Getting Your Life Back: The Little Notebook of Musts

As we grow older, we tend to lose our free time. During out childhood it is abundant, but as we get employed, as our circle of friends widen, as we get into relationships, as our daily rituals multiply, we find that more often than not we simply don't have the time to do all the things we want.

However, the problem arises when we are struggling to keep track of the things we need to do. We may miss out on deadlines, forget to pay our bills or miss out on buying he much needed groceries. This kind of day-to-day forgetfulness is, however, easy to resolve. What you need is your very own little notebook of musts.

Your little notebook of musts should preferably be small, so you could carry it with yourself everywhere; preferably, it should be ruled (more on that below) as opposed to blank or checkered; it is of ultimate importance that you have it with you everywhere, so always have it to your keys or cellphone - if you don't carry it with yourself, it's of no use.

So what do you do with your little notebook? It is simple: 

It should serve as a constant reminder of one time obligations and chores you need to do. 

It's that simple. Whenever something pops up that you need to do, write it down. This has triple benefit:

1. The act of writing down what you have to do will make it easier for you to remember the obligation at hand.
2. In the case you do forget, flipping through the notes will refresh your memory in an instant.
3. Last and the least, there is a great psychological benefit of ticking the things done. Try it for yourself!

Again, what things  you shouldn't put in your little notebook? For obligations that repeat themselves on a regular basis, we'll use different apps (or printed sheets); obligations that you do not forget, for this or that reason; and, for the most part, work obligations that should be kept separately from your grocery shopping and bill payments.

GETTING YOUR LIFE BACK

CHAPTER 1: TIME MANAGEMENT

• Organizing Your Obligations
• The Reward Principle
• The Little Notebook of Musts
• Learning to Say No
• The Blessed Spare Time

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