Most days the first thing that I do when I get to the office is set my most important tasks for the day. That usually consists of 4-5 tasks that are essential to get done that day. I will end up doing more than that short lists of tasks, but the idea behind an M.I.T. list is to not let the five most essential tasks get lost in the midst of everything else your day demands. Once that list is written in the morning, I try to knock one of those tasks off the list right away.
What I appreciate about this process is taking the time to intentionally focus my energy for the day on what’s really important. On days like today, it helps me block out the other impending deadlines and stress and lock in to what’s really essential.
Let me explain… Here’s my list for today.
* Take care of Jack
As you can see, it’s a rather short list. It’s not my normal list for Thursday. I have other things that need to get done before the end of the week. [People do expect a sermon on Saturday] But for today, this is the only thing that is essential. My boy has been sick since Monday and we’re going to the doctor this morning.
Everything else can wait… and I will adapt to getting those things done at some other time. Those tasks are incredibly important to me, and I care deeply about doing them well, but today is about Jack. Beginning my day with that focus really helps me be present in what I need to do today, and also prepares me for what I will need to do tomorrow.
What steps do you take everyday to focus your energy on what’s really important?
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I set my alarm to go off 10 minutes before I am supposed to get up. I hit snooze, but do not go back to sleep. I lay in bed praying for my husband, children, family, church, the world and for discerment in my checklist. By the time the alarm goes off again, I am ready to get up and face the world. When I get to work, I feel better about what I put in my notebook as priorities, having prayed over them!
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