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43Folders.com is Merlin Mann’s website about finding the time and attention to do your best creative work.

Personal Mantras: Got one?

Personal Mantras - 43FoldersWiki

I’ve been digging the personal mantras that people have been adding to the wiki.

It’s interesting to see the different approaches and interests people have been taking; for some it’s an affirmation, for others it’s a motto or creed, and for many it appears to be a persistent reminder about the right thing to do.

My mantra—if you can call it that—is “Smaller, smaller.” It’s a principle more practical than spiritual, I suppose. I say it to myself several times a day to try and always remember that small things are easier to do than big things, and that most big things are really just a pile of small things if you break them up right. In real-world terms, “Smaller, smaller” means:

  • sub-projects
  • small-sized teams
  • modest, achievable goals
  • granular tasks, TODOs, and, yes, “next actions”
  • fast deadlines
  • frequent, but very short, check-in meetings
  • understanding how one piece leads to the next
  • making it hard to fail

There’s been very few times that “Smaller, smaller” has done me wrong. No matter how ambitious a project, idea, or problem is, there’s usually a way to break into very small pieces. Anyhow, that’s mine.

Got a personal mantra or motto of your own? Why’d you choose the one you did?

(And, no, “I believe I’ll have another beer” probably doesn’t count.)

TOPICS: Inspirado, Tips
Bevedog's picture

While I find much of...

While I find much of this article off-putting (let's just say I'm not as driven as Mr. Pavlina), I have found that "do it now" has helped me stop worring and start doing. Sort of like finding the item on your next action list that you are dreading most, and doing that first.

 
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