the back). It was a mix of outcomes and tasks.
I quickly filled more than a page and realized to stick to a page, I would either need to write smaller or rewrite the page pretty frequently. As I use this system, I am finding, I can think and write more in terms of outcomes as opposed to tasks. By reminding myself the outcomes I am after, the actions and tasks naturally fall into place.
It may be a good exercise to rewrite the page as a sort of pruning exercise. Normally, I don't like lots of rewriting as I find it a waste of time
I think I will stick with this another week. On the plus side, it is actually refreshing to look at a single sheet of paper and see all of the results you are looking accomplish. As a manager, it seems more intuitive than a long list of tasks, as I am finding it easier to delegate and follow up with people using outcomes as opposed to tasks. This is in essence a simple way to apply the principals of the goal system I developed applied to TM.
Gerry
I quickly filled more than a page and realized to stick to a page, I would either need to write smaller or rewrite the page pretty frequently. As I use this system, I am finding, I can think and write more in terms of outcomes as opposed to tasks. By reminding myself the outcomes I am after, the actions and tasks naturally fall into place.
It may be a good exercise to rewrite the page as a sort of pruning exercise. Normally, I don't like lots of rewriting as I find it a waste of time
I think I will stick with this another week. On the plus side, it is actually refreshing to look at a single sheet of paper and see all of the results you are looking accomplish. As a manager, it seems more intuitive than a long list of tasks, as I am finding it easier to delegate and follow up with people using outcomes as opposed to tasks. This is in essence a simple way to apply the principals of the goal system I developed applied to TM.
Gerry
November 11, 2011 at 21:15 |
Gerry
Gerry
Took me 5 minutes to figure out what system you meant. It's http://www.markforster.net/forum/post/1640704 (first post) I presume.
November 11, 2011 at 21:59 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
Alan,
Yes, sorry I did not clarify that.
Gerry
Yes, sorry I did not clarify that.
Gerry
November 12, 2011 at 19:24 |
Gerry
Gerry
Hi Gerry,
interesting feedback you give. I wonder if it would be worth changing the phrases..."The only result (or outcome) I want today is..." and "Results (or outcomes) I would like over the next week or so". Or may be you have some suggestions?
interesting feedback you give. I wonder if it would be worth changing the phrases..."The only result (or outcome) I want today is..." and "Results (or outcomes) I would like over the next week or so". Or may be you have some suggestions?
November 12, 2011 at 20:48 |
leon
leon
leon:<<"Results (or outcomes) I would like...>>
Perfect day recipe?:
Personally I'm currently adding more "inner" outcomes as results I want. So productivity -yes, but also pleasure - yes, happiness -yes and peace of mind-yes. so the "action" of taking time to be calm and feel what should be done next is the important state to take action from. Inner state first. Action second.
I also aim for a balance between motivation (rewards) and inspiration from deeper within. To that end I'm practicing deliberately handing over issue to my unconscious as suggested in the "59 seconds" book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/59-Seconds-Think-little-change/dp/023074429X). So another outcome is "timing" management - the right thing done at the right moment. All very Zen. Which is excellent, in my opinion.
Like this? http://zenhabits.net/17-unbeatable-ways-to-create-a-peaceful-relaxed-workday/
Perfect day recipe?:
Personally I'm currently adding more "inner" outcomes as results I want. So productivity -yes, but also pleasure - yes, happiness -yes and peace of mind-yes. so the "action" of taking time to be calm and feel what should be done next is the important state to take action from. Inner state first. Action second.
I also aim for a balance between motivation (rewards) and inspiration from deeper within. To that end I'm practicing deliberately handing over issue to my unconscious as suggested in the "59 seconds" book (http://www.amazon.co.uk/59-Seconds-Think-little-change/dp/023074429X). So another outcome is "timing" management - the right thing done at the right moment. All very Zen. Which is excellent, in my opinion.
Like this? http://zenhabits.net/17-unbeatable-ways-to-create-a-peaceful-relaxed-workday/
November 13, 2011 at 15:47 |
michael
michael
<<The most productive place I worked had in the supply cabinet tons of spiral notebooks... other firms ... legal pads and post-its>>
Thought: are spiral notebooks more productive than legal pads? I could believe that.
Thought: are spiral notebooks more productive than legal pads? I could believe that.
November 14, 2011 at 12:38 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
I actually think there is a connection and it helped me develop the rule of writing in one place. With legal pads they tend to get messier as time goes on and since they don't have a cover it makes it more difficult to to keep pages on. If one has the discipline to use a legal pad and constantly remove pages either to toss or file, they can be a great tool. Otherwise, I think it is best to keep it all in one place and when the spiral is full, just simply review it quickly for anything that needs to be filed and toss it.
Gerry
Gerry
November 14, 2011 at 15:55 |
Gerry
Gerry
You need better quality pads if the pages are falling off! But it's definitely less convenient to flip through a pad than a notebook.
November 14, 2011 at 17:39 |
Alan Baljeu
Alan Baljeu
<< Yes, but many spend time "trying" to improve systems and not actually improving them or working on systems and then abandoning them. >>
I'd be interested to know what your evidence is for this.
The evidence is simply time management forums like this one where we constantly see people jumping from system to system and tweaking systems and them abandoning systems for the supposed newer better systems. There are many more system searchers than folks posting that they are happily on their nth year of their system. I am not being judgmental, as I have frequently been in this group.
Gerry