Do you have a to-do list habit?
I certainly do because something I discovered in the last, oh say 8 years, and even found information that supports it – that when you write down the things you are going to do, they tend to get done.
I know that if it’s not in my planner or on my list – odds are it isn’t getting done.
And I know that a lot of us have probably a gazillion things on that list but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! If you don’t have a to-do list habit, perhaps it’s time to start one?
Establishing a to-do list habit!
No, your memory is not faltering but we forget things or have this feeling of being overwhelmed because we don’t schedule our to-do’s! I don’t know how many times I mention to people around me to put it in their calendar or set it up as a reminder on their phones.
A to-do list is a simple process of tallying all the things we must do in a day, week or month. It also allows us to weed out the things that are just not on the priority list of getting done!
Each morning I sit down and write the most important tasks I must get done that day, usually no more than three! I have stickies on my computer screen and I do weekly as well as monthly checklists!
Change the way you think about habits!
Not make use of a to-do list and using it effectively will leave you coming across unreliable and even unfocused as well as overwhelmed and stressed and maybe even guilty for not getting things done!
The benefits of using a to-do list are of course that you will be more productive and increase your organization. You will prioritize and find focus and energy to get it all done!
I also want to point out that you don’t need to conquer the world in one day. Instead, look at your list of things to do and become strategic about what needs to be done and when.
We all have 24 hours in the day, how you use that time matters.
So how do you get started?
- Write down all the things you need to accomplish!
- Break down larger to-dos into smaller steps!
- Review your list and label them according to priority (1 through 6 or A through F, or even color code!)
- Schedule them in your planner or calendar
Working through your to-do list is then just working through the most important task one at a time down to the least important task!
On my to-do list, you will often find 3-5 things that I have to get done that day. This helps reduce overwhelm while giving me a feeling of accomplishment. It also creates the free time that perhaps you didn’t think you had before so you can follow your passion projects and hobbies.
You can break this down even further from work to personal!
There are several ways to get started pen & paper or software and you are just going to have to work through trial and error ways until you find what will work for you! I personally use a combination system of pen & paper and an app on my phone!
What is important here though is that you just get started!
- Remember to carry out all the necessary tasks!
- Tackle the most important ones first
- Don’t get stressed by the unimportant stuff
- Be strategic about what is getting done and when
Having a clear and solid action plan can make all the difference in the world but creating one can be one of the biggest challenges you may experience.
You can make a difference in your life today and have a to-do list that makes sense!
