Where Are You?

Today, my school district begins its annual End-of-Grade Tests (EOG's).  This is the time to check to see if our students have gained one year of learning for one year of seat time.  This is not the only time this year we've assessed our students.  Each 9-weeks, we also administer our quarterly benchmark assessments.  In addition, students have been assessed with teacher-created tests and quizzes on a weekly basis.  Students in the lower grades (K - 2) are being assessed continuously throughout the year, as we use the Literacy First method of teaching reading, which calls for intensive assessment.  If we do our jobs correctly and make small adjustments throughout the year, based on our assessments, our results on the EOG's should not be a surprise, but a confirmation of what we knew all along.  How, though, does this translate to us, as adults?

Since January (and some since last year) most of us have been implementing the GTD process.  My question is, "Where are you with this?"  Have you looked at how well you've been utilizing the system?  Are you brown, black, or still a white belt?  How do you know?

If we have been paying attention, we would have also had goals set for ourselves and have been working toward them.  So how are you doing on those?  Are you moving toward them or away from them?  Again, how do you know?

Much like the assessment of students to determine what actions we need to take to help them succeed, we should also be continuously assessing ourselves to see if we are moving toward our goals and where we want to be in their accomplishment.  We could also be assessing where we are in our utilization of GTD.  Are we being more effective?  If not, why?

Without this assessment, it is possible to become distracted by our daily routines and emergencies to the point that our progress is eroding, or has reversed, and we don't even realize it.  As you know, I'm learning to fly.  As I'm cruising along at 4,500 feet, I can easily become distracted by looking for other aircraft, checking out the scenery below, talking on the radio, or by looking for landmarks.  Before I know it I could lose 100 - 200 feet and not even realize it.  So what I do is, periodically, cross-check my instruments to ensure that I'm still at the right altitude and on the right heading.

Take a few minutes several times a year, once a month, or even once a week during your weekly review to assess where you are in your goals.  This is part of what Tony Robbins calls the Ultimate Success Formula:

1. Know your outcome (Your goal)
2. Take massive action to get there (Next Actions)
3. Develop the sensory acuity to know whether you are getting what you want (Assessment)
4. Make adjustments in your approach (More Next Actions)

This formula is actually a loop as after you make adjustments, you then take adjusted actions, do more assessments, and, again, make more adjustments.  This process is continuous and on-going.  Build this assessment component into your routine on a regular basis and you will see results that you haven't seen before.

Comments

[Greg Rollins]

OK Bert, here's where I am...
I started implementing GTD and the HipsterPDA several weeks ago. It took days for me to get myself even semi-organized, and to be honest I have to kick off yet another ToDo just to keep on track with continuing improvement. I've been feeling the results, kind of the way you do with an exercise program. You know how you're sore at first, and then as you get used to it, it gets easier? I had a meeting with my boss yesterday (VP of Operations for a software firm) and he made the comment that lately I'm more relaxed, and in control of my projects. I hope you and your other readers can relate to how good that felt. GTD is hard work, but it pays off. You feel more in control of your life, and other people (especially those you respect) see it.
That's how it's working for me. I hope your other readers can say the same.

[John Richardson]

As the Data Manager for a K-12 school district, I can really relate to your post. It is amazing how many things we test anymore. We just created a testing table for our Student Management System for next year. It's 3 pages long! GTD has really helped me get a handle on things. My e-mail went from a 1000 entries in the inbox to just a handful. My next challenge is to optimize a filing system and better handle my dreaded in-box. At home junk mail is the challenge. I finally bought an industrial strength shredder so I can shred the credit card promos that come everyday without jamming the shredder.

Thanks for your posts on your site. They have really helped with the day to day organizational struggle.

John

[Manzoor Gondal]

Our son is very slow in communication Please help us provide something so we can get help for our son
Thanks

[Varun]

Hi,

I am working as Tech support in one MNC company.
I have problem with my voice and unable to explain the concept clearly. how can I change all these and

please can you provide me any suggestions for all my problems. How to develop my verbal frames in the daily life and Which word should be used at that particular time. am unable to frame the sentence correctly.

Please help me and sort out all my problems.

Regards,
Varun