Confessions of a Streaker...
HA! Made you click! 
Seriously though, I have begun to realize that I am not the metronome that everyone assumes me to be. Rather, I have periods of solid focus / effort / training followed by periods of, well, not that stuff. 
So I started to wonder how I can create the conditions for success in some critical areas, especially given my minimalist 12.5 hours/week Kona prep schedule.
After doing some reading I decided to start creating my own spreadsheet...not just to track but to encourage a specific set of activities...I am only a week in, but so far so good.
I am curious what others do to stay focused on all the intangibles required (at times) to be really good at something?
Thanks!!!
P
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---Ann.
It's all about balance. Approach it in a very balanced fashion - from one extreme to the other. (so what if your VI is 2.0?
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Two years ago, when I was trying to rebuild my life after my bike crash/ICU disaster, I had a gazillion things I needed to track. So I bought a white board, and put the days of the week across the top, and the things I was tracking along the side: weight, calories, new foods tried (I had chewing and swallowing issues, so had to progress over a month or two from liquids to mush to ... evenutally, cheesecake), simple activites, like distance walked, simple exercises like leg lifts ... stuff really that had previously been normal, and now had to be re-learned.
I still have the whiteboard, but now use it to plan out my "needs to do" on a three week basis. It's pretty blank at the moment, because this weekend is a trip for a wedding, then a one week taper to Penticton, then the week recovery after. Hmm... maybe I should fill in those days?
Then, when I do something, I "check it off" by erasing it. If I don;t erase it, I have to look at it sitting on the board for 2-3 weeks reminding me that I didn't do all I needed to do that day.
This sits on my desk just above my computer. I did not move an inch from where I'm sitting typing to take this picture:
I seem to be pretty obsessive myself about tracking things and making lists/spreadsheets. I don't really have a system or template, per se, just a habit. Most of my stuff goes into Google Docs just so I can have easy access to it anywhere. Some examples of what I do:
I also have this big spreadsheet titled "Training", in which I keep a great deal of info about just that. Namely, I have separate sheets for:
In short, I'd say it's less about how you specifically log information, and more about making it a habit and having that information readily accessible. Once you make it a habit, you'll figure out what works for you.
Since everything is downloaded into WKO, I write a brief of what I think is important in the description block. WKO is looked at anyway so it's one stop shopping.
I use a product call onenote by Microsoft. In essence it's a virtual notebook that allows you to track all kinds of activities personal and professional. It integrates with Outlook quite well which I use for email. I also keep a number of spreadsheets that track certain lists to include tri/general packing lists, training plan, nutrition plan tests etc. I've also been using loseit daily to track my weight loss goals. It does a great job keeping me accountable and preventing me from over indulging.
I setup onenote in GTD style using this page as a guideline.
http://dynamicit.wordpress.com/2010/05/11/getting-things-done-with-outlook-2010-and-onenote-2010-a-brief-overview/
This year wasn't good at all due to the lack of planning, traveling and lots of other excuses. I'll be back to my weekly planning routine withe Master Pan 2013. Currently, I'm deciding what to do before that
It has two jobs:
1) to be a place to sketch/keep all the pieces of projects so they live there and not in my head, taking up energy
2) list the one or two "Things to Declare Victory." Even though I would like to do infinite things to declare victory on each day, in reality, I can probably do two things well. So, I get those done, I get to declare victory on the day. Everything else is a bonus prize.
K.I.S.S.
Keep.It.Simple.Stupid
That's it. For me, I'm too busy to have lists and lists and check and check. I take things one day at a time and try to get the things done. I usually do, but if I miss one thing, it's done. That day is done. Tomorrow's a new day. Focus.
It sounds so militaristic, but it works for me. If I focus on a week or a month it's way more stressful! I just try to be efficient in everything I do. That way the stuff does get done. If that means taking a 15-20 min power nap to gain some energy I will. I am not saying to just go-go-go! Be smart. Keep it simple stupid.
On this subject, a good book (or tape - I listened to it in the car and then made notes) is by Brian Tracey - "Eat That Frog" It gives lots of good ideas on how to focus on what's important and how to get it done....
my 2 cents....
P: The link to the spreadsheet is broken?
J.T. = Just got the Kindle version of Eat The Frog. Will give it a read. Thanks. I haven't eaten a frog in many, many months.
It's funny to contrast my past approaches to the present in regards to this question. When I was on a skydiving team, there were three other people in the mix. We had to learn our formations and not being on the ball really brought down the team. The moves were very intricate and complex. I would go over all of them in my head once a day. When I would sit in traffic I would review them. Then I would try to visualize them from another slot. I would make notes at the end of a day of jumping as to what was most helpful and what made the most difference. But it was the process of getting it and keeping it all in my head that really made the changes. No cheat sheets in freefall. The driving force behind all that though, was the three other peeps counting on me.
Now, with my focus being on ironman training, I find that I just roll with it. like some of the earlier posts - keep it simple, etc. I usually don't have too many problems with motivation, such that if it feels right, then I do it, and if it doesn't I don't. And that is that. I love this stuff so much that it hasn't ever led to a nose dive in productivity. It's really pretty freeing!!