How do I manage my to-do lists?
This is the most common question I get about time management. We over-emphasize the importance of juggling to-do lists. Sure - make lists of actions that need to be done but usually the actions come from very surface-level thinking.
Of course, we need to jot down reminders at times. We don’t want to forget to Call Bill or pick up pearl onions for that scrumptious recipe you want to make this weekend. In the past, when I made a lot of to-do lists, when I did have time to take action on them, I usually found they weren’t worth doing. Situations change.
Here are five strategies that are better than making to-do lists:
1. Around the World Exercise
Sit in silence for 15 seconds to clear your mind. Go one by one through all of the roles you play. We all juggle between 15-20 roles in our lives - all the hats we wear. Focus on each one and observe what comes up for where you want to go in that role. What needs to change? What’s a trend within that role. What’s a routine you could refine to make progress on that role? Your mind will tell you the big answers if you quiet down for a minute!
2. Ask Quality Questions
Instead of action lists, brainstorm excellent questions for all areas of your life.
Examples:
Who could be my mentor? What are resources I have access to that I’m not using? How can I streamline my busy life? What routines should I start? What are some streaks I want to start?
3. Use Audio
Each day, listen to a recording of yourself reading your mini-mission statements for all of the roles you play.
Example:
I’m a spiritual person & meditator. Transcendental meditation brings beautiful depth to my life. When I’m deep within silence, I catch BIG FISH ideas. I experience bliss whenever I want. Meditation helps me find my center and gets me in the zone for the rest of the day. Being a spiritual person and lifelong meditator helps me share my SOUL with a world that desperately needs it. This is my magic reset button role.
I have an attractive, lean, & strong body. I’m in the best shape of my life. I love looking great in pictures. I act with discipline and exert will power every day. I practice mindful breathing and eat reasonable portions of nutritious food. I breathe fully and drink plenty of water. I need all the vitality I can get to live my purpose and strive towards my vision every day. This is my fuel tank role.
I’m a visionary. Creativity is my greatest gift. I think big every day & constantly absorb new insights and apply them. I’m a lookout tower and lightning rod. I’m a voracious reader and unstoppable force for good. My crystal clear goals keep me on track for achieving my juiciest dreams. This role is my Willy Wonka engine role that drives everything good in my life.
I’m a wealth builder. My abundance is the spark for all of my other roles. Money brings speed and choices. Each disciplined action I take compounds over time. I’m a millionaire. My vibrant relationship with money is a model for my sons - they are learning the mindset they need to have abundance in their lives. This is my abundance role.
I’m a giver. I’m a philanthropist in training. I constantly plant seeds for the future. I give time, money, and resources to worthy causes I’m passionate about. Giving is a habit. Therefore, my sons are becoming lifelong givers. Milton Hershey and Bill Gates are my models for living a generous and wonderful life. This is my legacy role.
I’m a Dad: I’m caring, supportive, & strong for Chris & Dylan. I’m immensely thankful for them and live with gratitude. I’m in-the-moment. I’m consistent, fair, and always tell them the truth. This is my unconditional love role.
I’m a backgammon player. I love deepening my skills and appreciation for this classic game. Backgammon is a perfect fit for me. It involves skill, luck, and gambling. It’s an elegant and sophisticated game. I enjoy playing on my phone, with the kids, at the campground, or by the pool with friends. I’m a happy hobbyist. My passions, hobbies, & interests make my life colorful and keep me smiling. I also love: Ani, Ozzy, Metallica, heavy metal, B movies, horror movies, Jaws, coffee, mixology, WWII history, chess, special forces stuff, the Navy Seals, the secret service, luxury, cooking, reading, parenting, martinis, and journaling. This is my fun role.
I’m a chef. When I’m cooking a new recipe or an old tried-and-true one, I get into the zone. I experience a mix of physical and emotional well-being. I get into my flow state. Cooking is my connection with culture and sophistication. I love managing many things simmering at the same time. I enjoy a craft beer and listen to Van Halen or music whatever fits my mood. This is my flow role.
I’m a movie buff. Watching bad movies is one of my favorite things in life. Throughout the day, I consider which movie I’ll watch that night. Movies are my reward for making progress in all of my roles each day. Great movies connect me with friends and family. This is my reward role.
I’m a joker. My fascination with everything Joker over the years inspires me to be more playful and allow my sense of humor to come through. I’m attracted to the idea of someone who is highly intelligent yet devious. I like rooting for the villain. I’m interested in chaos and anarchy. Thinking like the Joker helps me see a new perspective to any challenge. I love the idea of a grand plan.This is my risk role.
