One non-negotiable thing

Even the most perfectly planned days are susceptible to being derailed by the arising of unexpected responsibilities, or by an underestimation of just how long something was going to take (see: Hofstadter’s law).

You do what you can but you can’t do it all (most days at least).

So what should one do?

Two things.

Firstly, accept that some important things just aren’t going to happen — at least not on the day you expect them to.

Secondly, whittle down your list of important things to one non-negotiable thing daily.

While you will aspire to do everything on your list that day, this is the one thing that you’re going to fight for no matter what life happens to throw at you that day.

On the surface, this might seem like a paltry resolution…just one thing, really?

If you expand the scope to two things, the chances of neither of them getting done increases. If you increase it to three things, the chances become even greater.

It’s only when you pour your focus into ensuring just one thing gets done that very few things stand a chance of getting in the way.

So yes, one thing — really.

Regardless of how you plan your day or what system you use, ask yourself what your one thing is and earmark it. Write it in bold, highlight it…scribble it on your palm.

Put it in sight and in mind, and fight for it.

More often than not, you will get it done.