Erica smiled again. “I always think I will get around to the follow-up. That’s why I don’t think about scheduling it on my calendar.”
“That’s exactly why to do lists don’t work for me. I stay so fully scheduled that I do not get around to things that are not on my calendar. To do lists work for some people, but not for me,” I explained.
“So, you are suggesting that when I delegate, I should put the follow-up steps on my calendar?”
I nodded, “Yes. Because if you don’t put them on your calendar, when are you going to do the follow-up?”
Erica almost laughed, “Never. In fact, I wonder if I should stop keeping a to do list. Maybe I should put everything on a calendar.”
“Let me know how that works out for you.” -TF
But by putting everything on a calendar, are you then not leaving yourself enough “wiggle room” for things that may come up as higher priority? I definitely struggle with to-do lists. I have about 4 or 5 partial lists on my desk somewhere–so I need the visibiliy but my problem lies in the unexpected…people that camp out in my office with problems to discuss for an hour at a time.
I don’t use my Calendar I use my inbox. Most people use outlook…. so setup your inbox with folders where you can file any items you have responded to or actioned to another person. If its a to do or an action you have then it stays in your inbox. Everyone I work with knows that if my inbox has a “scroll bar” I am not happy. It so simple to do but its been the most useful process/tool I have used throughout my career. Deal with it, file it or leave it there to nag you until you complete….it’s that simple
Steve, thanks for the idea I will give it a try.