Yes – The Whiteboards Are Real!

June 2, 2012 / MariaNews.com

Yes – the Whiteboards are real!  - How I stay organized and successfully accomplish multiple tasks. 

By Royce Hood

NAPLES, FL – Recently on EWTN’s Life on the Rock, Father Mark Mary revealed that I often use whiteboards in organizing my work. I have received many funny emails regarding that exchange between me, Father Mark and Doug from the show.

It is true – the whiteboards are real!

I am a visual person and sometimes when I have a big project it helps to see things big! While in law school I discovered the benefit of using whiteboards to illustrate complex projects, or to make simple check lists.

I am success oriented. I like to work towards goals both small and large. For years I struggled with being unorganized. Without discipline it is easy to be unorganized! – To keep my priorities straight I started making daily checklists on legal pads. This is a great way to visualize on a small but portable scale. However I have found that writing my goals in large letters on a large whiteboard really brings them to life! Using simple, yet large checklists allows me to compartmentalize multiple projects and stay on task.

Here is an example of one of my check-lists:

__1. Update MariaNews.com
__2. Update CatholicDaily.com
__3. Read Torts outline
__4. Take Torts practice quiz
__5. Go to the store
__ milk
__ coffee
__6. 2:00 pm meeting w / [____]
__7. 3:00 pm Divine Mercy

As I work through the check list I use three symbols as a way to measure my success.

O  – means that the task has begun, but needs more time (it is a work in progress)

√ – means that the task has been accomplished. (I will often also cross out the entire task)

X – means that the task is no longer possible or necessary. (there has been a change of circumstance perhaps)

I use two different types of check-lists.

One is for my short-term, daily or weekly goals.

The other list I call my “vision board” or “mission board” which includes my long-term goals (sometimes 1 year in advance)

What ever method you use for your particular work maybe you will find the use of the above checklists helpful.   It doesn’t matter what you are working on – being organized is one factor in accomplishing your goals!

I also cannot stress enough the importance of prayer.  With all of your goals it is critical to first give them to God. Sometimes our desires do not fit His will.   So at the beginning of the day offer yourself to His service.   Ask Our Lady to intercede for you.  And if you give yourself completely to Divine Providence, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

Sometimes our work will be wildly different than what we imagined. If we are working towards goals that are in line with the will of God – we can accomplish them!

Christians are being persecuted like never before. For those who feel called to defend our faith, it is critical to be goal oriented.  We can accomplish anything if we put our mind to it.  By making goals (both short-term and long-term) and by illustrating those goals we can work towards accomplishing them.

Perhaps your calling is to be the provider for your family.  Maybe your daily tasks are to tend to the home and children.  Either way you can participate in building the kingdom of God by doing the work that you are called to do.  There is something really rewarding about ending your day with all the items checked off of your list.

Be sure to give thanks to God at the end of each day whether you accomplished all yours goals or not.

Good luck with all that you do!

In Christ,

Royce

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