3 Keys to a Much Needed Success List (Post #33)

"Keep in mind that the most important task isn’t solely determined by its assigned due date.  Rather, your personal success must be factored in the decision."

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Okay, so here’s my confession moment.  I’m the type of person (or at least I used to be), that would sit and almost immediately feel overwhelmed when I had a lot of work to do. 

Necessary question:  WHY does a great amount of work cause for me to feel so overwhelmed? 

In all honestly, I’m really not sure.  However, if you want to hear what horrible sounds like, consider the irony of this next statement.

So, the overwhelming feeling (that’s associated with perceived overwhelming work) leaves me feeling task disoriented and (as a result) very unproductive.  Lack of productivity causes task to pile up and naturally, it also causes frustration to increase.  The increase of frustration, leads to a deeper feeling of being overwhelmed. 

(If you need to re-read that paragraph, trust me, I understand)

Thus, the overwhelming feeling BY DEFAULT only magnifies the overwhelming feeling.

Yikes.

So, after all that, let’s aske the only question that matters:  how exactly do you overcome this feeling?  In other words, how do you overcome the “overwhelm?” 

Well, I’ve newly learned that the answer to this dilemma is found in (wait for it) creating a list.

Please, don’t dismiss me too early.  I know what you’re thinking.  A list?  That’s your answer, a stinking list?!  Just stay with me. 

I’m not talking about the infamous “to-do-list.”  Fact is, I’ve always had those and they’re rarely really the things that I need to be doing.  Rather, I’ve been reading an awesome book entitled The One Thing by Gary Keller and he’s completely changed my mind on the subject.  His book has shown me how to make a list that gives me focus, purpose, and peace of mind. 

Therefore, I present to you 3 quick points to creating the very resourceful success list:

1. Determine and understand your purpose. This is (in my opinion) the most important question of your planning.  Purpose is key.  Don’t lose your mind solely on due dates; rather, focus on this:  what’s my ULTIMATE goal?  Why do you do what you do?  Success demands that this has to be the primary factor in regards to daily activity.  After all, everything you do should be connected to your purpose and objective.  If you’re busy and still discouraged, then that could be your problem; you’re just busy.  Knowing your goal & focusing your success list towards that allows you to convert from being busy, into being productive.
2. Determine what needs to be done versus what doesn’t.  Hands down, this was my #1 problem.  I remember how I’d feel so super productive after completing my to-do-list; however, I’d still ultimately be very behind.  How is this possible?  Simple, I was once again busy and not productive.  The question that you need to ask is this:  of all my task, which ones aren’t leading me closer to my desired success?  Sure, your task is an emergency to the person who’s waiting on its completion.  However, what about you?  Does this task REALLY take you and your organization to this next level?  If it does, add it to your success list.  If not, delay it or delegate it.
3. Prioritize by success. So, your list as of this point has been filtered.  After this is complete, take a moment to determine, of the remaining items, which item is the most important.  Keep in mind that the most important task isn’t solely determined by its assigned due date.  Rather, your personal success must be factored in the decision.  When you find that one, do IT.

What are your thoughts?  Do you agree or disagree?  Subscribe, comment, or let me know on Facebook or Twitter.  Looking forward to connecting with you.  Take care and be blessed.

Imperfectly,

​Kevin D. Jones, Sr.
@imperfection360