- To
- Anyone currently making a to-do list
- From
- Keith, fourth floor
- Printed
- Tray 2, single-sided
- Re
- Making a to-do list
What to do instead of making a to-do list
A to-do list is a document recording the things you won't be doing today. People print theirs on me. Then they print them again the next day, with the same things on. I've started to recognise some of the items. I'm rooting for 'sort the loft'.
Five alternatives, in order of escalation. I printed them single-sided, as instructed. Work down from the top. Number five was HR's idea.
Five approved alternatives
- USEFUL-ISHSharpen three pencils to a uniform point, then hunt for a notebook worthy of them.
- RABBIT HOLEFind out how many tasks the average list carries over to the next day, and what the record is.
- TANGENTAlphabetise the tins in the cupboard by expiry date.…because order of priority.
- NEW LIFEBecome a railway station announcer, where every item is delayed and nobody blames the list.…because things to be ticked off.
- FULL ABSURDITYTeach the dog to sit beside the tick-box and look disappointed.…because accountability.
P.S. Three things, not thirty. I'm built for thirty. People aren't, and that's not a fault.
Also avoiding
- Instead of trying to stop procrastinatingDraft a procrastination-busting schedule and spend the morning formatting its headings.
- Instead of going to the gymLay out your gym kit, admire it and fold it back up.
- Instead of going for a runCharge the running watch. Fully. Watch the percentage.
- Instead of getting up earlySet seven backup alarms for tomorrow, each a slightly different shade of optimistic.