by Mike Morrison
Fellow colleague,
What will be different about you this year? A fair question indeed.
The “busyness” factor has reduced many of us to 7/8th versions of our former selves – and so we fight just to stay even.
Just before the holiday break I shared my Need To-Want To-Will Do idea and immediately got requests for over 300 of the supporting “reminder” wristbands. I want to resubmit my offer to the rest of you and emphasize the critical nature of the aspirational things – the things we want-to-do. If is your want-to-do’s that will ultimately define what you become in this life.
This is critical “to do” at the beginning of the year – before we lose ourselves the increasing complexity and urgency that defines our contemporary lifestyles. To cut through the “busyness” clutter, I have been experimenting with a simple three-part process that I have memorialized onto a plastic wristband. On the band are these simple phrases:
Need to
Want to
Will do
In a single notebook, I have created a master list of things I need to do and things I want to do. Each morning I revisit the list and I create a simple plan in my head for the three “priority” things I will do that day. Of course, I actually do dozens of things-but these will be the three things that I protect, giving me a sense of purpose for the day.
Need to do: This list is for the “responsible” me. I have my personal need-to-do’s: fixing the leaky faucet (or a relationship that I let slip), refinancing the house, or transferring my retirement fund. I also have my professional need-to-do’s: updating my website, preparing my taxes or making some new business contacts. There are hundreds of things that I need to do. Having a master list of them gives me a sense of control.
Want to do: This list is for the “aspirational” me. In both my personal and professional life (the lines are definitely blurring), there are things that I want to do because they give my life meaning. I want to finish my poetry book, ski ten days next year, and re-envision my consulting practice. I want to deepen some of my relationships and take my tennis game to the next level. I want to be in the best shape of my life. What do you want to do in 2012?
Will do: These are the three things (not twenty) I will commit to today. It helps me to start the day with a sense of purpose-a feeling of empowerment. Because it is only three things, it is rare that I don’t get them done (especially with the darn wrist band staring at me all day). Everything else I do is a sweet bonus and doesn’t feel like a burden.
My own personal rule is to every day include at least one need-to-do and one want-to-do to keep balance between my responsible and aspirational selves. The exception is vacation time, where I try to exclusively focus time on what I want to do-to fully renew the spirit.
See you on the path,
Mike