What Did You Do Today?

How did you spend your day today? Seems a simple question, but many times we can be at a loss to explain it succinctly. We all have “buckets” that require daily attention. Career, health, family, social – just to name a few. It helps to keep track every once in a while through the infamous to-do lists or just a scorecard.

This review can help keep you on track for goals both big and small. You might find that you’re paying too little attention in one area but really kickin’ butt in another. Your list can give you perspective, and maybe provide some balance to a frenzied life.

Here’s my list:

Finished two client projects
Changed a few diapers (but not all, thanks Kris!)
Got a new THRIVE! social media project off the ground
Designed a logo for said project
Twittered with colleagues and friends (some even work related)
Prepared for a job interview
Wrote my responses for an online interview of “tech stars”
Brainstormed an event-based social media idea for a non-profit fund-raiser

Now there’s a lot of work/career stuff on that list, but what happened to the other categories? Well, like Matt Damon on Jimmy Kimmel, they got bumped. And just like Matt, they’re mad as hell. By reviewing my results I can see the imbalances, and hopefully address them tomorrow.

The 5-Day Forecast
I start each week by updating my weekly “to-do” list. When I compare the “to-do” list to my daily “done” list I get a pretty clear picture of my success rate. I also get to see where I’m falling behind, what came up mid-week and any other whackness that appeared.

Like the TV weatherman that on Monday promises a sunny Friday, sometimes my 5-Day Forecast is wrong (curses, Mike Wankum!). Unlike the weatherman, I have some control over Friday’s results, but only if I keep my on the proverbial ball.

At The Plate
Every day we’re faced with choices that can lead to our success. Identifying good goals is the first step. Tracking progress in some way is the second. Getting help when stuck is the third.

When Manny Ramirez steps up to the plate he has one goal, get a hit. The count shows him exactly where he stands after every pitch (balls vs. strikes). His coaches, and experience, guide his decision process. What will the pitcher throw next? Fastball or slider? That knowledge is the difference between a homerun and a ground out.

How do you think he’d do if he just closed his eyes, blocked his ears and swung at anything? How do you do with your goals when you don’t keep track, listen to advice and just wing it? Yeah, my RBI’s would be down too.

Metaphor Mixologist
OK, so maybe I wandered over to Fenway for a moment, but the point remains the same. To see better results you need to make a plan and track your activity. My 5-Day Forecast and Daily Checklist works well for me. Sharing those lists with key members of my “team” also helps. Sometimes a task can be shared or even off-loaded. Maybe I can pick-up something from their lists, and lend some guidance on others.

Time to update my list with one more item: Wrote a GGW newsletter.

KAED

Related Links

Mike Wankum is a fine meteorologist
Matt Damon getting bumped by Jimmy Kimmel
Ta-Da List – a great free online tool for list making
Remember the Milk – and another one

Quotes of the Week

"We were born to succeed, not to fail."
- Henry David Thoreau

Coaching Quickie: What Did You Do Today?

Check back next week for results!

Last Week's Results

Coaching Quickie: The Problem with Corduroy Pants
How well are you able to take the proper perspective relative to your personal problems?

(00%) I right-size my reactions to all my problems.
(71%) I'm able to keep most but not all of my challenges in check.
(00%) Many of the problems I face seem overwhelming.
(29%) I think all my problems loom larger than they should.

If you missed it, you can read last week's newsletter online here.