How do you make sure that you get your most essential tasks done each week?

LT John Chang — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:37:03 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2016 4:43 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:43:06 -0400

Do them as early as possible in the day and with consistency. Good to see you here again, sir. I haven't seen you in a while.

Response by TSgt William Meyer made Jun 13 at 2016 4:53 PM

TSgt William Meyer — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 16:53:02 -0400

since I have PTSD and TBI I use a weekly calendar and post it notes on my computer and around the house. Sticking to the same routine helps too.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2016 5:55 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 17:55:28 -0400

I keep a task list and focus on what is a priority, and I set it as a goal to complete one before I start another one. Sometimes I get derailed off a one task, but I do not beat myself up about it. Even if I do not finish the tasks for that day, I ask myself "Did I do the best I could in the circumstances I am in?" Yes - then it will be alright, and I will start again tomorrow.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 13 at 2016 6:23 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 18:23:04 -0400

the old fashioned way I write it down

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 13 at 2016 7:13 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 19:13:18 -0400

I make lists of important tasks. Sometimes, I even write down the things my wife wants done.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2016 9:03 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 21:03:12 -0400

LT John Chang Sir, each day, work on essential tasks first based on priority.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 14 at 2016 12:16 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 00:16:36 -0400

Normally my wife reminds me every 6 months of the essential task I have not yet compleated, I pick one of those and complete it. If Im feeling froggy, i screw with teh system and pick a random task in the 4-6 weeks overdue list and complete it as well.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 14 at 2016 8:16 AM

1LT William Clardy — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 08:16:02 -0400

By keeping my list of "most essential tasks" severely prioritized:
1) Eat health-inducing food
2) Practice healthy sex
3) Sleep as necessary
4) Do laundry as needed, underwear and socks take precedence.
5) Exercise by practicing healthy sex.
6) Resolve unnecessary conflicts.
7) Reduce blood pressure by practicing....

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Jun 14 at 2016 10:38 AM

MSG Pat Colby — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:38:47 -0400

My primary essential tasks are fairly routine now that I'm retired. We have a small fixer-upper acreage. (Think Green Acres) We raise and butcher our own chicken and pigs. We also have a garden that's about the size of a city lot. 4th of July is always jelly making weekend. (That's when my Mulberry trees are usually ripe.) Canning the stuff from the garden happens as the produce gets ripe. After a few years of trial and error, I have those time-lines pretty much on glide.

I have 2 rituals every year ~
Every Spring I remove my wedding ring and mix a few strong drinks and wander around the property and write down a list of "stuff" to get done. After I sober up, I determine the 3 most important things from that list. The list gets posted in the barn and I refer to it regularly throughout the Summer.

After Hog butcher day, I put my wedding ring back on and put the blade on my snow plow truck. That's the cue to start the list for the indoor projects for the Winter. Again this involves a couple of strong drinks and wandering around in circles in the house with a list. The list goes on the fridge door.

All projects have realistic times for completion. Baby steps are getting us there a bit at a time. I have to factor in weather and take into account that my shoulder will pop out of socket at anytime and lay me up for a couple of weeks.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2016 10:41 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 10:41:11 -0400

I used to rely on my wife until I landed my first job in sales right out of the military. I met a pretty awesome guy in our company who took me under his wing and showed me how to keep myself balanced. Now I actually keep an hourly schedule to keep myself on task. There are also apps on your cell phone that you can download, the really good ones will even trigger alarms to remind you of task deadlines but they cost money. My recommendation is to start going day by day and writing down a list and using good old fashioned backwards planning. If you need to get serious and buy an app then that is another option that will work. Hope this helps!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 14 at 2016 1:36 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 13:36:14 -0400

Create a priority list.