Why is it that we all seem to allow for things to go undone for long periods of time? Personally, I’ve been guilty of leaving small tasks, which might take 2 hours to complete, go undone for over a year. Am I a lazy person? I don’t think so but then again I have been known to push a few things off which could get done here and now.

I’ve had to question what makes some tasks rise to priority while others just hang in the background for what seems to be eternity. In reflection, I’ve arrived at these insights.

Life doesn’t have a better time.
I’d like to believe that there will always be time in the future for me to complete my tasks. I get caught up in addressing the most pressing needs at that time, thereby causing less pressing tasks to be pushed to the back of the line. Similar to filling a water balloon, these tasks build and build until they eventually exert enough pressure to burst the balloon. The sad part is that I’ll take out another balloon and start filling it back up thinking this time will be different.

Einstein has been quoted as saying “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I guess I’m going insane.

Don’t let life drive drunk!
Whenever I lose sight of what is truly priority and what is not, then life starts to drive for me. Often life is like a drunk driver; you’ll be luck to get to your destination without harming yourself or others. Whenever I’ve lost my focus I’ve indirectly affected others around me, who are counting on me for various reasons.

Personally, I feel that tasks which are highest in priority are those which involve others who cannot carry on until I’ve completed my task.

Delegation and education are key.
Many times I saddle myself with unnecessary tasks because it’s “easier” for me to just do it. However because it’s so easy, I often will push it to the back of the task line because I believe I can do it at anytime. Instead, those tasks should be pushed off to another person for whom the task might be better suited. In addition, if I’m the only one who knows how to do something then it’s time for me to train others.

I’ve decided to ramble about this topic because today I had a balloon burst. I’m now trying to pick up the scattered tasks without resorting to the same old balloon stuffing. This time I’m going to try a different approach to organizing my tasks.

I read a book a few months back which suggested we organize tasks by a 4 category matrix.

• High-Priority / Important
• Low-Priority / Important
• High-Priority / Not-Important
• Low-Priority / Not-Important

In a matrix layout they tend to make more sense, however for me, it’s tough to envision tasks which are either low-priority / important or high-priority / not-important. Therefore I’ve revised the matrix to suit my needs:

• Urgent / Others Waiting
  These tasks are urgent and others are waiting for you to make your move.
• Not-Urgent / Others Waiting
  Others are waiting for you, but you are not holding them up.
• Urgent / Personal
  Tasks which are important only to you and are not holding anyone else up.
• Not-Urgent / Personal
  Task you would like to get done but they are last in line.

I’m hoping this time for different results. The kicker is to not let tasks build up beyond my control. Going back to keeping the focus; this time around I’m going to give myself at least 1 hour each day to complete all personal tasks. The crux will be keeping the discipline to remain on a schedule and not left life take me on a drunken car ride again.

I’ll let you know how this works for me in a few more months.