Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

A phrase to add to every assignment or action item or anything that goes on a “to do” list.

Years ago, author and consultant Jerry Weinberg gave an assignment to attendees of his writing seminar. It was something like:

1. Think of what you should write today.
2. Write that.
3. Do that tomorrow, too.

The third step is the key. It keeps me doing what it is I should be doing. There are many variations to this, but all of them shine when the third step is included. For examples:

1. Think of a person you should encourage today.
2. Encourage that person,
3. Do that tomorrow, too.

and…

1. Find a mental exercise that improves your fill-in-the-blank.
2. Do that mental exercise.
3. Do that tomorrow, too.

and…

1. Find a person you should hug today.
2. Hug that person.
3. Do that tomorrow, too.

and…well, we could go on. Please go on. …and do that tomorrow, too.