Managing life is stupid.

Over the years, through engineering school and starting my career as an aircraft designer I've always tinkered with ways to manage my life to get the most done in very little time. You can make detailed lists, fill in Google calendars to make use of every second of your life, and even stick post-it notes in obvious places so you see the right thing at the right time. I've tried all of these, and they all have one thing in common: they're a fad. I never stick with them once something truly big comes up. 

Next time you're in search for a new way of managing your life, try this. Generally your big goals don't change too much, right? I'm not talking about remembering your groceries. Instead, think big. Code a website. Sketch a car in 3D.

Now throw away the post-its. Consolidate to one calendar to keep your appointments in check, and FOR THE SAKE OF EVERYTHING GOOD GET RID OF YOUR DAILY CHECKLISTS.

Do one thing instead: somewhere, in some fashion, write down/post everything you want to do. Get it in your head that you want to do all these things at the same time, because you do. Post that list somewhere that you can't miss, and read it every day. This is the last checklist you'll ever need.

Now is the MOST IMPORTANT PART: don't think about how you're going to manage them, just get off your ass and start doing one of them. Let your attitude determine what you're most motivated to do, and do it for as long as you have time.

The biggest reason you try all that fad stuff is to make use of ALL your available time. But you don't need a massive calendar to tell you what to do all the time, do you? Sitting down to watch TV or YouTube isn't the best use of your time, so the simple act of doing those things should remind you that you're wasting your time.

You want to accomplish your goals? Time to get moving.