Dec 5, 2011<\/p>\n
If you\u2019ve read my recent books<\/strong>, you know I recommend that you have no more than 20 items in the Opportunity Now section of your 1MTD or MYN tasks list. Recall that\u2019s the middle part of the list\u2014the part that is not absolutely due today\u2014it\u00a0 might be due tomorrow, this week, or even as late as 10 days out (but no later). Items in excess of 20 you move to the lower part of your list (the Over-the-Horizon section\u2014the part you check only once a week).<\/p>\n This 20 item limit in the middle section is to make sure you review this list at least once each day. If it\u2019s longer than 20 you won\u2019t review the whole list each day and something may slip by.<\/p>\n But another way to look at this 20 item list is this<\/strong>: you need to let go of some of the tasks on your list and this is an important lesson to learn. We all tend to hold on to our written tasks too long, especially if they are recorded in a computer or handheld device\u2014those things never forget and our list can quickly get out of control.<\/p>\n Enforcing the 20 item rule forces you to let go. It is a cleansing process.\u00a0 By doing this you are asking yourself “What can I let go of so I can move on to more timely or important items?”<\/p>\n This is good to do. We all get trapped in old goals, old impressions, old urgencies, even after their natural time as passed. This helps clear that. And don\u2019t worry, if you put them into the Over-the-Horizon section, you can always find them later; they aren\u2019t lost. They just aren\u2019t in your face every day, which is a good thing. Or better, delete them!<\/p>\n So let go of those old tasks <\/strong>and focus on a core set of fresher tasks that represents your latest thinking. You\u2019ll be glad you did!<\/p>\n Michael<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dec 5, 2011 If you\u2019ve read my recent books, you know I recommend that you have no more than 20 items in the Opportunity Now section of your 1MTD or MYN tasks list. Recall that\u2019s the middle part of the … Continue reading