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get organi z ed

fer excessively from others’ attempts to take advantage of you. But
generally, others are just trying to do their jobs, and the evil intent
you attribute to them is more revealing of your own insecurity. In
the long run, it’s more practical to face the interruptions for what
they are and deal with them. If we don’t react rationally, events can
easily overwhelm and prevent us from functioning.

Capture the Tasks

Having recognized that we probably have more tasks than time in
which to do them, and that new demands will arise before we’ve had
a chance to finish the old, we need to apply a control mechanism.
Otherwise, current and new tasks will accumulate and become a
crushing obstacle to progress. To control our tasks, we first need to
capture them in a way that is as easy, fast, and painless as possible.
(See Chapter 5, Use the To-Do List Effectively, for another discus-
sion of specific list-making tips.) Many mediums will serve this
purpose: sticky notes or index cards (useful for rearranging things
if there are many), or a notepad (useful to see the big picture at one
glance). Or, you may prefer to do this step in a word processing or
spreadsheet file—whatever is the most natural way to capture all
responsibilities and uncompleted tasks.

This step is going to seem random in part, because it’s essential
to capture all tasks, not just the critical ones, but not in any spe-
cific order. So, once you’ve covered all the projects for which you’re
responsible at work, let the mind wander to extracurricular matters,
and try to capture all of your non-work related tasks. Include every-
thing (this step is not an attempt to prioritize, that comes later). To
the best of your ability, include personal commitments and all those
responsibilities that come with whatever roles you play: spouse
or partner, parent, child, sibling, friend, colleague, team member,
home owner, volunteer, supporter, advisor, contributor, etc. It is cru-
cial to include the continuing long-term obligations as well as the
single near-term tasks. How to capture something as nebulous as

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