Up and Down

02/11/10

I was quite strategic with my list this morning. After all, today is the day of The Race That Stops The Nation and I have every intention of stopping with it.

Yes, Australia stops then it starts again and I still need a job. When I sit on the couch at 2pm, I’d like to know that I’ve put a constructive day behind me and that I fully deserve to relax and escape in the hype, emotion, glamour and wonder of the Melbourne Cup.

The “Up Down List” is the list I create, when over and above my short term deadline list, there are other things I’d like to do just because they’re fun.Or easy. Or both. Things I’d rather be doing. Things that could easily become distractions or excuses for not getting the stuff I don’t really want to do, done.

So here’s how I work it. I do something that’s hard, then reward myself with something that’s easy or fun.

Something that I don’t really want to do, followed by something that I don’t mind doing at all.

Something that makes me tired just thinking about it, followed by something that peps me up just by doing it.

Technically, it’s the “Down Up List” because in my own experience, it’s more constructive to start with something you’re not that amped about and get it over and done straight up. Worst First and all that. Eat Your Frog.

I use the “Up Down List” when I have every excuse to slack off. I mean, the whole nation is chilling out and lubing up and talking “So You Think” right now, it’s not like anyone’s going to be interested in reading my job application today, is it?

OMG. How stupid does that sound? Ridiculous, over-rationalised, over-explained excuses, we’re good at them aren’t we? That’s a whole new post.

Anyway, the whole “Up Down” strategy just gives me a bit of momentum. While I’m getting the hard and/or boring and/or frog feasting stuff done, I’m looking forward to the fun stuff.

As a result, things get done.

This morning, my short term “Today” list looked like this:

To Do

Gym session – Cardio (frog)

(Note; I had breakfast in here, that was more fun than the next one)

Amend CV’s to include Bar quals. (frog)

Book appointment with Dr ABC (easy)

Application away - Job Y (Big fat frog. Cover letters are a TOAD.)

Bets ON! (One race, one bet, one way. I LOVE the Melbourne Cup!)

Research Job X (there’s a frog right there)

Biscuits (fun – I like to bake)

Now, it’s 11am. My list looks like this:

To Do

Bets ON!

Research Job X

Biscuits

I’m pretty happy with that. A lot of frogs eaten in a very short time, and a nice glass of Semillon to wash them down with at 3pm. 2pm. Around there.

The Up Down List - the listing strategy that gets stuff done when you’d rather be doing something else and helps quash the guilt of procrastination.