Why I’ve ditched the to do list

The arrival of a baby, together with the unpredictable and unexacting demands that go with the territory, has brought about a re-evaluation of existing time management practices for Flying Solo editor, Sam Leader.

Now, when baby’s asleep and something needs doing, I’m prone to just do it. Instead of thinking “This room needs a vacuum” I’ll get the vacuum cleaner out and do it. As soon as I think “I must return that phone call”, I make the call. I have a new respect for time, which means procrastinating is a thing of the past. There’s something satisfying about cutting out the middle step of a to-do list. Doing, rather than planning to do, sees me carry an air of ruthless efficiency and it certainly feels as if I rip through some tasks in record time.

Part of the problems of effective time management are not only the issues of procrastination and indecision, but ironically, the process of planning one’s use of time. Planning is a waste of yet more time.

Is, er, having no time whatsoever in fact the best way to go about getting things done then!?