Comments on: From Shelf-Help to Self-Help

By: Ian Brodie | Professional Services Consultant

Ian Brodie | Professional Services Consultant — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 02:11:42 +0000

I’m only just emerging from this phase myself. I agree with Colin – I think most people have to go through this phase of feeling you need to know everything before realising that it’s the application of (perhaps imperfect) knowledge that drives success.

There will always be something slightly better coming down the track – but a B grade plan with an A grade implementation is infinitely better than an A grade plan with a B grade implementation.

Ian

By: John

John — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:30:30 +0000

I’ve created an “Accomplishment Log”. It’s a Word doc with the date and a list of bullet points of everything I got done that day.

I open it up, look at it, and if there aren’t five bullet points of things I’ve actually DONE today, then I get cracking. For some strange reason, I tend to forget all my accomplishments, so reminding myself of what I’ve done so far keeps me going.

By: Ryan M. Healy

Ryan M. Healy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 04:21:46 +0000

@John – I agree. Saying no is harder than it sounds. I’ve been trying to strengthen my “no” muscles for the last year.

By: John Thomas

John Thomas — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:01:26 +0000

I find the hardest part is simply being able to say “no.”

No to more information when I haven’t digested what I already have on my plate.

No to something else to read or do when I’m already fully committed.

No to distractions that keep me from being productive.

But I’m getting better. :-)

By: Ryan M. Healy

Ryan M. Healy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:29:41 +0000

@Perry – I’m the same way. I (almost) never finish a list before writing a new one. And if any items are no longer relevant, I drop them.

@Tony – I find it’s helpful to mark those items on the list that have to be done TODAY. Helps to avoid getting overwhelmed.

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:35:38 +0000

I’m a to-do list king, but the only time I make progress is when I choose 2 or 3 items to tackle each day.

I find a long to-do list is a great way to capture stuff, but a crap way to achieve stuff.

Crossing off items on the to-do list is hugely rewarding!

By: Perry

Perry — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:48:56 +0000

Although to-do lists are less than perfect, at least they give some direction. I never finish my list before I write another one.

If I determine the unfinished items on the old list don’t really matter, they don’t make the new list.

By: Ryan M. Healy

Ryan M. Healy — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:41:33 +0000

@Jeremy – Sounds like you’re ahead of the game. Nice work!

By: Jeremy Reeves

Jeremy Reeves — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 01:38:49 +0000

I’m sure this post sits hard with a lot of people who will be trying to deny they have this problem lol.

I’m about 1/2 way there. I have a lot of “unread” stuff (about 6 books, a few CD’s and a couple DVD’s)….but I always like to have more than I need so I never run out because I educate myself for at least an hour every single day.

I like the idea of making a to-do list though, I’ll have to try that out.

Jeremy Reeves
http://www.controlbeatingcopy.com

By: Ryan M. Healy

Ryan M. Healy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:55:35 +0000

@Colin – Thank you for your comment. Being strategic is important. I’m not suggesting we should just do stuff because there is stuff to be done.

That’s why I said to consume “targeted information” — information that is relevant to what you’re trying to accomplish.

Jumping on one “opportunity” after another is a good recipe for going nowhere fast.