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58 •
PPB
• APRIL 2016
THINK
WATER COOLER
Write
This
Down
1
A TARGETED TASK LIST
Use this list to tackle only
those items you have the time and resources to
achieve. It’s okay to focus on big goals here, but
break them down into actionable tasks. Write the next day’s list at
the end of the day, when you can see ahead to what needs to be
done—but not too far ahead. If you miss something that’s impor-
tant but non-urgent, move it to the next day.
2
AN OUTSOURCE LIST
Just because something has to
be done doesn’t mean it has to be done by you.
Managers and executive leaders, especially, benefit
from delegating tasks that don’t require a personal touch or their
specific fingerprint. Some tasks may require upfront training, but
outsourcing them saves time in the end.
3
A LONG-TERM GOALS LIST
Don’t let the chaos of the
daily grind keep you from thinking about the big
picture. Writing your long-term goals helps you
achieve them. Writing sets the intention and is more likely to make
a goal actionable. Create an email or calendar reminder to review
your long-term goals periodically, and revise them as needed.
4
A PRO-CON LIST
Pro-con lists might seem juvenile
on the surface, but weighing the positive and nega-
tive aspects of a potentially game-changing decision
forces you to examine that decision more closely. Seeing more pros
than cons doesn’t tie you to a ‘yes,’ either—or vice versa.
5
A PROJECT LIST
Project lists should detail tasks and
pair individuals with those tasks, and they should
follow a general timeline of events leading up to the
completion of that project. Having project lists helps keep everyone
in lockstep, and it helps managers avoid micromanaging.
6
A TALKING-POINTS LIST
Create a list of things you
want to discuss in a meeting or phone call, so you
don’t risk forgetting something. Keep this list
handy on your desk, so when things pop in your mind you can jot
them down.
Source:
Fast Company
THERE’S NO BETTER WAY to feel like you’ve
gotten things done than by checking them off on
your massive “to do” list. Of course, that same list
may leave you feeling like a failure if it’s not
wrapped up at the end of the day. But there’s more
to list-making than just lining up tasks by impor-
tance or timeliness. Author Paula Rizzo recom-
mends making six different kinds of lists, each tar-
geted to a specific type of task.
By Jen Alexander