Creating a system to organize your life

[alexb5784]

This thread refers to the following blog post:

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...bility-system/

I've been using a Personal Accountablity System (PAS) since October and it worked well for me until it became too complicated to update. I had about ten sections for goals, my purpose, articles and so forth. It got to the point where I didn't even want to use it anymore. I felt that everytime I got clearer about my goals,there was always more organization to be done

Now I'm reading Getting Things Done (GTD) by David Allen and I've realized that my whole approach to organization was completely backwards. My new PAS, which I'm writing tonight, will be very simple and short. But it has taken me eight weeks realize all of this. Oh well, better than never.

With GTD, I'm learning that I must begin to manage my actions instead of my time. Reading this book has really been an eye opener. Although I'm not finished with GTD yet, I'm already beginning to see some improvements in my life. GTD is certainly the type of book that one never finishes. It's defintely a source of information to consult every few weeks or months to learn new things.

Has anyone else been using a PAS or some other way to keep focused on goals, intentions, etc? And if you have read GTD, how has it helped you become more successful?

[stephencp]

Whatever you do, I think you've got to write it down. If you want to accomplish alot of stuff, you'll probably have a fairly lengthy if not complex PAS.

Stephen
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[Cassie]

I write down all my mini goals and long term goals as well. I have it so they'll pop up on a little screen as I log in. I can be severely absent-minded so it's a system that has helped keep me on track.

Something I've learned to accept is that my inbox will never be empty. There will always be something that needs to be done. I don't stress about it anymore. I just try to stay focused and be as productive as I can every day with what I wish to accomplish.

[Joel Chue]

GOALS keep you organized.

Do goal setting. What are some of the 6-8 biggest goals you want to accomplish? THat should really set you straight!

NExt thing is how do you go about working on them? There's no way
you can work on all 8 things in one day!!!

Here's what i tend to do. Before I go to bed every night, I plan out the
next day. And i never fail to do so because i always stuff my planner under my
pillow. I can't sleep unless i prioritize what i want to work on tomorrow.

Hope this helps. Idea taken from Goals by Zig Ziglar.

[alexb5784]

Thanks everyone for all the great tips! Also I'll go and load some Ziglar CDs to my iPod and listen to what he has to say. I love his Texan accent.

I guess I just haven't been focusing on my purpose. Yesterday, I ended a project that has made me extra money, but drained my energy. I already feel better. I was worried about losing the extra income, but I'm getting a raise in my salary after Christmas...so it all works out. I was allowing the side project to become too important and I forgot what was REALLY important, my purpose and goals. Now I'm getting back on track

Also I listened to Steve's podcast #15 and he talks about alignment with your life purpose. Here is the link below if you want to listen to it:

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...-your-purpose/

[Yynatago]

Originally Posted by Cassie

Something I've learned to accept is that my inbox will never be empty. There will always be something that needs to be done.

Yes, I agree there will always be something that needs to be done, but it should be pretty easy to get your inbox down to zero! It should be your todo list or next action list that will probably never be empty

Regards,
Yynatago