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As I write this, I have an inbox filled to the top. It's not that I don't know it needs to be cleared. And it's not that I don't have a system in place to clear it. I'm a huge disciple of the Getting Things Done philosophy. My entire system maintenance list has been carefully entered into OmniFocus. Â I have a designated inbox where everything I need to address is placed. Every Monday “process inbox” appears in my available actions. It's planned and organized sublimely.
But none of that makes a squat of difference unless I take action—unless I do what I planned to do.
My problem is that, as you might guess from the name, “system maintenance” isn't very fun or exciting. It's necessary but mundane. It all falls in Covey's not-urgent-but-important quadrant two. But I know (from experience) that maintaining the systems in my life makes the rest of my life run so much more smoothly. There is no chaos, less crisis, more calm, and greater productivity.
Those benefits should make it a no-brainer to keep up with my systems. But they don't because the benefits are long-term and there are so many short-term, instant gratification distractions!
My husband's favorite quote is this:
Don't give up what you want most for what you want at the moment.
This is key to a successful, happy life. I already know that. It is a goal of mine to implement this philosophy more and more into the choices I actually make each day.
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Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.