I am a list person. I create list’s for just about everything you can possibly think of.
- grocery list
- Christmas/birthday cards list
- deadlines list
- ‘to do’ list for home de junking
- thank you notes/nice to meet you notes list
- vacation/travel wish list
- ‘to do‘ today list
- personal goals list
- and the infamous ‘why haven’t you done this yet?!’ list
This is just a short sample of my ‘list’fulness. Often, when I begin to write, I let what needs to get done get away from me and add to my stress. No matter how many list’s I create – inevitably there are rogue ‘to dos’ that end up congregating on #9 of the list above.
Where is the that list you ask? . . . well, it’s buried at the bottom of a stack of papers in my home office that looks more like a group home for wayward paper and junk than a viable office.
Personally, I don’t care if I ever see that list again. It intimidates me, and gives me ice cream before bed kind of nightmares.
I have been trying to figure out a way to solve my perpetually growing list torture – only adding to my lists and my frustration. Finally, I believe I have found my answer.
While going through my office supplies yesterday, I found some interesting tape that has markings like a ruler. This tape has been
floating around for a few years – unopened until today. No doubt purchased for a project idea that was on one of my ‘list’s of no return’.
This morning I took 9 inches of that tape and applied it to my laptop as a reminder to accomplish 9 things everyday. By focusing on 9 things that truly need my attention TODAY, I am hopeful to accomplish more on a daily basis (one of my personal goals).
This new theory of productivity I dubbed ‘9 inches to success’.
This tag is a straight forward description of the visual reminder right?! Well, a friend of mine said that it sounds more like a ‘how to’ for an adult film star . . . not a PR/Marketing geek’s list tamer theory . . . perv. I chose not to listen to him, seeing as the last list he made was for Thanksgiving dinner 2 years ago, which he admits he left at home.
Now, for practical application.
1. Blog about it. Check / 1″
