Being intentional is a skill, and, like any skill, if you want to develop it, you need to practice.  It is so easy to fall into a routine, whether it’s productive or not.  One needs to be intentional in reviewing: “Is this actually helpful and am I doing this for a reason that will help me meet my goals and/or my company’s goals?”  If not, you need to step back and re-evaluate.

Working on the operations side, there are many distractions that come up during the day and can easily lead me off task.  Because I like variety and to start projects I am easily tempted to move from one task to another. Before I know it I can have 10 tasks up and none of them completed.

What helps me is to have a good system in place.  For me/us, this was a project management program.  We found a program that helps each of us manage what is on our plates and our teammates’ plates.  Here is where the intentionality comes in.  Rather than tackling a new task as it comes in, I record it within the program.  This helps satisfy the variety aspect in that I switched gears briefly, and then I’m back to the task at hand.

In any given day, there can be multiple tasks that need my attention with their own details and due dates.  I, unfortunately, cannot recall all of these things on my own anymore – darn age thing.  Therefore, having all the data I need in one organized place is just what I need.  I can see what needs to be completed today, this week, etc. Then, I can prioritize my day and week and re-prioritize as I add in new items.  I don’t have to rely on my memory for the 50+ things I need to do this week, when they are due and where to find the details.

What system do you use to keep track of your tasks, projects, goals, etc?