The Brain Dump To Do List Isn't Working

I grab the scrap of paper that is my To Do list and scrawl another thing down. Panic, overwhelm, sinking.

Relief.

"A problem shared is a problem halved".

It's captured.

Staring at this I have no idea where to start - I pick whatever deadline is closest or easiest.

No sense of achievement. It's all about survival - keeping the wolves from the door.

How To Find Direction

I'm reading "The One Thing" by Gary Keller and Jay Papason.

The premise of the book is that everything grows from one thing in your life.

It states "The surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results."

Reading it I lurch from inspired to terrified.

"There can't be just one thing!"

The Secret To Winning The Day

I frantically fire-fight through daily lists, while this book's planning strategy talks about starting with your 5 years vision!

I could scream!

"It's totally impractical."

I realise I am in no place to judge .

"30 minutes future planning" goes to the top of my daily list. I set my timer and start.

When the timer goes off I am stunned!

I have purpose, direction, clarity.

A massive weight has been lifted from me.

Deep Diving Into The Now

Starting with the 5 year vision I think scare myself.

"How the fuck am I supposed to achieve that?"

I drill down to 1 year, then 1 month, 1 week, 1 day, to now.

It is all so logical.

"Where do I need to be in 1 year" all the way down to "What do I need to be doing now!".

Blue sky thinking has been refined to incredibly actionable steps I can do right now.

My Take Away

Stepping off the hamster wheel to future plan was terrifying, but after only 30 minutes, so many things have fallen into place.

I have the foundations of a working document providing me with signposts to check the direction I am heading. I am unstuck!

I have a compass to check and make sure I'm guided by my true north.

Things suddenly feel achievable.