Chapter 12 Post

Chapter 12 was a great chapter to summarize a lot of what we've learned in the book and remind us of practical steps that need to be done in order to maintain the organization of our life. He continues to stress the "next-action" step as crucial and, after taking this course and reading through the rest of his book, I wholly agree. Over the course of this decal, I've seen how essential it is for me to mark out the next actions for anything and everything, whether it's small or big projects. It's helped me to feel so much less stressed, even when approaching bigger projects or packed weeks, because I know mentally and have it written tangibly what I must do next. The ability to maintain control in the midst of chaos through the next-step method has been invaluable to my sanity, especially as the semester winds down.

Chapter 12 Response

Shobna Khunkhun

I found chapter 12 to be a great reminder and overview of how important the next-action list are. Personally it was one of the first things I started implementing and found that it eased my anxiety and stress when starting out big projects. The actual step of breaking down a big projecting into little pieces and parts was a huge first step in initiating the process of organization. The stress I have about starting a project like an essay or studying for a midterm decreases when I’m able to break down the process and start closing the open loops. Allen emphasizes the importance of next action lists because they provide a sense of clarity, create accountability, promote productivity and empowerment. He mainly discussed them in the context of the work place, however I feel that it’s also helpful for me as a student. Clearly defining the big picture project and actions steps are the first big step towards completing a goal. Additionally overall one becomes self-accountable for completing the small tasks and fosters self accountability which drives productivity and empowerment.

Chapter 12 Post

In this chapter Allen again emphasizes the importance of next action, and how he wishes that everyone takes that step or to make someone responsible it. This step is very important, and it is the one that I get stuck in more. Like Allen says "it is so simple, yet so powerful." Simple it is, I cannot deny that. Ever since I read about the next action list, I have used it for the simple things like making a call, do laundry etc. However, he stresses that we have to take responsibility, and account responsibility to others in order to get things done and be productive. Like I mention in class, I am very honest, and I do not have problems stating my point, but I hate working in groups because people do not take accountability; however, like Allen states if we began assigning it things would run oh so smoothly.

Another thing that he states is leaving things last minute for them to blow up. I had a lot of "projects" blow up on my face, and let me tell you about it. It was not pretty. Why did I wait? Procrastination and I like to feel pressured; however, I do not want huge projects like an essay blow up. I want good grades! Next action it's vital. 

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 was a reminder to us how effective and important the Next-Action system is.  Allen recalls experiences with professionals and how the use of Next-Action list essentially revolutionized the professional's productivity.  I felt like Chapter 12 was a testimonial from Allen about his invention of the Next-Action list and how it has effected his career and made him the productivity guru he is today. 
I have been so grateful to had stumbled upon this DeCAL and this book.  I've always had some sort of system, but never a system that I could fully trust.  Allen repeatedly emphasizes how important it is to trust the system, because once an individual trusts a system, the real and true creativity of a person cultivates.  For me personally, the Next-Action list is the most important tool that I take away form Allen's book.  I have always had a to-do list, but my to-do list always consisted of just "stuff."  But, I truly feel comfortable looking at my Next-Action list and knowing that I have done the most I can do at this moment and know that there are things I can't do at this moment for projects, thus I can focus my energy one another task.

Chapter 12 response from Larry

In this chapter, Allen talks about the "operational responsiveness" we have to achieve so as to get stuff done more efficiently. He points out that many of us are too polite to hold each other accountable. However, being too polite not to clarify each other's obligation actually makes he situation worse and in the end, everyone needs to know what they have to do anyway. In this sense, it's impolite to let people walk out of the conference room without knowing what the next action is.

I find a lot of times, we are afraid of making it clear who should do what by what time. Collaboration is most meaningful and efficient when each individual knows their part of the work and will contribute to the group. We are afraid of appearing to be bossy, or giving people too much that they won't feel happy to do, or just don't have a clear idea about the work discussed. The confusion and impasse will last until somehow the work is clarified to everyone.

C12 Response

I can relate myself a lot to C12 here. An example would be my Political Science portfolio that was due last week. I definitely put it in the project list, and I put it in the calendar. I know if I dont do it, sooner or later it will blow up. but I forget to write down the most important thing, next action! i have imaged so many times all kinds of scenarios if i dont do it, and i get anxious when i just want to get it done before the due day. Finally I start to do it, but it was two days before the due day and I was typing like crazy in those days. well, like David said, creative, sentimental people procrastinate a lot and I know that's me......

i like how David pump us into doing the next action. he lists value of the next actions. i think not only in companies "next action" is useful, but in student clubs and organizations, clarity, accountability, productivity and empowerment are the keys to bond students together. "It presupposes that there is a possibility of change, and that there is something you can do to make it happen." that's powerful! as long as we have the next action, we are half way there!

Chapter 12 Response

In Chapter twelve, Allen reiterates the importance of the next-action step. It is one of the most fundamental, yet crucial action to fully utilize, and only takes ten seconds to come up with your next action. It is also important to have all of your next actions prepared because it gives us more incentive to actually complete the next action if we know what exactly we must do. Knowing what our actions need to look like, on the most basic level, is the key to productivity enhancement (239). Allen also states that the most intelligent, sensitive, and creative people are the ones to most likely procrastinate because they are capable of visualizing scenarios of their work in their heads. These scenarios include what needs to be done and what are the consequences that could happen if something goes wrong. This causes us to freak out and instantly quit. We start to numb out the negative and uncomfortable vision to stop feeling depressed about it. This is when things start to “blow up” and cause panic. This is why utilizing the next-action step is so crucial; it’s a simple ten second step that can prevents tremendous stress from your life.

There are standards for making next-action decisions; clarity, accountability, productivity, and empowerment. With clarity, precisely understanding what your goal is helps with deciding what steps need to be taken to complete the project. It allows for quick and clear thinking. With accountability, you want to make sure you have time to accomplish the tasks you have agreed to do. Already mentioned in the previous chapter, you do not want to overbook your time, which may cause you to flake on your collogues. With productivity, knowing how to allocate your resources efficiently will help you reach your goal quicker. Lastly with empowerment, you want to make sure that you are physically making things happen. This will increase your confidence, self-esteem, and your ability to make things happen.