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November 16, 2005

TIP #38: Stop the Gnawing

"A task left undone remains undone in two places - at the actual
location of the task, and inside your head. Incomplete tasks in
your head consume the energy of your attention as they gnaw at
your conscience. They siphon off a little more of your personal
power every time you delay. No need to be a perfectionist,
that's debilitating in an imperfect world, but it's good to be a
'completionist.' If you start it, finish it - or forget it."

--- Brahma Kumaris

I couldn't agree more. But I've found that I can stop the gnawing if I capture the tasks bouncing around my head.

Do that by getting them down on paper or into a PC log. Capture anything you're thinking about, anything you're needing to do, anything you're worried about doing or anything you're trying to remember to do. Put it down. Then set up a reminder system and the saved gnaw energy can be put into task completion.

David Allen is considered a productivity guru. I've found his work insightful. You may want to check out his book.

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Check out Nan's life reflections column, In the Scheme of Things.

Posted by Nan Russell at November 16, 2005 09:19 AM