Does any of this sound familiar?

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"How did the day get away from me?"

"I said I would return that call, but it just slipped my mind."

"From the time I got up, it was just one thing after another."

"No matter what I do things keep dropping through the cracks."

"I'm busy but I still don't get the really important things done."

"I never feel like I've got it all together."

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A few fundamental toxic habits can contribute to this state of affairs. These include over-promising, no planning, planning without buffer, relying on your brain to remember things, prioritizing results over process, and lack of Now-Next Integrity.

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KtoK: the first key

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If you want to fundamentally address all these issues, where do you start and where do you return yourself to if there's a breakdown?

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The answer is KtoK. It's the key that unlocks the door to all the other keys. If you can always keep this key in your possession, which means using it every day, then, when there are problems with the other keys and habits, you can return to this key to repair the breakdowns or refurbish your life procedures.

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KtoK is a checklist of checklists

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It may include some other directly executable instructions, but most essentially it is a checklist of reminders/instructions to read/execute the items on other sub-checklists, which could even include some sub-sub-checklists.

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A sample KtoK Checklist

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Your KtoK will likely be different. This one is more my style. I'll use it to illustrate the principles of building, maintaining, and using your KtoK.

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1. Create and start to fill in your Covenant checklist (currently 38 executables).

2. Print and start to checkoff your Morning Routines checklist (currently 25 executables)

3. Go through your daily reminders and executables from Todoist.

4. Print your Power-Down checklist for use later today (currently 4 executables)

5. Are your daily mobile-phone alarms appropriately set for today?

6. Do any of my sub-checklists need to be updated?

7. Remember today's theme, "Are you bringing presence to each moment?"

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What to notice about the KtoK

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It may contain up to ten or more items, but fewer are probably better, so as to emphasize the importance of each item.

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Like every checklist, the KtoK can have two types of executables: checklist executables and immediate executables. A sub-checklist executable simply points you to other executables, which may be of either or both types.

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In the KtoK above the first four executables are checklist executables, each of which contains many sub-executables, including other possible checklists. For example, in the Morning Routines checklist is an instruction to check my Birthday Checklist to see whom I know has a birthday to whom I want to send a message.

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The last three executables on this KtoK are not checklists that contain sub-executables but are immediate executables. First, I take a moment to review any recurring mobile alarms that I have already set or any new alarms that may be helpful to set for today. Second, I remind myself of the importance of up-to-date checklists that serve both Dwight-Now and Dwight-Next. Third, I take a few moments to give a gentle reminder to the machinery of my mind to bring me present throughout my day.

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Parts of your KtoK, most likely the checklists, will remain quite stable. Other parts, more likely some of the immediate executables may be removed, modified, or added from day to day or week to week. 

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Although to tap into the fundamental power of KtoK we should consider it a "no matter what" executable for every day, this will not apply for some days. Specifically, days declared as holidays or downtime days might best be served by ignoring your KtoK Checklist.

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Issues with creating, maintaining, and consisting using (executing) your KtoK

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Structures, as in checklists, are obviously a favorite go-to for our Next because they can support us in creating the future that we want. Even our Next, however, can rebel against checklists since they can remind us of our limitations to plan and execute as much as our Next would like.

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In contrast, checklists can occur as threatening to our Now since their use can inhibit the expression of spontaneity and a sense of freedom. 

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For these reasons, your Now and Next can even collaborate in nudging you toward ignoring and neglecting your KtoK. 

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Your Next doesn't want to feel constrained by the facts

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Your Next doesn't want KtoK to remind him or her of the limitations of what can be done in a 1440-minute day and a 168-hour week. Your Next also doesn't want to notice clearly what didn't get done that he or she planned to get done. Following your KtoK and sub-checklists could make your Next painfully aware of these. Next may need to take advantage of the Undoing fear process with expressions like, "Holy Moly and Jeepers Weepers, I am so scared to face the facts regarding what I can really do and what I didn't do!"

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Your Now doesn't want to feel pressured by Next's reminders "there's always more to do"

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Your Now may be wary or even gun-shy of Next trying to use the structures of checklists, especially the KtoK Checklist. It behooves Next to pay special attention to what Now wants and needs so that Now can begin to experience the use of the KtoK as benefiting him or her also.