The bigger picture?

[Smarky]

I've started breaking things down, I've noticed I've become too overwhelmed with everything all I really need to know in terms of productivity and personal effectiveness is what I need to do right now. What is next?

This is lead me to wonder about the bigger picture and how that fits in with this kinda thinking.

I was wondering what is a good way to document the bigger picture long term goals in a way that shows how everything is related to the smaller steps that need to be done now.

Then I started wondering if this is actually really required? Is this just over complicating things? because this locks you in to a way of thinking, perhaps all you ever need to know is what next?

Roadmaps lock you into a way of thinking before your even there, things change, is it not better to ignore what you don't know, focus on the now, do the right thing for today because decisions don't last forever and the future is not something you can know?

I'm wondering if this is something that may really help me. Letting go of having to know everything and just focusing on what I need to do next.

I think I ended up answering my own original post, but i'll post it here anyway!

[Jarrod]

In regards to physical things, the most effective way to get things done is to focus on what to do next. But the only way to do that is to have a look at the long-term goal and figure out what you need to do to get there.

What I'm trying to say is, you do the most effective work when you focus on one task. But while you do a lot of work, that will only be useful if it is on track to the long-term goal.

In regards to spiritual or self development things I don't think it is quite as clear cut. Because the goal is harder to define, compared to making a product, or getting more work done in a day. For this I think you have to trust in a method (whether it be your own or someone else who you think is closer to where you want to be) and focus on practicing now. Then every so often you have to reflect and evaluate if you are heading in the right direction.

So I guess my answer is the same for both areas. Focus on current activities but you should stop to reflect on progress towards your end goal (which you think/plan about at the start) regularly.

The real question is: Did I understand what your question was?

[Smarky]

Yea, I understand what you are saying!

What I do is at the end of each week I ask myself what I would like to achive and I list out everything and from there I work out what is next. I jot down what I need to focus on for the next week and then toss it away. Leaving only what is important and what needs to be done in the now.

At least that is what i'm going to try to start doing!

[Jarrod]

*Thumbs up*

[dannielo]

Originally Posted by Smarky

I've started breaking things down, I've noticed I've become too overwhelmed with everything all I really need to know in terms of productivity and personal effectiveness is what I need to do right now. What is next?

This is lead me to wonder about the bigger picture and how that fits in with this kinda thinking.

I was wondering what is a good way to document the bigger picture long term goals in a way that shows how everything is related to the smaller steps that need to be done now.

Then I started wondering if this is actually really required? Is this just over complicating things? because this locks you in to a way of thinking, perhaps all you ever need to know is what next?

Roadmaps lock you into a way of thinking before your even there, things change, is it not better to ignore what you don't know, focus on the now, do the right thing for today because decisions don't last forever and the future is not something you can know?

I'm wondering if this is something that may really help me. Letting go of having to know everything and just focusing on what I need to do next.

I think I ended up answering my own original post, but i'll post it here anyway!

You may give a try to my application, Gtdagenda.com

It has Goals for your bigger picture, and then both Prioritization and Next Actions (as in GTD) for arranging your tasks.

And with the .mobi version you can have your goals/tasks anywhere with you.

[robertanthony]

Have you heard of the bigger game?

Rick Tamlyn