Like the hard drive in your computer, the human brain can only hold a limited amount of information in your short term memory.  Everyday, I find that there are more and more things filling up that short term memory, like remembering to; pay that utility bill, book the car in for a service,  responding to a new client inquiry email, or updating my website.  All of these things require thought and time to complete, even if it’s literally only 5 minutes or less.

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Now I’m a huge believer in the good old, “to-do” list, I use them lots and they are great for organizing your thoughts (providing you take action on these lists) but I have found a notable flaw in the system.  Yes you can write down what you plan to do and have every intention of doing it, but the to-do list lacks accountability and motivation of completion.  Have you ever seen the same item on your to-do list day after day, sometimes week after week?  It has definitely happened to me…and on top of that, even though it’s written down, it still fades in and out of your thoughts, so the whole time it remains incomplete, you’re thinking about how you’re going to do this task but not yet, you will, soon.  Meanwhile you’re acquiring more and more tasks to complete and things to remember but there’s no room left in that brain of yours, it’s enough to drive you crazy : ) So how can we maintain focus and ensure ourselves maximum available memory capacity???!!!

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I introduce to you my one-time-touch-tactic!

Every time a task enters my head and or hands, IMMEDIATELY I will take action, complete the the task to the best of my abilities and release it from my thoughts and the confines of my sometimes diehard to-do list.  Instead of picking up that bill that’s due several times, looking at it and thinking, ah not yet, and setting it right back down…you can pick it up once, complete it, and then file it away for good!  Now you can have room to remember that…hey…it’s our anniversary today honey!

Don’t get me wrong, I love the to-do lists and promote their usage, but next time you’re about to write something down on that list…stop ask yourself, can I do it now?!

So let me ask you this…be honest with me what is the longest time you think a task has ever stayed on your to-do list?

Thanks for letting me share my passion with you, and as always, thanks for the feedback!