Got a long to-do list and wondering where to start? How do so many things end up on your list, where do they come from and how do you get it all done? Life moves so fast and you continually add things to your plate without even thinking. There are things that you miss or don’t get done because you don’t have things in place to support you. There are particular steps and habits that you can create to support you in becoming a task master that will get you through your to-do list every time.

So, let’s look at how things end up on your to-do list. Are you creating daily tasks based upon the larger projects that you’re working on or are you creating lists randomly?  How you create your list makes a big difference when it comes to getting it all done.  The first key to becoming a task master is being a master at determining what goes on your list.  If your daily lists are being created based upon the projects that you’re working on, the tasks are focused and related to something that’s important or something that you value.  If your daily lists are being created randomly, they are likely to include things that aren’t important or even relevant.  Those are the things that will waste your time.  Only add things to your list that are related to the goals or projects you are working on and other things that are important and relevant.  This helps you weed out the unimportant tasks and things that can be delegated and keeps you focused on what’s important.

The second key is knowing when to do what, so you have to know your priorities and stick to them.  Priorities should be created when your projects and goals are created.  If the projects and goals that you’re focused on don’t have a priority attached to them, determine them.  Once you know your priorities for each, you know the priority of the related tasks as they filter down to your daily to-do list.  This has you be in the practice of scheduling your priorities and not prioritizing your schedule.

The third key to being a task master is personalizing everything.  Know the time of day that you are at your best mentally and physically and use that time to carry out your top priority tasks so that you’re not working against your grain.  Organize your work space according to how you work and assign a place for everything so that it’s easily accessible.  This way you’re not wasting time looking for things.  You’re working on the tasks at hand.

These three keys will keep your daily to-do list trim and fit, with no extra filler.  Be particular about what you give your time to.  If something doesn’t fit, don’t give your time to it.  Always keep your priorities in mind and allow them to guide you.  There will be many things that will try to get your attention and your time, but you get to choose how you spend your day.  Stick with habits that support you and you will be able to get it all done.  You will be a task master.