image via D'Arcy Norman
Yesterday I exalted the virtues of Leo Babauta of Zen Habits, and his book The Power of Less. Today, I’m putting into affect two of his practices. {Actually, I put them into affect several days ago. — I’m just blogging about them now.}
One Goal
A key idea in The Power of Less is to ‘focus on one goal at a time to increase your effectiveness with that goal.’ To make the goal attainable, you need to break down the goal into ’sub-goals’. This is not earth-breaking stuff, but Leo’s message is well written and crystal clear:
…you could try to tackle all those goals at once, or take on as many as possible. But that would will dilute your effectiveness. Instead, choose just one, and focus completely on that goal until you can check it off the list.
Leo advises that your goal should be something that will take six months to a year to complete.
Simple Projects List
Another key piece of advice from Leo’s book is to have a Simple Projects List. This would be a list of all your ongoing projects–Anything and everything that will take more than a couple of hours to complete. Once you’ve listed everything, you are to choose only three projects to work on at a time. Only three. Not three from each area of your life. What are you talking about Leo? *cough* Who would do such a thing?! *cough*
image via carbonNYC
Leo advises that you are to complete all three projects before beginning three new projects. This system ensures that each project gets completed. Once you complete all three projects, you can choose three new projects from your Simple Projects List. Leo also advises that at least one of your three projects should be related to your One Goal.
* * * * *
With all this explained, here is my One Goal and my three current projects.
One Goal: To lose weight, once and for all, and to get to my *happy weight*, which is about 15 - 17 lbs lighter than I am now.
Three Projects:
- Lose 10 lbs. by August 29th. (related to One Goal) Project includes daily exercise, healthy eating, trying new recipes, drinking lots of water,…daily diligence. I’m making this a *project* to remind myself that it takes daily effort and commitment. It is not something to be pushed aside to make room for other tasks and obligations. This is important. I am important.
- Make my blog pretty! I’m a very visual person, and the blah-ness of my blog is driving me crazy.
- Wedding-related obligations. I’m not sure if Leo would frown upon this and chide me for stretching this third project, but the fact remains that my sister is getting married at the end of August, and my calendar is full. Therefore, this 3rd project includes several sub-projects:
- Wedding responsibilities
- Bachelorette weekend responsibilities
- Kitchen Tea (for explanation, go here)
This system works for me. What is your goal/project system?
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Have a good day and week Kirwin, I am in a huge hurry (blergh) and can´t even read your post! How awful, but hopefully will soon! Just want to say a big HI !!!
Hi there - found your blog through RML, and really enjoying reading through it. I love lists, too, so this idea immediately appeals - I like the simplicity of it, and also the idea of limiting yourself - I’m guilty of trying to do too much and not achieving any of it!
One goal & three projects. I think I need to wrap my brain around this one a bit more… I know I do feel better about my accomplishments when I start and then finish a project but I get distracted so easily! The finishing part is hard.
These are all wonderful goals, Kirwin. I love Leo’s simplification ideas! There’s a small something on my page for you today, also. I posted this a few weeks ago but felt it needed to be re-tweaked. It’s up and in much better form.
Thanks so much for your lovely posts each week. It’s nice to be included on this journey that is your (amazing) life.
This definitely sounds like a good system, choosing one goal and narrowing it to three projects (I always feel like three is a good, solid, not overwhelming number). As for your blog, I love the simplicity of it. That’s what makes it beautiful!
And my sister just got engaged and is getting married next summer so I’d love to hear some of your sister-of-the-bride stories on your site!
would you be mad if I said - ” I told you so” ?
I had always thought your goal lists were pretty lengthy. This plan seems much more doable and best of all - achievable. I think your blog looks pretty - but I am very particular too on “the look” of my blog so I can relate : )
I like this! I still trying your goal in each Style Statement category, but my goals are much smaller than yours were. I will hopefully be posting them later today. Also, have you seen Gretchen Rubin’s Happiness Project Toolbox? Google it - you may really like it.