I’m a writer. Being a lifelong journaler is the spark plug for my creativity. I consider creativity my greatest strength. Nobody can take it away from me. My creativity gives me courage to be at my most confident for my tribe and humankind. I’m passionate about improving my writing ability. Writing slows me down so I can savor good feelings. Reading strengthens my writing. This is my craftsmanship role.
I’m a professional speaker. Speaking is the perfect vehicle for me to express my authenticity. It’s a role that’s helped me find myself - then package it for others. Speaking is a challenge that feels right. I practice and expand my skills so I can speak with an engaging rhythm and use carefully selected imagery to move my audiences. This is my authenticity role.
I’m an entrepreneur. I’m the founder of Scott Snow Speaks workshops and seminars and All the Hats We Wear Coaching and have other innovative and mission-driven companies in development. I’m a business student - always refining my mechanics and strategies for running a profitable business. I rely on mentors and role models to deepen my Warren Buffet-like business mastery. This is my life’s contribution role.
I’m a sales professional with swag. I’m committed to practicing and perfecting the skills of selling. Grant Cardone has prepared me for every selling challenge. I focus first on being of service and always show prospects and customers that I’m hungry for their business. This is my role for being of service.
I’m a professional life coach and executive coach. I’m the most exclusive and sought-after productivity coach on the east coast. I’m booked solid months in advance because of word-of-mouth referrals. I coach powerful individuals who are ready to become fully expressed in their lives. My Think Like a Musician curriculum is my clients’ lifeline. I empower my clients by teaching them the time management skills they need to be joyful productive, and fulfilled in all areas of life. This is my secret weapon role.
I’m a social media contributor. I focus on being of service to my others. I am self-less. I contribute and add to conversations and give a boost to all I come in contact with. I build upon and add to what others are doing. I love being part of other people’s tribes and love leading a tribe of my own. This is my connection role.
I’m a productivity expert. I’ve dedicated my life to becoming as informed and knowledgeable as humanly possible in all areas of productivity. I have my finger on the pulse my industry and make innovative connections with industries outside my expertise as well. My authenticity shines through because I’m in complete alignment because my goals, values, actions, & mission are in sync. This is my alignment role.
I’m a music therapist. I focus my passion for music to enrich the lives of others. My private practice is proof that I can build a profitable business. I play guitar, sing, and play drums. Music connects every stage of my life. Music therapy is the launchpad to the badass productivity business I’m growing now. Music has taught me everything I know about humility, beauty, structure, and performance. This is my passion role.
4. Silence the Voices in Your Head
Have you noticed how pervasive your inner thoughts can be to being productive and getting things done? Stop it! If you have a list of actions, notice when you start to whine about doing them in your head. Your inner voices are gumming up efficiency.
Here’s an exercise to help. It’s the towel folding exercise. Grab a basket of clean towels and begin folding them. Focus on getting into a steady flow of action. If you catch yourself having an opinion about which towel to pick up next - start over! No opinions allowed - not even for a millisecond! Now apply this same attitude to tidying up your desk. Next, apply it to an hour of getting things done and keep expanding the time and breadth of the work session.
5. Embrace the Magic Spiral
All day you’re spiraling in and out between detail and bigger picture thinking. You don’t have to get a tangible result from every action! If you’re creatively blocked, you probably need to shift gears into finer detail work or pan out to a bigger picture lens. Most of us don’t utilize the awesome power of our minds. You can only access your wonderful mind’s capacity by slipping deeper into thought. We exist in complete turmoil and noise most of the day. Stop!
Here are some simply deep thinking techniques that force you to access deeper resources within your mind:
brainstorm, center, connect, consider, decide, intuition, meditation, strategize, question, plan, prioritize, and envision.
So, let’s move beyond those silly to-do lists and start thinking big. If you’d like help, give me call and I can show you how to apply these techniques to your crazy, busy life so you can become more joyful, productive, and fulfilled in all areas of life. I offer workshops and trainings in the areas of work life balance, productivity, and creativity.
Scott Snow is a productivity expert, speaker, podcaster, and life coach. He is the founder of Think Like a Musician, whose purpose is to help you learn the time management skills you need to be joyful, productive, & fulfilled in all areas of life.
He teaches a unique and innovative approach to managing your crazy, busy life. It's a musician's approach to time management and work-life balance. Call 774-230-3928 now to customize a training for your organization or to inquire about coaching availability.