I am a list maker. Are you?
I must admit, I have a long history of creating to-do lists that were so long, they were just plain unreasonable! Lately I have been reading advice from several people on more efficient ways to manage my task list, and I’d like to share what I have learned with you.
Before I get into the tips, I want to preface this by explaining that, for most of my adult life, I have utilized a planner book of some sort. I always looked forward to picking out a new one each year!
A couple years back I switched to keeping digital lists on my phone and my computer. I thought, “This will be great! I can have my list with me on my phone wherever I am!” I made different category lists in the Notes app on my phone, and I used Asana on my laptop.
I enjoyed managing things like this for quite a while. But when it came to my digital task list for work, I would still print it out so that I would have a hard copy of it. I was still writing notes on it. It didn’t take long for me to realize that returning to the pen and paper planner is a far-better option for me.
I have stated this on the blog before, but I will say it again. I truly believe that there is power in putting pen to paper. There is something magical about it that I can’t really explain.
I now use a spiral bound planner, which I LOVE, to keep my to-do lists for work and home. Here are some tips I have learned from others, and some that I have developed on my own.
1. Avoid the temptation to begin with long daily to-do lists. Create a “brain dump” page instead.
“Empty out” all the ideas, thoughts and to-do’s swarming around in your head by writing them down on a sheet of paper (this is where the “power” part comes in.) I do this on a full lined page in my planner. Once you have everything on paper, it is easier to review and identify the priority levels of your tasks.
Related note: My doctor recently advised me to take 15-20 minutes at the end of each day to journal (with pen and paper) before going to bed. He explained that this activity is proven to help to prepare your mind and body for sleep. I am about to try it out to see how it goes.
2. Choose 3 Priority Tasks each morning and write them down as your To-Do’s for the day.
Yep – just 3!
Each morning, review your brain-dump page and identify 3 things that are significant, but also manageable. Understand that these 3 things are NOT the ONLY things you will be doing on this day, but they ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT.
You will undoubtedly mix in daily tasks and various things from your brain dump page, but you have reinforced in your brain (by writing it down) which 3 things you must remain focused on. Choosing 3 priorities enables you to set an achievable goal and allows you to end the day with a sense of accomplishment.
Of course, I realize when you are at work, you will have way more than 3 tasks to complete. But listing your top 3 priorities helps to chart your direction for the day. Don’t begin your day with a ginormous list that leaves you feeling exhausted, just by reading it.
Some days I have to force myself to make one of my 3 items a task that I have been putting off for a long time. We all have those tasks that are no fun to do… and we keep pushing them to the back burner, over and over. Many times, we can get them done much quicker than we think if we will just make them a priority.
For many of us, we will never get “caught up” at work. With the 3-item to-do list, we can at least see that we accomplished the most important tasks of the day.
On hectic days, I often quote my husband to a couple of my co-workers. He always tells me, “If you get everything done today, you won’t have anything left to do tomorrow.” 🙂
As I was writing this on a Saturday, my three priorities for the day were:
1. Plan our meals for next week.
2. Go to the grocery store.
3. Pick out and address birthday cards that need to be mailed.
I accomplished lots of other things today, like doing laundry, cleaning up the kitchen, decluttering my craft desk, attending a zoom call, dropping off recycling, writing this post… you get the idea.
Going to the grocery is not the most fun thing to do on my Saturday, but it is a priority to have food in the house this week – so it made my top 3. I also tend to miss sending birthday cards unless I put them on my list.
My to-do list on a work-day will look differently, and it is more challenging for me to manage than my weekend list. But I’m getting better at it 😉
3. HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP:
At the end of the day or the week – Let Go of the notion that Who You Are is Defined by How Much You Do!
Your worth as a person is NOT determined by the amount of things you accomplish. You are NOT the sum of the number of check marks on your to-do list.
You are important, and loved, and worthy of many things – just for being YOU!
xoxo
Angie
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