Every day can be thought of as a new battle in the war to practice self discipline. We’ve worked on skills that will boost your productivity and that will give you the raw material to work with to produce outstanding results. These will all serve you well, but to make the most of them its important that each and every day you get your priorities straight.
It’s hard to meet goals, if you aren’t clear about what they are.
And the person who has really “taken control” of themselves needs to set goals and accomplish them each and every day.
This is what helps build momentum and will eventually turn you into an unstoppable force.
Sooner rather than later.
The main tool we’re going to use is one that I’m sure you’re familiar with. We’re just going to use it in a more hard-core and less traditional way.
The to-do list. Something that’s mentioned in probably every book on “getting things done” that’s ever been written, but usually in passing.
We are elevating the to-do list to the level of being a vital component of your day (and night’s) activities.
Here’s how…
Each and Every Morning You Make Your List. If it’s important for you to do, it wins a spot. From work related items, to hitting the gym, buying flowers for your partner or taking the dog for a game of Frisbee at the park. At a bare minimum there should be seven or eight items. More is better. List these in the order of most difficult to those of lesser difficulty. If something isn’t important at all don’t put it on your list, since you will be completing everything no matter what. This should take you five or ten minutes so make sure you practice your self discipline and get up on time!
Get Started Right Away. Begin, whenever possible, with the most difficult things on your list and proceed all the way down to the least important. Start your list right away, making the best use of your time and energy right after you wake. As your energy starts to level off you will be working on your easier tasks. This is good energy management along with time management. Combine them with the self discipline it requires to take your to-do list seriously and watch your whole life get into order.
Work Hard Until Your List is Finished.
Many people fail their to-do lists, rather than their lists failing them. If it goes on your list, do it. If you made the mistake to make your list to long, grin and bear it and correct your error on the next day. This is all about building self discipline and holding yourself accountable. So work hard on your list and don’t take the easy way out. The only person you will hurt is yourself.
I’d suggest writing your to-do list on a pocket pad and keeping it with you at all times. I keep mine in my back pocket. Writing a list and forgetting it at home or leaving it in your desk at work defeats its purpose. This should be as important to you getting ready in the morning as putting on a pair of shoes or making sure you have your keys! That’s what self discipline is all about.