Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.

— Theodore Roosevelt —

Too often we just think of work as just drudgery. But when we are engaged in something we want to do, or for someone we care for, or for a reward that gives to our self and others, work becomes something of significance.

When you are involved with any project, it is this phase, The Work Phase, that you will spend the most time and energy. To help get a handle on all of that work, you will be using the Stage Task List. If you haven't already done so, you can review the worksheet notes presented on the Applying the STARS System page. I'll be continuing the fictitious example of someone wanting to become a Pastry Chef. Again, You can print out either a blank Stage Task List or the Stage Task List Example by clicking on one of the appropriate options. These require an Adobe Acrobat Reader which has a link on the Third Party Downloads panel at the left.

1. Stage Task List (blank)
2. Stage Task List Example

Stage Task List Steps

1. Project/Stage: This would be your project name and the stage name. Our example: Pastry Chef/Research
2. Page ID: Do whatever ID would help you in keeping order in your files. I chose PC for Pastry Chef, R for Research, T for Task List, and 1 for the #1 Stage Task List. There will be many stages which will have many Task List pages before completion. You may even want to set up separate sheets for different types of tasks, such as one for emails, one for phone calls, etc.
3. Date: Date you started the list or you may even want to put a range of dates of the tasks on the sheet from beginning to the end. For our example, we started the sheet on 11/2.
4. Prepared By: You would put your initials or name. This was discussed more at the same point in Phase I.

5. Stage Objective: Write in a clear cut goal with a time frame.
   
6. Task List Columns: Before we get into running the example, let's look at the general columns.
   1. #: This is a Task Number. Use any system you like. For this example, I put PC-R / 1.00 for my first item. PC-R is for Pastry Chef-Research. I didn't write the letters after that to avoid redundancy, though I would use them if I had another list that referred back to this one. My second item was given the number 2.00. The other items were given decimals for the main item they were related to. So item 1.00 had related items which I numbered 1.10, 1.20, & 1.21. It was similar for item 2.00. Again, develop a system you are comfortable with.
   2. P: This is your Priority Code. I like A, B, C. You may wish to assign numbers to show the priority of an item.
   3. Spirit Note: This is a quick note on your Spirit. You can note it before or after your task. If you want to do both, save a line underneath your entry to make the extra note.
   4. Time Est/Act: Here you will list your Estimated Time, Appointment Note, and Actual Time. I break most of my tasks into minutes, so I'll just write down 15 for 15 minutes, but in this example I use "m" for minutes. If I have an appointment, which including travel time will go into hours, I'll use an "h" for hour.
   5. Action: This is a description of the Task.
   6. Resources: This may be money needed, a tool, or any resource you need to note.
   7. Space: This is the place you will be, or the space that must be focused on.
   8. Status: Make a note of the current status of the task. In this example, I used the word "Done" for completion. For my own lists, I like to put a circle in the item when I've started work on the task, then a check mark when I have completed the task. For example, you may be trying to call someone, but haven't gotten through to the person. I'll put a circle there to let myself know that I've started the task, and once I finish the task, I'll put a checkmark in it. This makes it easy when you do a quick glance at it. On my computerized files, I'll use different colored circles to indicate my progress.
   9. Note: I make a quick note of the result of my task. If I need to make more of a note, I will use a separate paper and refer to my Task Number for cross-reference. But I find most items are quick, and don't need much room.
      
7. Task List Workflow: We're going to go through the example with the workflow I like to use. But be creative in how you want to work and arrange your worksheets.
   1. 11/2: We start with the mythical Shelly listing 2 items she will do to get the Research ball rolling. She is going to contact her friend Mark, and do some internet research.
      
   2. 11/3: She calls Mark and made an appointment, and also found information on cooking classes with her internet research.
      
   3. 11/3: She now makes a task for her appointment with Mark and three tasks for the three schools she is going to call for information. Notice how she has used 1.10 for the lunch appointment task number, and the numbers 2.10, 2.20, 2.30 for the phoning tasks. She's also noted the cash she will need for lunch.
      
   4. 11/4: Her calls are made and notes are made.
      
   5. 11/4: The Culinary Institute is too expensive for her, and she didn't feel like the cooking school would be professional enough. She decides to call the Junior College to set up an appointment. Note how she continues the numbering system so it is related to the original call.
      
   6. 11/5: The next day she calls and sets up the appointment.
      
   7. 11/5: An entry for the College appointment is added.
      
   8. 11/6: Today is when she meets Mark for lunch. She likes his enthusiasm for his work, plus he gives her a lead for a possible part-time job in another restaurant.
      
   9. 11/6: Shelly adds a note to call Mark's friend Tanya.
      
   10. 11/6: Later she calls Tanya to set up a time to meet her. Shelly's not sure if she wants to work and go to school at the same time.
       
   11. 11/6: Shelly adds the appointment task with Tanya.
       
   12. 11/9: It's the 9th, so she goes to the Junior College to get a tour and more details with Mr. Joe Marcus. She likes what she sees and learns about the program.
       
   13. 11/10: Shelly meets with Mark's friend Tanya, but is still torn about the work/school issue.
       
   14. 11/10: Now that she has most of her information, she thinks she needs to carve some time for herself to go for a walk and make a decision. She schedules time for herself, just as she would for anyone else.
       
   15. 11/11: Shelly takes that walk and decides a definite "yes" on taking classes at the college, but is still unsure about the job.
       
   
   
8. Notes: Shelly's note acknowledges that this new foray will take longer than she thought. But she knows she is going in the right direction.
   
9. Here is the example in full. You can click on it for a larger image or open the Stage Task List Example This file requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, which you can get from the Third Party Downloads panel at your left. file.
   

Next you will proceed to Phase III: The Finishing Stage.

— Shelly —