Free Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life by Margaret Moore

reaching my vision? What concerns me most?
 
(Note: Here’s a very common concern among people who are having difficulties getting organized in their lives.)
 
I’m good at getting started, but I have trouble following through and completing things.
Strategies
What strategies may be effective to help me rise above my challenges?
 
(Here the choice is yours: Which do you think has the highest likelihood of your success? For this example, let’s list three strategies to address the challenge of follow-through.)
 
I’ve got a project deadline eight weeks from now. I will break it down into discrete steps or stages, thinking about where I want to be with this project in one week, two weeks. So instead of worrying about what I’ll be doing a month from now, I’ll think about what I’ll accomplish week by week. This way, I’ll set up a series of intermediate goals, and won’t lose my pace or focus.
Strategies
Lack of follow-through is often a sign of my flagging enthusiasm. How do I recharge my motivational batteries? I’ll put a Post-it note on my desk saying, “I’m on top of things” and place a picture of my family next to it, reminding me of the importance of addressing this issue.
 
Generally, some aspects of any given project are more interesting than others. Tedium can often lead to failure to complete or follow-through, so I’ll break down the big project and look at the more interesting parts. Again, I’ll write them down to help remind myself of these more rewarding and challenging aspects of the project. I’ll make a decision to focus on the more mundane parts today, but “reward” myself by looking at the interesting “big picture” things tomorrow. This will help keep my eye on the more fun and creative aspects of the project and, again, will help keep me on top of it.
Supports
What people, resources, systems and environments can I draw upon to help me realize my vision and meet my challenges?
 
I’ve got a friend at work or a tennis partner or my spouse that I can talk to about work. I’ll make sure I discuss the progress of this project a couple of times over the next eight weeks. Talking to him or her will help keep my eye on the big picture and will enable me to have a broader perspective on the progress of the job.
 
I want to make sure I get my exercise in that week and get enough sleep so that I feel fresh and energized and ready to work on this project every day.
Supports
When I want to do some of the big-picture, creative planning on this project, I’m going to have some background noise. I’ll go to a coffee shop and put on some classical music. (Contrary to what you may have heard, having background noise can help tune out outside distractions and help focus.)
 
Oh, and keeping reading this book!
Confidence
On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being really confident and 0 being not confident, how confident am I that I can close the gap and realize my vision?
 
I feel energized because I have a vision and I know why it matters. I have some strategies and a support network in place, so I’d say it’s now a 7 out of 10. Let’s go for it!
Ready & Committed
Am I ready and committed to take the first steps toward my vision?
 
(We’d like to answer that for you, if we may.) You’ve already purchased this book and read this far. That’s a very good sign that you’re ready to commit. Let’s shake on it!
First Steps
What first steps do I want to take?
 
(Big journeys of change often start with small, seemingly innocuous steps. They could be very practical or symbolic-different people respond differently.)
 
Again, using the example of “I want to stay on top of things,” I will:
First Steps
Put a photo of me on top of a mountain (or, if you’ve never been to the top, a picture of Sir Edmund Hillary on Mount Everest or any other wonderful, inspiring