Mark Forster and Time Management
Mark Forster has a new method of time management, using the concepts of “Thought – Decision – Action” or “Stimulus – Response.” These are wonderful, new, useful concepts.
I read about a really cool site Get Everything Done (http://www.markforster.net/) so I went and checked it out. Mark Forster has 3 books (at least) and numerous articles about various ways to tackle life so that we may be the person we really want to be. Time management and organization can be the foundation for what we want to do with our lives. Yesterday I read the first chapter of a book that was a big WOW for me … keeping reading to find the change in vision that chapter gave me.
Dreamscape III, Digital © Diane Clancy
I used to be very effective at getting enormous amounts of things done … often feeling pretty relaxed. But circumstances have changed and many readers of this blog knew I have been in an overwhelm mode for way too long. This first chapter (never mind the whole book) has given me a life-line to get back my serene, creative, joyful self!
The key – we each have two parts of ourselves … part of our brain uses “Thought – Decision – Action” and another part of our brain that acts from “Stimulus – Response.” I have been on automatic coming from Stimulus – Response. Working with these two principles is his new system of time management. You can read the first chapter for free right here.
It has been very helpful to me today. I can see the places I am still being reactive to stimulus around me. And I was also able to stay focused a chunk of the day. I have been tangling with taxes and other financial details that I need to do. I guess I am tired enough still that it is being difficult, but I did stay focused and got a lot done anyway.
I think I can go quite a distance playing with these ideas to help me get back on track. Mark has this fantastic list of tasks and he asks us to decide whether they are “Thought – Decision – Action” or “Stimulus – Response.” I was surprised by some of the answered but it sure helped me GET the idea!! He has lots of resources on his website – definitely worth checking out!
What do you think? How do you manage your time? Are you on track? What needs to change for you? Thank you so much for coming by!
~ Diane Clancy
Technorati Tags: Dreamscape, Diane Clancy, vibrant colorful painting, Get Everything Done, Mark Forster, time management
Hi Diane,
Interesting article and first chapter ! Of course I went right to reading it after receiving your blog – and found out that was due to my “stimulus-response” brain !! Now I’m commenting, I guess that’s my rational brain?? Now maybe I’ll get dressed and work on my project. I’m enjoying your blogs !
On Facebook Staci Rose wrote:
Beautiful piece…truly stunning!
Hi Kate – glad you like the info .. I too found it interesting .. and yes, so much Stimulus – Response!!
Hi Staci – thank you for your comment … I was feeling unsure about this image so your comment brightened me up! Thanks!
~ Diane
If you’d like a tool for managing your time and projects, you can use this web application:
http://www.Gtdagenda.com
You can use it to manage and prioritize your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version is available too.