December is a good month to discuss what we do with our "stuff", since many of us get more than we need for Christmas. The "stuff" here, however, is the massive "In" box of items representing the incomplete tasks in our lives.
Once we finish the "
Collect" step of David Allen's process for getting things done, we are ready to take the next step and empty our "In" box:
Process.
It is in the processing phase of workflow management that we ask ourselves questions about each e-mail, voice-mail, memo, or self-generated idea that makes its way into our "in" box. We ask:
- Is it actionable?
- What's the next action?
Items that require no action should either be trashed, filed as reference materials, or incubated for future review. Actionable items should be captured on a task or project list once we determine the next required action. Then, each actionable item needs to be either done, delegated or deferred. A basic rule of thumb is that if you can finish an item in two minutes or less, do it now.
Does all of this sound complicated? If it does, don't despair. Just as old habits can be broken, new ones can be made. Just take things one step at a time.
Homework: This week as you process your "stuff", take note how often you say "I'll just do this later" to yourself. Think about this both at home and at work. If the task would take less than two minutes to complete, why not just do it?
