Making Lists

The last week's Inbox blog entry has got unusually high number of reads. I have to admit is is often a revelation for me to see how the very simple basic ideas can be game changers for others. Which is good and I will be coming back to the self - organization subject from time to time. Today it will be a follow up to the recently very popular Richard Branson's top 10 tips for success, who's #6 is making lists.

I've been making lists for all my life (almost). Lists are complementary to Inbox management. Inbox is reactive, about what you know to be done and Inbox management is about pushing the things to be done. But Inbox does not tell you anything about what has not been initiated or has been simply forgotten.

The very common mistake people do in an organization is they do not make lists or notes. They love talking about things: we could do this, we could do that, competition is stupid, we will conquer the Earth, it is easy and so on. And then they clap down their laptops, leave the conference room and go home or to another meeting. And none of the ideas discussed are reforged into actions. Time and effort is lost.

Lists are actionable items. Inbox management is reactive (responding to others' actions). Lists are where the action begins. Sounds so simple but is not. I'm rewinding the memories of the company back to July 2011 when we were officially founded. And the most common picture is me standing with a marker by a board, everybody else sitting on sofas and watching. Yes, I've been making lists for all my life. They are the most important instrument to initiate the actions. Take a pen and start writing!