This simple technique really works and I have anecdotal scientific proof to prove it.

Step 1: make a list of things to do

The first thing to do is make a list of what you have to do, but START THE LIST LONG BEFORE the event!

Today I am headed to the airport for a little trip to see friends, learn some stuff, and hang out with Lin. I started writing my packing list about 2 weeks ago.

In prepping for this day, I started writing a TO DO list a few days ago.

Last night and this morning, I have smoothly prepped, packed, meditated, and even had enough extra time to chat with some of my peeps online.

How it works:

Barbara Oakley’s course Learning How to Learn talked about the pomodoro technique, which is based on the fact that our brains need some time to chill out between times of working hard.

Allowing a couple of weeks to make the list allows the brain to work at its prime, creating and finding connections between apparently disparate objects or experiences.

The idea of slowly compiling a list reminds me in ways of GTD, Getting Things Done, which suggests we have One Single List of things to do, and then we just smoothly and easily go through the list while not having to keep a lot of stuff in mind.