Yep, it’s time to talk about Mark Forster again.
I feel like I’ve written a lot about Forster on this blog. But I have good reason. For one, Forster is the author of Get Everything Done and Still Have Time to Play, which some consider one of the best time management books ever written.
Forster has also created many of other time management systems and techniques, some of which he’s shared on his blog for free.
And one of them is SMEMA.
SMEMA is an acronym that stands for “The Simplest and Most Effective Method of All.” Whether SMEMA is actually the simplest time management method ever created might be up for debate. But it’s definitely one of the simplest I’ve come across. (And, if you read my blog, you know that I’ve come across quite a few.)
So, what is SMEMA all about?
Well, as Forster wrote in a blog post about the method:
The older I get the more I think that I actually know what I should be doing all along, and all the time management systems and prioritising, visioning, and so forth are just ways of avoiding doing the things I know in my heart I should be getting on with.
Forster suggests that you forget about making lists, prioritizing to-dos, setting weekly/monthly/yearly goals, and all of the other things we do to try to better manage our time. Instead, just focus on doing the things you already know you should be doing.
Of course, part of the point of time management is trying to figure out what we should be doing. But Forster believes you already know, on some level, what you need to be doing. But that knowledge can get lost in the “noise” of your busy life...and your mile-long to-do list.
SMEMA helps you quiet the noise, pinpoint the things you need to be doing, and get them done.
How?
Here are the basic SMEMA instructions.
- Make a list of three tasks you want to get done, in the order you want to do them in.
- Do the first task on your list, and then cross it out.
- Do the second task on your list, and then cross it out.
- Add two new tasks to your list, so you’re back up to three tasks.
- Keep repeating the cycle, completing two tasks and then adding two new ones.
And that’s it.
If you’ve ever had trouble remembering the steps of a time management method, you’ll love SMEMA. It’s as simple as the name claims.
I think SMEMA is great for those days when you feel overwhelmed by your to-do list, and all the things you have to get done by the end of the day. Focusing on just three tasks at a time, and forgetting everything else, will help you feel calm and in control. You’ll stop worrying about everything you have to do, and just get stuff done.
Forster goes into SMEMA in more detail on his blog. He also offers a few tips to help you get the most out of this simple technique.
Original SMEMA Instructions and FAQ
If you want to try something new (or you just want a break from your to-do list) give SMEMA a try. I bet you’ll be surprised by how effective it is.
Have you tried SMEMA? Or have you tried any of Mark Forster's other time management methods? If so, which ones worked best for you?
