[Just now joining us? Be sure to start at the beginning!]
Yesterday I explained the concept of psychic RAM. “All well and good,” you’re probably thinking. “But where do I start?” Good question.
I suggest you start with the things that are the most urgent…things that you need to remember now. Be sure to include things you are waiting on other people for and things you need to delegate…write down anything that you feel responsibility or concern for. Here’s where I started:
- Decide on how to present MMLC’s photo gallery
- Follow up with Carol about FAQs list
- Follow up with Lynn on the site design that I sent Friday
- Finish coding Jocelyn’s main page
- Post Craigslist ad
- Start emailing school districts for Teacher of the Year lists
- Write tomorrow’s blog entry
- Go to optometrist to get receipt
- Do finances/finish paying the bills for the month
- Direct Nolan to clean the playroom
- Do laundry
- Edit newsletter for Back to Him Adoption Ministries
Looks like your typical to-do list, right? It’s a good start, but it certainly doesn’t encompass everything that my brain needs to remember to do. Let’s try something different to spur our brains into spilling this stuff. How about listing all the Things I Keep Procrastinating On? Sounds good.
- Clean old leftovers out of refrigerator
- Clean old stuff out of the pantry
- Clean out my embarrassingly messy car
- Clean out my horrifyingly messy purse (hey, I’m sensing a pattern here)
- Finish secret sewing project (can’t post about it yet…it’s a surprise!)
- Finish writing the rest of Lilah’s thank you cards
- Cut Nolan’s hair
We’re making some headway here…I feel better already. Now what about those things that you have to do every day? You cross them off just to put them right back on. Here we go:
- Shower and get dressed (with two kids, I have to remind myself to do this!)
- Do the dishes
- Practice the piano
- Read/comment on my favorite blogs (yes, even include things you like to do)
- Wipe down the counter tops
- Take out the trash/recycling
- Make dinner
- Read the paper
What about things lurking in my email and on various calendars and pieces of paper?
- Reply to JoeAnn
- Write thank you card to the kids’ grandparents and great-grandma
- Decide on a theme for Nolan’s birthday party
- Decide if we are going out of town for Easter
- Post discussion questions for my group
- Put Devon’s jewelry show on calendar
- Order Lynn’s hosting package and domain name
I think you get the idea. Go ahead and make your list as complete as possible. We will continue digging around over the next day or so to make sure that you’ve got everything. And I can’t stress this enough…getting every single thing down is the key to making this work. You have to be able to completely trust this system that you’re creating, or your brain will keep processing all of your “stuff” in an effort to keep from forgetting.
Stumble it!
Whew! I’m glad you are giving us a few days to do this list thing.
I have a secret sewing project too-I’m eager to swap pictures with you! I just have to bust out the darn camera…(another thing to add to the list) 
Haha…yep, it’s definitely a process, but it’s worth it! And good luck on that secret sewing project. My camera is driving me nuts, so it might take me a bit to get pictures of mine. Oh, and happy early birthday!!!
I just found this article on your blog today, and girlfriend, I thought I was busy! woof, you are packed! I try to make meditation a priority in the morning for me, it helps me sort out my priority list and also another list which I call it the dream list (new projects ideas, new clients, more money;) especially for the creative, this has worked for me. I know it maybe hard to meditate with kids around in the morning, but maybe before you go to bed at night for 5 minutes, this may help to reduce stress and get you in balance.
Haha…yep, I do keep busy, don’t I? Strangely, it’s all for a purpose…to someday NOT have to keep busy! Ironic, isn’t it?