It is not enough to know that washing dishes is a good thing, that it helps you keep a clean kitchen. The dishes won't wash themselves. The same is true of every mental tool. No matter how long you have used a tool and no matter how convinced you are that it works,...
Tackle the “Blob” with a “Maybe” List
Imagine that every time you faced a daunting task, you could immediately hit on a way to make it easy and inviting to get started. I bet you can—if you make a "Maybe" list. The problem you have is a blob of overload and uncertainty in your mind. You know too much...
Avoid the Plague of Vague
"Somebody ought to do something about that." We've all heard that vague statement offered as a “solution” to a problem. But vague ideas can’t solve anything. You can’t grasp the implications of a vague statement—they are as woozy or woozier than what you started with....
Understanding Paralysis
Paralyzed. Stuck. Blocked. These describe a distressing mental state — made worse by mystery. When you are paralyzed, it seems like you know what you need to do — you need to write, plan, etc. But you feel like you can't take a single step forward. Knowing why you're...
Three Tips for Using Small Time Blocks for an Open-Ended Thinking Task
When you have a big question to think about, don't wait until you have 2 or 3 hours free to tackle it. There just aren't enough big blocks of time available to make that a practical strategy. Instead, learn how to Velcro together smaller blocks of time--say 25...
The “AND List”
The "AND" list is a basic tactic for addressing resistance and temptation in the moment. You can use it when you aren't instantly motivated to do what you "should" be doing. This tactic helps you acknowledge your own mixed motivation so that you can act consciously...
Reset Your Counter
Here's an excellent piece of advice I got from small-business coach Mark LeBlanc: Whatever you are tracking — time spent during the day, exercise periods during the week, or sales during the month, make sure you reset your counter mentally at the end of the tracking...
Three Questions for Reflection
As those of you who have taken my freebie "Jump Start Your Thinking" class know, I like to collect questions. Questions are the spur to thinking. The right question at the right time can trigger important learning. Here is a set of questions I collected from Glenna...
Begin Where You Are
I filled out a time-management questionnaire recently (see references below), and one question was, "Where should I begin, if I want to keep my appointments better?" The only general-purpose answer to such a question is: begin where you are. You always must begin...