Zen to Done Overview

Great visual of the Zen to Done Process - simplify, simplify, simplify

source: http://brainhigh.blogspot.com/2009/12/zen-to-done-mindmap.html?showComment=1451496745096#c3006014696203522539

I've been reading Leo Babauta's Zen to Done over the past few days. I found this outline of his strategy online. I have to admit, it seems quite daunting. Zen to Done focuses on the formulation of 10 habits that help to simplify and streamline your life.

Right now, I am focusing on Collection, Process and Plan. These three seem like they go hand in hand for me. I have some areas where I am already proficient - like "Do". I have not encouraged multitasking in a very long time and compulsively add to-dos to my Outlook task list at work so I can focus on one thing at a time.

Here are my takeaways from these 10 areas and how I plan to implement them over the next year.

1. Collect. 

     You've already seen my little pink notebook that I carry around. Everything I want to do, think about, consume or think I want to touch on later (like in my journal) will be recorded there. 

2. Process

     Twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, I will look over my entries for the day and see if there are any errands, tasks, or notes I want to touch on. This also is something to keep in mind for other areas of my life - such as at work or at home with the mail. (Which reminds me I need to buy a shredder.)

3. Plan

     Using the twice daily review, I will also plan which goals to tackle. My top goals at the moment are waking consistently and then exercising. I view those as my Keystone Goals that drives everything else.

4. Do

     I am strong in this area as I have focused on single-tasking for quite some time. I love to create checklists and check them off one by one, and that drives the bulk of my time at work. I also very much enjoy streamlining processes and documenting them for tweaking later.

5. Simple Trusted System

    This is one thing I struggle with. I am a system hopper. I will focus on steps 1-3 and make sure I don't get it into my head that there is another amazing tool I can use instead.

6. Organize

     As a household, Aaron and I struggle with staying consistent on this. We both need to focus on this. The living room and Dining room are generally fine. It's the kitchen with recycling/dishes that is hard. Both of us have agreed we want to clean the kitchen before going to bed each night. That will help!

7. Review

     This is vital to achieving my 2016 goals. I will be holding weekly review sessions on Sundays and Monthly at the end of each month.

8. Simplify

     I admit this one is hard for me. All of my goals feel equally important, in different ways. I would have to say, I think my first goal of getting enough sleep, eating well and getting exercise will be the most beneficial. When you sleep well, you have energy to focus. If I have energy, that means I'll work on my side business, study for my PMP, and be able to pick up after myself. If I eat well, I will save money immediately (from not eating out) and in the long term (because I will be healthier). I will also fit into the same clothes and not have to go shopping again (well...except for maternity clothes *fingers crossed!*). Exercise hits the same points as eating well (healthier, same clothes, or smaller I guess).

     In summary, Goal #1 will have priority.

9. Routine

     Oh my goodness, I am such a routine geek. I have been trying and trying to get routines down all throughout 2015. So far, I have managed to pair down my makeup routine (10 minutes for full blown fancy look), my shower routine (about 10 minutes. I set the fan timer to 10 and I finish up right about then), my "I'm-home-let-me-set-down-all-my-stuff-and-clean-out-my-lunch-bag" routine.

     Now I want to focus on my 

• wake-up routine: wake up - pop on shoes and go exercise!
• it's 10:30am time to go for a walk routine
• it's 3:30pm time to go for a walk routine
• I just got home from work and put my stuff away, let's make dinner, clean the kitchen, then go for a walk routine
• It's 8:00 and almost time for bed, time for some pilates and a nice foam roll routine
• It's sunday and I want to plan for the week, what food are we making? routine

You know, just to name a few.

10. Find your passion

     This one is an afterthought for me. I think you only find things you enjoy by trying new things, but you have to give them time to show you the good side, the bad side, and the ugly side before you can really make a decision. So, give me 10 years and I'll let you know.

So now, when I touch on ZTD, you have a brief look at what I mean. I'm just trying to get organized in a way that is not overwhelming, one step at a time.