To-Do Lists

For the last few months due to the crazy schedule that my current project is on I have less and less time to take care of personal stuff. As I think I have mentioned a few times in previous blogs. Not that I am complaining. I really enjoy being busy and having a lot to do. But I find it funny because my life is beginning to look like a series of To-Do lists. During the week I have a to-do list of client service activities, consulting activities, and a few personal activities. On the weekends I have to-do lists for social activities, things to do around the house, honey dos, and personal to-do lists. I have so many lists of things to do I actually started keeping online to-do lists on Google. The problem is that they never seem to move.

This is amusing because, as anyone who knows me, I like to plan. But lately my plans have just simply been to knock a couple things off the list at a time! So what do these wonderful lists look like? Well for a typical work day I will have to, run reports for the management team, administer the testing software we are using (make changes to accounts, problem solve, maintain the overall structure), build plans and schedules for the day/week/month/cycle of work, train people, create process documentation, attend meetings to make general project decisions, analyze a data for a number of reasons, change values in various tables, and so on.

The activities above are the client service activities, at the same time my firm requires I do a certain number of firm activities so I general have a parallel list to work from that includes things like: time and expense, arranging my travel, setting up my hotel, filling out evaluations (of myself, of others, of firm initiatives, of firm resources, etc), filling out administrative paper work for benefits, create materials for the knowledge management system, create materials for local groups, recruit, make presentations about the firm or firm activities, network (though this is normally more fun than a bother but it does take time), respond to requests for information, create materials for pursuit work (sales), taking online trainings, etc.

All of the items above are constantly being rehashed on a weekly basis and I have to manage the lists separate as Client service always comes first, but a lot of advancement hinges on firm activities so they can not be neglected. So after 50 hours of client service work I can generally expect 5 – 10 hours of firm administration.

On the weekends the do lists are normally better. Mostly consisting of people to try and visit with, things to do, and house work. I wonder though if this is how many other people manage their own lives, with a list of things that need to be taken care of. I don’t remember having lists until I bought a house, or if I did they weren’t very long. I also wonder if other people have a list of things they want to do in their lives as well. I always have in my mind a long list of places to see, things to do, and activities I want to try. I have never writen it down have heard of very famous people that have. I might have to start. I know I'll add that to my list of things to do... Hah

It does seems though that the older I get the more I have to do and the less time I have to do it! Though once this project winds down and I get another night at home and a day in the local office things should be easier to maintain. But doubt that my lists will disappear anytime soon!