Great news – you’ve eliminated the distraction of all the thoughts running around in your head. Whenever the next great idea (or bright shiny object) pops into your head – you no longer go off on a tangent. Now, you jot that idea down into your parking lot and continue to focus on the task at hand.
(Getting value from this post? Leave a comment below!!!)
(Wondering what a parking lot is? Check out the previous post!)
However, you now have this L O N G list of random items parked on a sheet of paper – or a dozen of Post-It notes on your desk. What should you do?
I know what you are thinking – we overcome one obstacle only to create another!? (Yes, this is another post inspired by the great Delia Rusu!)
The answer – prioritize!
Just because you wrote an item down, doesn’t mean you actually should spend time on the task. The parking lot is a place to gather random, distracting thoughts. Not a new “To-Do” list.
Look at each new action item sitting in your parking lot. Then ask yourself the following questions:
- Is this task in line with my values, goals, and dreams?
- Is this task something only I CAN do?
- Is this task something only I SHOULD do?
If you answered no to question #1 – delete this item. If the task isn’t in line with your values, goals, and dreams . . . why would you do it?
If you answered no to #2 or #3 – find an awesome, fabulous person to delegate to! (If you struggle with delegating, here are some helpful strategies!)
Ideally, if you answer YES to all three questions – you only have 1 or 2 items remaining in your parking lot. Add these parked items to your master to do list.
Seems pretty straightforward, right? (As long as you take the time to actually ask yourself these 3 questions!!!)
What other questions do you use when prioritizing?
What process do you use with the tasks in your parking lot?
What stumbling block do you come across throughout your day?
Please, share below!
The parking lot idea sounds like an interesting way to keep track of things that need to be done. I’m not very good with random bits of paper though since they always seem to go missing! I’ve gotten in to the habit of carrying around a small note pad with me all the time that I can jot down notes in and when it comes time to prioritize I write down my items in different colours depending on how immediately they need to be completed. When something on the list gets to RED I know that it’s really time to focus on that one until it gets done.
Sarah –
I love the idea of keeping all your thoughts on one note pad. I keep multiple to-do lists (one for the computer, one for errands, one for each project, etc.) and keep all the lists in a folder. Otherwise, I find I’m looking everywhere for the “other” list! Once you find a process that works – AWESOME!
What’s your strategy for maintaining focus on the RED items?
Lisa
Yes, these are awesome tips for staying on task! SO important!!
Emily –
Thanks for the kudos and the comment! What tip do you find most helpful?
Lisa
This is a great followup to the distractions post Lisa. I’ve been using the parking lot to tag ideas and url’s while researching for blog post ideas, putting them into notes in Evernote, knowing they’re sitting waiting for when I am ready rather than floating away
Lorelle
Thanks for updating me on your progress!!! I’m so excited to know you’ve been having success managing your distractions! I’d love, love, love it if you would stop back and update me on this technique for managing the items in the parking lot!
Lisa
I get where you are coming from…I soon realized that all that ran through my head, did not need to be done. or if it did it was usually a priority…it just needed to get out of my head so could do what I need too. I like the parking lot concept.
Margaret –
Exactly!! Just because you write it down – it doesn’t mean you have to do it! I’m so glad you have this awareness! Once those distracting thoughts are out of your head – it’s so much easier to focus on your #1 priority!
Lisa
I make lists and lists and more lists and I have a hard time letting them go – but then just as you said I start to feel overwhelmed! Thank you for the three questions. I will definitely give them a try.
-Cheryl
Cheryl –
Thanks for stopping by! Which of the 3 questions do you find have the most impact for you? I find “Is this task in line with my dreams and goals?” is the one question that can knock the largest number of items off my list.
Lisa
Thanks for answering my question, Lisa!
I have way too many notes and I need to clean them up so I ca focus on what needs to be done. Otherwise I have the feeling of that thought hanging in my head as something “in-progress”.
Delia –
You are most welcome! Thanks for asking such a thought provoking question! I find it helpful to “redo” my task list once a week. My priorities shift – new important items come into play. I set aside about 2 hours at the end of the week to finish little things, and set my agenda for the next week. This helps me with the “in-progress . . . hanging over my head” feeling!
Lisa
The parking lot idea is genius! I’ll do this method to help me organize my tasks.
Great post! I’ve always had troubles with the busy brain so I’ve learned to make lists. I keep a notebook handy and write everything down. I love your advice that it doesn’t necessarily become a to-do list! I need to remember that. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with how long my list is getting. Thanks!
Amanda –
Thanks for stopping by! It’s taken awhile for me to realize that my parking lot wasn’t necessarily a new to-do list . . . I’m so thrilled you can learn from my experience! Best of luck with the UBC!
Lisa
[…] your head. Then, once you finish the task at hand, go back to the ideas in your parking lot and decide what to do with them. From a time management and choice management stand point, this is a much […]
[…] As faithful readers of this blog know, when it comes to mental distractions – I am a HUGE believer in the Parking Lot as a solution to reduce (or possibly eliminate) this area as an interruption. When a random idea pops into your head while you are applying diligent focus to the task at hand, jot it down onto a piece of paper. You are “parking it” for later. Once you finish the current task, you can then look at the items you’ve parked in the parking lot. (Wondering what to do with these items? Read this!) […]