Resolution Challenge: Unintended Consequences
Regular readers to this blog know that Cranky, I, and others are putting up our lists of things to do to make sure we get something-anything accomplished this year of 2008. Sometimes I pad my list with little to-do's because I'll forget to do them otherwise. So far it's been a pretty good motivator, but there is also the opposite effect.
Take last night. I'm my friendly neighborhood Ace hardware store buying air filters for my house. On my way to the checkout, I pass the light bulb section.
Good Voice in Head: "I should probably buy some more flourescent bulbs and change out the rest of the old ones."
Evil Voice in Head: "But you don't have 'change light bulbs' on the list this week."
GViH: "Hmm, you're right. But it's not like it will take me any time at all."
EViH: "But they aren't on the list! There's no sense doing more than you have to. You have plenty on the list already."
GViH: "But the bulbs are right here! And it's simple to change them out."
EViH: "Save that for next week's list. C'mon, let's go home."
GViH: "Well...I dunno...We are here and I don't really want to make an extra trip back here."
EViH: "C'MON! Let's go! I'm hungry and Elvis needs his shot."
GViH: "He'll be fine for a little while longer. Hmm, how many bulbs do I need? And at what wattage?"
EViH: *makes lost of commotion so I can't concentrate on how many to buy at what power*
Friendly Hardware Guy: "Do you need help with anything?"
Realizing I'd been standing there perfectly still staring at lightbulbs for a over a full minute, I said sure - and walked out with a pack of five at 75 and one 3-way bulb.
When I got home I broke down and changed out one light bulb. I felt conflicted.
Because it wasn't on the list.
Comments
I struggled with that as well. But my brain could only handle one conversation at a time. Why change out a perfectly good lightbulb before its time?
That's why the one I changed - I kept. I couldn't bear to throw it away yet. I think I'll change it back when I get home. I grew up using every little thing until it couldn't be used anymore for anything else. It hurt to take out a working light bulb. Maybe I'll just wait until it dies before putting in the new fancy one.
hahaha! see, I'm always looking for the easy brownie points. Because if I don't do stuff on my list I feel like I get extra credit for saying BUT HEY---here's all the shit I did that WASN'T EVEN ON my list.
I thought you were going to say you had a run in with some faux-tards and a Spiderman head filled with condoms.
One key principle is ubiquitous capture--write down notions as you think of them. A variation of the key example: you don't think to buy light bulbs when you are at the store; you think of it when the bulb burns out. Hmmmm...
Second, one principle of GTD is to just do "two minute tasks" rather than formally putting them into a system. The idea is that you'll spend longer processes the task than doing it. Given that, in the context (at the store) it was a two minute task, it didn't need to be on a to-do list.
Feel no conflict--just apply a different methodology. :)
And I applaud changing the bulbs!
Incidentally - that post of yours is what pushed me over the edge to buy the bulbs! I always think of it when I'm passing the light bulb aisle. :-)
Also - I really dig the GTD link. I'll have to look into that book. I lost my Stephen Covey "7 Habits" book years ago. Ironic, eh? I bet effective people don't lose their personal management books. :-P