Monday, April 28, 2008

Problem Solving: NLP:2 Things Per Day

I've been thinking about NLP:RD and NMRLP:RD and why I'm just not feeling it anymore.

I've also been toodling around online and somewhere I saw that a to-do list shouldn't have more than 2 things on it.

Now this totally contradicts my own list theory, where one lists everything one can possibly think of, taking as much time to make the lists and to re-categorize the lists and organize the lists as humanly possible, in order to avoid actually doing anything on the list.

As much fun as this is, it is entirely ineffective.

SO, the new NLP:RD is to do 2 things per day.

That's it, two things. And two things that suck on Wednesdays, because Work It Out Wednesday was pretty effective.

So same amount of drinking, 2 things accomplished per day, 2 suckier things accomplished on Wednesday, whatever counts, no guilt as long as you can say you've accomplished 2 things.

I really like this idea. I will not be giving up my crazy lists, as ineffective as they are. They bring me great comfort and joy, but will be considered more of a recreational hobby than an actual plan to accomplish stuff.

Okay, who's with me? What two things are you doing today?

1. Order  enlargements (I know, still not done. You don't even want to know.)
2. Editing last client shoot.

It's really hard to keep it to two things. I will admit I have a whole page devoted to lists on my netvibes thing. But it's just TODAY, THIS WEEK, SOON, ONE DAY (that last one is more of a life's list of things to do that I'm working on now, fun stuff).

I'll just have the top two things in the TODAY list be my "MUST DO"s and then the rest is all bonus stuff that I'll feel really proud of accomplishing. Above and beyond sort of stuff. Suggestions for the use of the rest of my time. No guilt though.

This should work, right? It's fool proof. And cheater proof. Or actually cheater friendly which I guess is more my style.

So I spent most of my morning working on my new NLP:2TPD and the organization of said plan...this is time well spent, right?

16 comments:

Melodie said...

Seriously? You want me to do TWO things per day? I was proud of myself if I accomplished ONE thing per day. Wait, can one of the two things be getting dressed? If so, I think this may work out for me.

Anonymous said...

Okay, so can two loads of laundry be my two things? Or since I have many loads to do, but it's only listed one time as laundry, it only counts as one thing? I'm confused on that... Is that cheating?

Life, Love And Lola said...

I like this plan. Glad we're still keeping with the same amount of drinking. I already ran this morning...just one thing left to do. Right?

dannibanani said...

I liked the NLP:RD, where I could do 1 thing and drink, and still feel like I did something ;)

So if I do the dishes AND wipe the counters, that counts right?

Unknown said...

Yes, getting dressed totally counts as one thing. I just showered and am basking in the glow of accomplishing a BONUS item.

Two loads of laundry being two things is pushing it. Technically it's only "laundry", but you make the rules.

Unknown said...

Or, you could go (figuratively) naked and just wing it. Like the rest of us. Figuratively. It's way more fun that way.

Unknown said...

No, no, no, this is WAY easier than NLP: RD. Terms like "tidy up" could mean doing all kinds of stuff, like a really long list.

Doing the dishes and wiping the counters would be two things. If you were really ambitious that could be "kitchen" and you could do one more thing, but then you would be heading into "above and beyond" territory.

And if you went naked, you'd have to find something else to accomplish, something other than "getting dressed". Although I guess you could replace "getting dressed" with something fun like "catching up on Real Housewives". So (figuratively) you could go naked and watch "Real Housewives" and STILL only have one other thing to do before calling it a day.

If you fit in your drinking WHILE you were watching Real Housewives (figuratively naked), that's two things for sure. Two birds with one stone there.

This is my best plan ever.

Joy said...

So I have accomplished my two things and it is only 1:20 I just showered and got into actual clothes instead of work out pants! WOO HOO

Wendy Baubach said...

sooooo...if I got in the car and came to work today..(also dropped the kids off at school which can be considered bonus points) does that mean I can just go on home in 30 minutes when I get off work and leave the kids at school until 2-morrow? Because I am worn out, need a drink, and the kids are just going to make me do stuff against my will **whine**....

AFRo said...

Does going to work count? Cause I REALLY need for that to count as one thing.

Anonymous said...

I started reading your blog a couple of weeks ago and started at the very first post and I am proud to say I have finally caught up!! Now I guess I have to start following the NLP... 2 things a day... hmmm... Does reading your blog count as 1??

Mandy said...

So I just started reading your blog and I LOVE it! Hilarious! I have the same question as dore - does reading your blog count as one? I am "working from home today" which was supposed to be my way of accomplishing my LONG to do list but I like this accomplish 2 things per day much better. I haven't really been doing anything except procrastinating anyway - does that count as 1 thing if I write it on my list?

Anonymous said...

I saw this icon and instantly thought of Big Kid... http://s264.photobucket.com/albums/ii182/AnimeDeath54321
/Icons/?action=view¤t=1533589.jpg

Unknown said...

YES! I am on board. This is how I have been able to keep up with the Progress, not Perfection. Each day I arrive at my desk and list three things to do. Then I don't have to feel guilty about the rest of the day because the three most important things get accomplished, as long as I stay on task. (actually they are not always the most important things, sometimes they are the most fun things).

Progress!

the mom said...

count me in ashley. as long as 1. getting dressed and 2. going into work count as my 2 things. Then everything else I do earns me bonus point. WOOT.

Renee said...

Buttercup is an overachiever. Three things per day? This reminds me a little bit of that part in There's Something About Mary where the psycho hitchhiker announces his plan to make millions with 7 Minutes Abs, because it's even better than 8 Minute Abs. Actually, now that I write that out, I'm not sure why this reminds me of that....I guess 'cuz of the numbers, and people like Buttercup trying to one-up the rest of us by adding one number. Three things, eh, Buttercup? Okay, I'll see your 3 things...and I'll raise you 1. I'm going to do FOUR things each day. Put that in your pipe and smoke it! Tomorrow I'm gonna work out (personal trainer - I am on my way to achieving my weight loss goals in my post-birthday New Year!!), get my son to and fro preschool, move a bunch of books from our office upstairs to our game room, and remember to wish my husband a happy birthday. There we go - 4 things! :)

-The Renee