Swap Task Lists for Action Tracking: Live Deliberately

Instead of spending time micromanaging your future, try just recording what you're up to right now.

Time spent often translates quickly into results, so recording actions is a great way to reach goals. Bonus: It helps you live in the moment to record what you are doing.

Quick Start
Record what you intend to do next, for how long and the start time.

Example: 7-5-16 Exercise for 20 minutes 9:33am -_____.

At the end of the day, you'll have a reviewable document to see what you decided to spend time on. There's no need to review it or even to keep the page or file. As long as you're recording them, your actions will be deliberate.

If you are among those who like to keep track of progress, consider hi-lighting in color code, keeping categories loose and colors few.

Example: healthy choices, living the dream, being responsible, trying new things.

Hi-lighting the times you worked towards your big picture goals makes it easy to give yourself credit for how much time you are doing what you told yourself you should. It feels amazing to be exceeding your goals, especially when they feel fresh.

Cute little egg timers and nifty stop watches pair well with this style of tasklistless goal keeping, though you certainly don't need them. It can be fun to try to complete certain tasks quickly and timers have the added benefit of reminding you that you were supposed to be focusing on something in a room you have left.

Bonus: You can turn your action tracker into a constant celebration by making a point of noting the coolest little thing you noticed as it was happening. Perhaps the sun came out or a random thought led to a great idea. Celebrating regularly and appreciating the little things are among the most worthwhile activities imaginable.

To record daily checklist items such as drinking water, I'd recommend a free printable or clipping an index card to the corner of your action tracker. Avoid too much meticulousness or review as this kind of focus has a procrastinating effect, regardless of intent.

Time spent writing down what needs to be done could be spent diving in, discovering obstacles sooner and making strategic adjustments. There's something that feels comfortingly productive about scheduling and writing check lists, but it also creates stress and can make you feel hesitant to seize opportunities because you feel so booked.

Word to the wise: keep it light, aim to evolve, grow what's working, refuse to agree with your inner bully, and use your down time actually relaxing.