The Real Purpose of Your To-Do List

June 5, 2019

to-do list

You think it’s to Get Stuff Done, right? Wrong. That’s actually a by-product of a well-done system. 

I’ve had to learn this the hard way, so hear me out…

First, basic systems theory states that the purpose of a system is not the design of a system. The purpose of a system is determined by its actual use and results. 

The result of a to-do list is not actually getting things done because sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn’t (am I right?)… BUT what is guaranteed from a well-structured system is a CLEAR VIEW OF THE TRUTH. 

That means, a clear view of:

**What’s actually getting done.

**What’s getting stuck

**What you’re waiting on from other people

**What is getting neglected. 

**What lingers for weeks and months

A great system shows you the truth in a fast snapshot. And then it’s your choice what you do with that truth. 

Oddly, the result is peace, because it all becomes conscious. There’s no more “I forgot” no more “They never got back to me.” No more “What the heck did I even do this week?” 

Do you have a system? “All change starts with the truth.” – Dan Sullivan