10 habits of Zen To Done (ZTD)
by Parker · 39 things on NewTwos
- Collect
- Write down any tasks, ideas, projects, or other information that pop into your head
- Get it out of your head and onto paper or a digital tool so you don’t forget it
- Process
- Make quick decisions of things in your inbox
- Process your inboxes (email, voicemail, notebook, digital tool) once a day
- Do it (if it takes 2 minutes or less), trash it, delegate it, file it, or put it on your to-do list or calendar for later
- Set 3 big rocks (most important tasks) each week
- Plan
- Do
- Set 3 MITs (big rocks) each day and focus on them early to get them out of the way and done
- Do one task at a time, without distractions
- Eliminate all distractions (email, cell phone, desk clutter, internet tabs)
- Don’t multi-task
- If you get interrupted, write it down and get back to your task
- Simple Trusted System
- Keep simple lists, check daily
- Don’t keep trying out new tools
- Use context (@work, @phone, @home, @errands, @waiting) if that works for you
- Don’t create a complicated system
- Organize
- One list for each context and a projects list you review daily or weekly
- All incoming stuff goes in your inbox
- From there, it goes on your context lists
- Put things where they belong right away
- Review
- Do a monthly review and yearly review
- Go over your yearly goals, see your progress you made this week, and decide action items for the next week
- Review your system & goals weekly
- Simplify
- Reduce your goals & tasks to the essentials
- It’s easy to become overloaded and lose focus
- Be sure your projects and tasks line up with your yearly and life goals
- Routine
- Set and keep routines (morning, nightly, weekly, monthly)
- Make them work for you
- Find your passion
- Seek work you are passionate about
- If you’re passionate about it, you won’t procrastinate