How to Finish Your To-Do List Like a Balance Beam Gymnast

Whether or not the Summer Olympics are going on when you read this article, do you enjoy the Summer Olympics?

One of my favorite sports in the Summer Olympics is women’s gymnastics. I think the balance beam is the most fascinating apparatus. Each gymnast gains momentum to mount a beam that is 4.1 feet from the floor. They do an elaborate, difficult route on something that is only 4-inches wide. After a variety of complex moves, they go the length of the beam (16.4 feet) to start a challenging dismount with the aim of landing on their feet.

Whether or not you watch the women’s balance beam competition, you may appreciate the following analogy.

When you and I work through a task list, we also need to “mount the beam.” For gymnasts, this is preceded by hours of practice, weight-training, proper eating and hydration, appropriate sleep, etc. In the world of productivity, this might include:

• using background knowledge and experience
• having the right supplies
• understanding all components of the task and how it “fits into” the overall project
• estimating the amount of time the task might consume
• having appropriate rest, food, and hydration to maximize focus
• and more

The main part of a balance beam routine takes place on the beam itself. However, that couldn’t happen without all the hours of preparation.

Similarly, when trying to cross to-do’s off your list, the goal is to complete the task. This can only be accomplished by selecting success tools (supplies, skills, support).

A balance beam routine concludes with the dismount. In practice, this might be followed by a brief rest, going to a different apparatus, getting a sip of water, leaving the gym for the day, etc.

Likewise, there are closure activities when you’ve finished a job. This might include putting away supplies, sending a proposal to a client, emailing a colleague with an update. etc. Once the work is completely done, it’s time to “launch” another task.

The problem?

We often neglect the “mount” and “dismount” part of a task. Instead, we get on a balance beam at the beginning of the day, go from one beam straight to another, and only dismount at the end of the day.

Why is this an issue? Because details may get lost, something may not be completed, it can take longer because tools are missing, exhaustion can slow progress, etc.

Think of these as a bobble a gymnast may have if they don’t land on the balance beam solidly.

While anyone can have difficulty with or even forget task transitions, people diagnosed with ADHD and some types of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more susceptible to having issues. Though our work, my clients discover that awareness, strategies, and practice create a smoother and more consistent to-do list routine.

What can you learn from this balance beam analogy?

When creating your daily schedule, choreograph enough time for the beginning (the mount), middle (the balance beam routine), and the end (dismount) of each task or activity so that everything gets done more easily.

Want more help for completing your to-do list? Read Overwhelmed by to-dos? Here are 5 steps to take from the beginning through the first step.