The most useful advice I received on office productivity may also be the most obvious: Live by the list. This was the advice, word for word, of my first boss in a professional position; who was confronted by my disorganization and lack of progress. It has been a key to productivity for me ever since - as it has for so many. It is, of course, the most basic element of time management.
I remember seeing some time ago a related comment by David Koch, who was asked in a TV program his key to success: his odd answer being "routine". Both bits of advice, on first blush, seem a certain recipe for an uninspiring life: lacking in originality, spontaneity and creativity. My experience; however, seems to refute this, which is surprising. Why does keeping lists and maintain a routine lead to greater, not lesser, experience and expression of life?
My tentative answer is that keeping a "task list" is a potent way of focusing yourself on creating good habits and avoiding bad habits. By working only on items from the list, we create discipline in habits and (naturally) develop a "routine" organized around a personal definition of success. Reorganizing the list, adding items and subtracting items periodically, is where creativity is enhanced because we use consciousness to organize our time, rather than relying on the habits (some good, some bad) that have entrenched themselves over time.
I'm trying to become more disciplined in following my tasks lists and organizing them carefully to develop good habits. Time will tell if this continues to improve my creativity, or whether I'll reach a saturation point where I feel obsessed (and depressed) with these efforts.
I remember seeing some time ago a related comment by David Koch, who was asked in a TV program his key to success: his odd answer being "routine". Both bits of advice, on first blush, seem a certain recipe for an uninspiring life: lacking in originality, spontaneity and creativity. My experience; however, seems to refute this, which is surprising. Why does keeping lists and maintain a routine lead to greater, not lesser, experience and expression of life?
My tentative answer is that keeping a "task list" is a potent way of focusing yourself on creating good habits and avoiding bad habits. By working only on items from the list, we create discipline in habits and (naturally) develop a "routine" organized around a personal definition of success. Reorganizing the list, adding items and subtracting items periodically, is where creativity is enhanced because we use consciousness to organize our time, rather than relying on the habits (some good, some bad) that have entrenched themselves over time.
I'm trying to become more disciplined in following my tasks lists and organizing them carefully to develop good habits. Time will tell if this continues to improve my creativity, or whether I'll reach a saturation point where I feel obsessed (and depressed) with these efforts.
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