How To Do a To Do (not)

I have a regular to do list which I sometimes ferociously watch, and most times studiously ignore.

Which way works best?

David Allen is famous for debuting his philosophy in Getting Things Done (GTB), then going on to make a fortune from it. Poor guy - he really has to live his biz like me. 24/7.

David's primary insight was this: when making a To Do list, put every "necessary" into your system, without exception. Once you have downloaded every single item you want to do, think about or plan - you can TRUST your system.

Relax. Free up your brain space.

"Doesn't work for us ADHD types."

declared my good friend and past biz consultant, Paul Lemberg...

"We're not going to check it every day, no way. And we're gonna forget to add stuff, for sure."

Paul's words were prophetic.

After I read David's book, I bought Things. It was a simple-minded software that extended my list-making prowess into digital realms. I was on again and off again, so I started to blame the system.

Which gave me a perfect excuse to move up the ladder to another GTD-based software called OmniFocus. Fun.

Despite all the affection and love I lavished on it, I was still Antony to Omni's Cleopatra in shifting my alliances, although I always knew my true love. I still have it, use it. Occasionally. But here's what I (strangely) discovered along the way…

I want to be organised, I want to be on top of EVERYTHING. Doesn't everyone?

Impossible.

That's why these systems fail us, because you ask too much of your Self.

Big dreams usually don't include downsizing, but when you analyse the great achievers - it's what they left out that made them successful.

Often at a big cost.

It's not adding and building to your life-running system that works best; it's striping and peeling away the unnecessary that renders real results.

ASK: How could you do less, not manage more?

ASK: How could you simplify, rather than go complex?

Isn't this the secondary discovery that came out of FM's first? That our tendency - in the face of demand - is to do more; add more; try harder. Be stupid. OK, if you're going to be stupid, then the Alexander principle advises the opposite: "Keep it simple, stupid."

K.I.S.S. is an Alexander way of life for functioning well.

Eliminate these things:

• Books you'll never read again
• Friendships based on being nice
• Clothes you haven't worn in a year
• Answering the email of the email back
• Long explanations of simple-to-say things
• Answering the phone when you don't want to talk
• Going out to dinner when you want to stay home
• Being in places you don't want to be in
• Having unnecessary meetings
• Doing useless things

(like balancing a spoon over a calculator, using coins and a potato)

I'm sure you can add to the list. So. How to do a to do?

First ask: does it even need doing?

You'll be amazed.