DIT and Focus

I’ve often remarked that I’ve never been able to take full advantage of the Do It Tomorrow (DIT) system myself because I am always experimenting with new time management methods. Each time I experiment with a new method I am letting go of DIT itself. The result is that I certainly sympathise with Edison’s famous remark that he had learned 10,000 ways of not making a lightbulb!

I’ve determined however that I am going to make DIT itself the subject of an experiment. What I want to find out is if consistent use of DIT over a relatively long period results in a virtually automatic focusing of one’s energies in the direction that is most profitable (using that word in its widest meaning) - even if one has no idea to start off what that direction might be.

The reason I think this is probably what will happen is that our minds are naturally creative - too creative in the majority of cases. We get sidetracked onto all sorts of fascinating byways, while what we should be focusing on gets neglected. But at the same time that natural creativity will be coming up with many new ways of being more productive. The problem is of course distinguishing which of these creative ideas are sidetracks and which are productive.

If one implements DIT conscientiously - especially the requirement to carry out an audit if one can’t finish the Will Do list for more than a few days running - one is virtually forced to identify what is really important and cut out the rest. My theory is that this will provide a concentrated focus on what is important which will propel us forward!

So I am going to stick to the rules exactly for the next few months and see what happens. Bear in mind that my aim is not to get through all my work but to monitor continually the validity of what that work should be.

Comments

[Dawson]

Mark: I read your DIT book last year and began working with the system only to abandon it and try the Autofocus systems you have created. I am back to trying DIT again. Perhaps I am not understanding the Autofocus system rules, but it seems like DIT creates a more defined closed list of items. I find that the review process is easier for me with a calendar style list that gets trimmed every few days. Deciding not to do an item is almost as important as deciding to do it.

I spend most of my day in appts. out of my office and have little time to get all the little things done. I am finding that having a closed list is really important or I won't ever feel done for the day/week.

I found some entries on your site about DIT2. I read the idea and its seems like you have dropped it. Is that the case?

[Mark Forster]

Dawson:

<< I found some entries on your site about DIT2. I read the idea and its seems like you have dropped it. Is that the case? >>

Yes, it looked promising for a while, but didn't work out.

[Alan Baljeu]

<<my aim is not to get through all my work but to monitor continually the validity of what that work should be.>>

Did you succeed in that?