Getting the Right Things Done

I’ve been listening to the audiobook Getting Things Done during my workout.

The premise of the first few chapters is that the overwhelming cause of stress is having a list but not having the first action to take in tackling each task in the list.

Instead of a basic to-do list, you should have a task+first action list.

Once you establish that first action, you will overcome the tasks with much less stress.

And so far, I’ve found this extremely true.

Yesterday, however, was my first chance to apply this concept to tasks outside of my work life.

My college mentor’s father died yesterday after a long battle with dementia. I read the news online, and my first instinct was to post on Facebook. Then I stopped. Getting Things Done isn’t about knocking out tasks halfway done.

What is my first action: Buy a

What is my second action: Write the card and explain how much she meant to me and how I learned to deal with my grandmother’s dementia by the way she handled her father.

What is my third action: Mail the card.

It seems a little insensitive to compartmentalize a sad event like this, but it’s also the most effective manner of being actively sympathetic.

I’m constantly haunted by that phrase “The road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and it probably drives me to over-volunteer with different organizations.

But, when you apply business making strategies to actively loving on your neighbors, family, and friends, it makes for more complete relationships that are based on actions rather than just words.

So today, I challenge you to make that task+first action list for showing someone you care.

Let us know how it goes.

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