- It's important to keep your mind free and clear of all the many to-dos in your life. Sometimes these to-dos are items that aren't necessary, or you haven't yet fully committed to them. In my course, Time Management Fundamentals, I recommend you put these uncommitted ideas into what I call the perhaps list. The perhaps list is a reservoir of ideas, opportunities, and actions that you might do someday. This list allows us to free up our schedule for the things that's we're truly committed to doing.
But it leaves a question Time Management Fundamentals' students ask me, "What do we do with this growing perhaps list?" First, it's essential you have one and only one place for all these perhaps list items. I find the most convenient place for this is in a digital notepad, such as Microsoft OneNote or Evernote. I have one digital notebook within OneNote that is designated for perhaps list items.
Some people prefer a manila-type folder where they just put in handwritten notes. Whatever you choose, keep them all in one place. Next, we want to have a recurring schedule to review that perhaps list. This may vary from person to person. I find about once every three months is more than enough for me. Schedule this perhaps list review as a recurring appointment in your calendar. I find that it doesn't take long to review my entire perhaps list, maybe 30 minutes at most.
Then, when the appointment arrives, pull open that folder you created, and just sort of browse through the items. Glance at them one by one, looking for answers to three questions. For example, let's say that I had a perhaps list item that said create a new website to sell my services. Question one, did I already complete this? That may sound strange because the perhaps list is technically the place where you're supposed to put things that you're not going to do anything about, but I've found it's very common to have ideas that you put on the perhaps list magically get completed.
Maybe it's because life suddenly made it a priority or that you had forgotten about it and then found new energy to follow through on that wonderful idea that you had. If you already completed it, delete it from your perhaps list. Question two, am I willing to take action on this? To make this idea a reality, you must have some desire to complete it. If the desire isn't there yet, such as I don't have a strong enough reason to create the website in my example, then there's no need to force things.
Just leave it on the perhaps list, and move to the next item listed. Question three, does completing this item support my most valuable activities? There are a variety of things that you can do with your time, but only one or two are truly most valuable. Your success is determined by your ability to stay focused on those one or two things. So if the item doesn't directly support them, maybe it's best to just leave it on the list for now.
If it turns out that it does support your most valuable activities, then simply move that item from your perhaps list into a gathering point. A gathering point is a place like your email inbox or your physical inbox. You'll process those items following the system I've outlined in Time Management Fundamentals. In this way, we move from just having an idea to acting upon it. One last piece of advice, when reviewing the perhaps list, saying no is always an option.
In fact, I believe it's the best option. Leaving items on the perhaps list is something you should do more often than not. I have ideas that I have left in my perhaps list for more than 10 years. For example, I mention in my Small Business Secrets course I had a wonderful business idea of creating a reverse Benihanas, where cowboys cook steaks in front of Japanese business men in Tokyo. It's a great idea! And so I captured it. But am I ready to take action upon it? No, now is not the right time.
And it may never be the right time because it's so far outside of my most valuable activities. So perhaps you'll beat me to the punch. The perhaps list gives you all the freedom and space to look at every wonderful idea objectively and then only pick them up when you're ready to take decisive action, when they support what makes you valuable.
Author
Updated
4/15/2019Released
4/11/2016Productivity expert Dave Crenshaw provides techniques on a wide variety of topics, designed to help people better manage their time and ultimately become more productive. Tune in to learn about everything from managing emails and calendars to setting priorities, collaborating with coworkers, reducing interruptions, crafting a "productivity mindset," and creating a more comfortable and effective work environment.
Have an idea for a future video from Dave? Submit it using our course feedback form. If you want more time management strategies now, we recommend watching Dave's Time Management Fundamentals course.
- Reducing interruptions
- Dealing with feeling overwhelmed
- Responding to quick questions
- Making the most of meetings
- Following up
- Implementing a closed door, open calendar policy
Skill Level Intermediate
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Introduction
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Welcome43s
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1. Time Management Tips
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Power tips for sending email3m 14s
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Positive procrastination3m 15s
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Remove the "busy" tag2m 58s
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Manage digital interruptions4m 19s
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Make the most of meetings2m 52s
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Follow up on delegated items2m 58s
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Become tech savvy4m 33s
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Focus on the person2m 37s
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Time management for students2m 59s
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Ending meetings with action1m 44s
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Building a not-to-do list2m 46s
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Avoiding the crowd mindset2m 58s
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Placing a value on your time3m 30s
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How to schedule a meeting3m 35s
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How to develop flexibility4m 19s
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The trouble with texting3m 48s
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Create a perhaps list4m 58s
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Reduce attention switches4m 46s
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Adapt your favorite app4m 33s
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Make time to get more time3m 49s
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Read vs. unread email3m 52s
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Make time to have fun3m 57s
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Create a morning ritual3m 23s
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When to create new homes3m 26s
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How to reduce spam3m 48s
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Why repetition saves time2m 48s
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Productive passwords2m 3s
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Productive web browser tips1m 51s
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Writing a productive email1m 55s
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Commit to your calendar1m 54s
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What to say instead of ASAP1m 46s
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Set voicemail expectations1m 43s
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Set email expectations1m 46s
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How to use an inbox1m 41s
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How to use an outbox1m 53s
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Video: Create a perhaps list