Happy New Year! Another year is upon us full of hope and new promises. With a mounting list of new things to do and accomplish, the task of organizing a to-do list seems daunting. I’m not the only one, am I?
As I literally and figuratively try to juggle my writing schedule, business schedule, plus volunteer and kids activities, I find that non-essential business doesn’t seem to happen. My calendar can’t contain all of the aspirations in my head. It can hardly contain the actual commitments like picking someone up or brushing my teeth.
I stumbled upon software called Things for Apple. I downloaded a free trial yesterday and WOW! Simple to use and a good looking user interface. I can separate different projects and tasks to those projects. Or, I can just create a random task like “eat 6 doughnuts”.
As for writing, the possibilities are clearly valuable. Goals are only ideas if there isn’t a deadline attached. I’ve got LOTS of ideas! Things lets you set a deadline for each part of your writing project and proudly check things off when done. Brainstorm article idea – check. Research article – check. Schedule interview- check. Nothing like a little positive reinforcement to get you through the day.
If you don’t have a Mac, there are other task management programs available. Many of them offer a free trial. But, even if you don’t want to go the software route, get your goals down on paper. Make a deadline. Check things off. 2011 will be your year of the check mark.
Write my first blog entry of the year – check.