@ RML~
No worries, my love. You have so much going on right now…Enjoy this time with your sister!
@ Caroline~
Welcome. I’m so glad you found your way over here. I’m settling in to Leo’s way of doing things, and I’m finding it very calming.
@ Renee~
I know how you feel about “finishing” projects. Very hard to do, but boy does it feel good, when you do!
@ Chania~
Thanks for your email, sweetie. Your words and encouragement is always appreciated over here. Thanks for the ‘little something’ on your site — I’ll go visit right now.
@ PP~
Thanks! Don’t worry — the ‘look’ of my blog will still be simple, with clean lines — I can’t stand a lot of frou-frou… As for your sister getting married, I’ll share! Right now, I’m thinking of ideas for the bachelorette party, and it’s going to be so much fun!! (Not tacky, though — I don’t like penis-straws and such!!)
@ Denise~
How dare you!!! ; )
LOL, I take no offense. I know for a fact that I’m a stubborn girl — just ask my husband! However, I eventually come around when the idea is a good and logical.
@ Zarah~
I have played around a little bit with Gretchen’s HP Toolbox, but only a little bit. Do you use it? It seems like it would be a great way to form a new habit…
I love the 3 goals. I’ve been know to institute 3-goal weekends for my husband and myself — we each pick 3 for ourselves and they go on the whiteboard. And, I didn’t realize it, but when I sit down each morning and write my “to do” list, I write down only 3 things.
A project can also be an “actionable” focus, kwim? Like your sister’s wedding. So it being a goal makes sense to me.
And I see you conquered your Wednesday workout! Love that ~ one step closer. You rock!
Hey Kirwin, I’ve been using the 1 goal and 3 projects idea for a while now and am finding it a really effective approach. It really gives you clarity, stops you feeling overwhelmed and makes a major difference to how quickly you achieve goals. Good luck with it!
It sounds perfect. Unfortunately I think I’d have problems narrowing down the field. Which of the 20 quilt projects should I buckle down and finish? Then there is the furniture I need to refinish…1 trunk, 4 chairs. How about blog posting on a regular basis? Oh yeah, what about finishing that online photoshop class. Oh and I want to study for the GRE so I can apply to school and get a masters degree in marriage and family relations. Then, there is keeping up with my children, making sure my husband doesn’t feel neglected. Oh, what about those jewelry projects I was going to work on after buying all that stuff at the beadshow last Friday? Oh, and of course I have to get my hours in at work… then the yard needs some help, along with the house trim that needs to be replaced. And, thanks for bringing up the weight loss thing.
That was my original goal in January. I lost 15 and gained it all back. This is just my partial goal list…maybe 1 goal at a time would be more productive but which one?
Great advice! Focus really is important. I find that when I’m trying to meet too many different goals at once, my attention really is too scattered to get things done. Thanks for the inspiration today.
Really wonderful post… and a great reminder to take care of ourselves! My post kind of reflects that too about getting a massage… I’m going to try your suggestion! Thank you…
Have a wonderful week end and a fabulous 4th!
~Really Rainey~
I’ve never heard of the Leo idea but I LOVE it. I wonder what goal and 3 projects I can choose. This might be tough to limit myself….must ponder! Thanks for the idea K, now I just need to apply it!
@ Amy~
I love that you schedule 3-goal weekends. That’s right up my alley! It would never work for my husband though — I don’t try to organize him anymore…It just doesn’t work!
@ Sami~
I am loving the 1 goal/3 projects system! Love it.
@ kim~
Welcome! LOL about your comment. I understand where you’re coming from, but I think you should read the book. If anything, if made me feel a sense of relief when I began to realize that I shouldn’t do everything at once!
@ Julia~
Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for always inspiring me. Focus is a very affective tool!
@ Rainey~
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
@ Danica~
The book is such a great read — I highly recommend it! As for your goal…what is the most important thing for you to accomplish right now? — That should be your goal.