Spinning Plates: Prioritizing with Calendar and Lists
- Apr 20
- 2 min read
Many years ago, there was a program on Sunday nights called the Ed Sullivan Show. This was a variety hour hosted by stony-faced Ed who would introduce all sorts of singers or dancers, comedians and pet acts. One of my favorites was the artist who would come on with a stack of plates and long poles. To energetic music, he would set up the poles and spin the plates on top of each pole. He would start with one and eventually had maybe 10 plates spinning on those 10 poles. Once in a while, one would come careening off onto the stage and smash, but the guy just kept going. And then he would very adeptly remove the plates one by one, take his stack of plates and pile of poles, bow and exit to exuberant applause.
This is how I describe part of what I do every day. I spin plates and try to keep them in the air without letting any – or too many - drop. I am not an organized person by nature, but I also don’t like to be running late all the time and worried about what I’ve forgotten to do. So I try to write it all down.
You may be way ahead of me on this, but here is how I handle all the things that are whirring in my head.
Calendar
Get a Huge Calendar on which you put any and all appointments, deadlines or whatever. This includes your significant other’s and/or family’s as well. Some people like to do it on the computer, and whatever works best for you!
Lists
In addition to your Huge Calendar, go on your pc and make The To Do List that you update frequently for yourself only.
Add all your projects to be done in chronological order, going into the future– the more detailed, the better. Prioritize each item on the list. I like to type a running weekly list that changes daily (I love deleting what I’ve done,) that’s just me. Keep it in the same place always, and somewhere you’ll see it. Don’t stack anything on top of it. Each day, get into the habit of checking it in the evening before and the morning as well.
You may find it helpful to list a number of longer-term items. I tend to do this, because I’m always wandering off into the future. Move these to the top or bottom of the To Do List and prioritize them. Make a third list for personal goals.
This can be on a separate page but in the same document as the other two lists so you’ll look at them. Maintain this list so you don’t feel like other people’s priorities are blocking out some things you want to do for yourself.
This list will help you release all the plans you've been brewing and clarify what you’ve got to get done now. They’ll be safe and unforgotten on that list for later – and you can add to them whenever you want!
Now you’ll have room in your head for thinking what a beautiful day it is, and maybe you could take a little walk!
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