- A Squared: Authentic Austin
- Posts
- Try This: Clearing the Deck with the 4 Ds
Try This: Clearing the Deck with the 4 Ds
Yash from Authentic Austin
October 01, 2024
🏃🏾♂️Try This
This upcoming week, set aside 10 minutes in a quiet space with your to-do list and a journal.
1. Start with 5 minutes of grounding with whatever practice helps you feel present and in the moment.
This could be: jumping jacks, 5 minutes of meditation, or breathwork.
2. Pull up your to-do list or list out all your current tasks and commitments
If you’re doing this in your journal, list out your tasks on the left hand side of the page.
If you’re doing this on your computer, I recommend using Excel/Google sheet and listing out your tasks in one column.
3. Apply the 4 Ds to each item on the list
The 4 Ds
Do: Tasks that are urgent and important
Defer: Important but not urgent tasks; include a date
Delegate: Tasks that can be handled by someone else; include who they’ll be delegated to
Drop: Tasks that aren't necessary or aligned with your goals
Important: You should have a maximum of 3-5 tasks marked “Do”. Bonus points if you stay at 3!
4. For tasks marked Defer, Delegate, or Drop, include the specific actions you need to take to complete the plan
For example:
Defer: Defer until X date, add a calendar reminder for X date to re-engage
Delegate: Delegate to X person, inform that person by Y date
Drop: Delete from to-do list, communicate with X that this is no longer a priority
As you go through this exercise, pay attention to how you feel. Most often, I hear clients express a huge sense of RELIEF as they clear away the mental clutter that blocks them.
📆 Join Us IRL
Want to practice this? Curious about meeting cool people? Come to an upcoming A² event!
📫 Our calendar is the hub for A² IRL gatherings. Subscribing is the easiest way to get notified of these!
Reply