Today's TQ

Daily Lessons in Intentional Excellence
Thursday, October 29, 2026

Are You Following Your List? Really?

Arrange items on your priority list in order of their importance. Then start at the top and work down. Make it a rule: Never purposely skip an item just because you don't want to do it.

Do first things first today. Finish them first, too.

Today's TQ Challenge: Do What's Important Next -- Regardless of Difficulty.

Choose to be DISCIPLINED! Have you skipped anything on your list today? Ready to go back?
Choose to be DEDICATED! What are you telling yourself when you've skipped over an important item several days in a row?
Choose to be SELF-CONTROLLED! What can you do to make sure that you address your top projects first thing tomorrow?

The next item on your prioritized list of things to do needs to be promptly completed -- or it wouldn't be on your list in the first place. Don't go around it. You waste time and energy when you avoid doing what you know you should do. Arrange items on your to-do list in order of importance, then start at the top and work down. Make it a rule: never purposely skip an item just because you don't feel like doing it.

"Take a lesson from the mosquito. She never waits for an opening -- she makes one." ~ Kirk Kirkpatrick

Think about it. How well and how often do you actually DO Prioritize Factor 6J?

"I don't skip over an item on my priority list simply because I don't feel like doing it."

A high commitment (6J rated 8 or better) suggests you are someone who is incredibly powerful. You consistently do whatever is next on your priority list -- regardless of how much you don't want to do it. You regard this as a personal challenge, to see if you can get it done as well and as quickly as possible. You know it needs to get done, so you waste no time hiding behind less productive tasks. You stay focused on the desired outcome, instead of the effort required, and pride yourself in being able to do just about anything for the right reason.

On the other hand...

A lack of commitment suggests you are someone who can talk yourself out of doing just about anything. There may be an excellent reason why the next item on your to-do list should be completed -- but you can come up with more reasons why it's better to put it off. It's always easier to do a different task that takes less effort or less courage. The problem is, you miss opportunities when you don't pursue that important task, or waste time on less valuable ones.

What happens when you CHOOSE to do Factor 6J a bit more frequently?

If there's anything you want done, you enter it on your list of things to do. Then you do it. That's true power. You accumulate performance positives like "Disciplined, Dedicated and Courageous" -- immediately moving you towards the results you expect.

What happens when you FAIL to consistently do Factor 6J?

Important but difficult tasks are delayed, and the best of plans are put off indefinitely. Negatives like "Undisciplined, Reluctant and Doubtful" start to take their toll on your performance -- quickly moving you away from the success you want.

Now Ask Yourself This...
Is Factor 6J Causing You Problems?

If you believe this factor is a key performance obstacle -- and that it's preventing you from realizing your personal dreams and goals -- then you need to improve it.

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