The undisciplined person's guide to process, intention and getting things done.

Good Morning 7.05 am

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one. –Mark Twain

 

This evening my 13year old son and I spoke about the maths test he has in three days. I asked him what five steps he would have to take to be prepared for the test. He came up with four: bring the textbook home, go on the internet, ask for help, and complete the classwork. I asked him what five steps he would have to take to make sure the book comes home. He said, check the diary, put a sticky note on the locker door, and write on the hand.

That's eight steps, and time will tell if eight steps are enough in this case.

I was a startled to see how many steps were required to bring something into being, to realise a simple idea. And I saw how difficult high school must be for a boy who does not naturally think like this, as many don't.

As it happens I am not a process person either. From a Myers-Briggs point of view, I am INFP and very Big Picture in my preoccupations, as is my son.

I have never consciously taught myself process as I am now teaching John. But over the years I have learnt some skills.The best things I know to do are:

 form an intention
take the first step
 and give myself permission to walk away.

This is an improvement on my past 'practices':

get disorganised
 get anxious
criticise myself
compare myself unfavourably with a disciplined person
wonder why I'm not disciplined
look for somehing to blame
 plan a strategy for developing discipline.

The strategies never worked, because they were not natural to me. 

I don't rely on discipline. I rely on passion.

I know myself.

What a relief.

So here are six things the undisciplined person can do to get things done:

1. Find the passion.

2. Form the intention.
3. Visualise the process and the outcome

4. Commit to the first step.

5. Commit to the first fifteen minutes.

6. Give herself permission to walk away

Be alert and make no effort

 

Yesterday, I bought this beautiful sugar bowl made by Lynley Northcott, a Melbourne potter, at the Warrandyte Pottery Expo. I thought it'd make a nicer evening picture than the heavy steady tropical rain outside tonight.

Good Night 10.15pm