I love lists. Put just about anything in bullet form or next to a check box and I’m game.
To-do lists? I love a to-do list! It makes me feel in control, organized, and productive. A to-do list is a plan and a promise to myself to be the best version of myself – later today, tomorrow, or maybe next week.
The problem is, tomorrow comes, and well, “The best-laid plans of mice and men oft’ go awry” (thanks Robert Burns) or the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Either way, the to-do list is perfect, the execution is lacking. Turns outs creating the prefect to-do list does not mean anything will actually will get done.
And we know that done is better than perfect.
Enter The Done List.
In Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman shares that in a quest to get everything done, “… it’s easy to grow despondent and self-reproachful: you can’t feel good about yourself until it’s all finished – but it’s never finished, so you never get to feel good about yourself.”
If you find yourself stuck in that trap, like I did, give the Done List a try. The past few weeks I’ve thrown the idea of a to-do list out the window and have only written down what I’ve actually gotten DONE. My execution and productivity went up by about 75%.
A to-do list gives me endorphins based on what I aspire to achieve. The done list gives me the same endorphin hit, but with a tangible result. I know which one I’ll take!
Sure, I still write down the projects or personal administrative tasks (e.g. call roofer!) that I don’t want to forget. But, with a Done List, I’m able to focus on what I’ve completed, instead of what I still have yet to get done (that may or may not even be reasonable based on the shifting priorities of the day).
Do you think you’ll give the Done List a try? Or do you love your to-do lists too much? Hey, maybe a to-do list works great for you! Productivity is personal. You have to find what works for you.
For now, my Weekly Execution Plan, plus the Done List is taking my productivity to a whole other level. So, I think I’ll stick with this for a while!
– Hallie
On the Blog
The 4 Elements of a High-Impact Executive Assistant
The four elements, often referred to as the classical elements of nature, are Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. After reading their descriptions, I couldn’t help but notice that these four elements sound surprisingly like the key elements of a high-impact Force Multiplier (Executive Assistant, Executive Business Partner, Chief of Staff, etc.). Let’s take a closer look at each of these elements and what you can do today to harness their power.
Weekly Top 5
- What if employees were free to work wherever and whenever they wanted to, as long as the work got done? That’s what Cali Ressler and Jody Thompson implemented at Best Buy, and are sharing with you in Why Work Sucks and How to Fix It: The Results-Only Revolution. It takes commitment and practice to achieve, but it may be the next evolution of work that both leaders and employees are looking for.
- “Things that aren’t doing the thing” is one of my favorite essays that I revisit often. It’s a great reminder that making that to-do list, researching, thinking, or preparing to do the thing is not doing the thing. The only thing that is doing the thing (completing a project, having a difficult conversation, finishing a workout, writing a blog, etc.) is doing that thing! Thanks Strangest Loop!
- If you are looking for an authentic networking community for Executive & Personal Assistants, than look no further than EA Social Club, founded by Becky Kaapuni. EA Social Club strives to provide a safe space for members to be their true selves, share experiences, and find inspiration from peers who understand the challenges and joys of the work they do. The EA Social Club believes in the power of in-person connections; after all, it IS where the true magic happens. Check out all the upcoming events here!
- Nelson Mandela said, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” I think the same can be said for holding a grudge or withholding forgiveness. Forgiveness is so powerful. And yet, often so hard to do. But it’s for you. No one else. Calm.com offers 8 ways to practice forgiveness and let go. Who do you need to forgive?
- Last week I went to an escape room with four other women (three of whom I had never met) and we crushed it! We escaped with a few minutes to spare. It was such a cool reminder of how important in-person connection and play are. If you’re looking for your next team building activity or just a fun afternoon, check out an escape room near you!
ICYMI—Interview with Ann Hiatt
In this episode of The Founder & The Force Multiplier podcast, I interview best-selling author, executive consultant, speaker, and Silicon Valley veteran, Ann Hiatt, on how she has built confidence over the course of her career as a naturally introverted person, and has bet on herself to create breakthrough opportunities in her life, like creating the first Chief of Staff role at Google and now stepping out onto her own as a founder.
Ann has 15+ years of experience reporting directly to high-profile CEOs such as Jeff Bezos of Amazon, and Eric Schmidt of Google and Alphabet. She now consults with CEOs and their leadership teams across the globe on c-suite optimization, has been a featured speaker at major conferences such as SXSW, The Growth Faculty, and the Valencia Digital Summit. Her bestselling book, Bet On Yourself, was published by HarperCollins in 2021.
