Do you use a to-do list? Do you compulsively make lists that you toy with every day, or make lists with tasks that you actually get done? Do you create daily lists that are focused on accomplishing smaller pieces related to a big project? Your list might be so frustrating that you might feel like getting rid of it altogether.
If you are frustrated, chances are that you really do want to be able to cross more off your list but just don’t know how or can’t seem to get there. It’s also possible that you have lists that include unimportant tasks or things that you don’t want to do, as well as the things that are important.
It’s one thing to have a daily to-do list, but quite another to use one effectively. If you implement them in your daily practice, they can keep you from forgetting to do something important, keep you on track for meeting deadlines, and dispel the overwhelm conversation.
When you have and use a solid to-do list, you place yourself in a position of working much smarter, not harder. When I say “solid” I mean that the list is complete and contains only important, prioritized tasks. When you have a solid to-do list, you’ve got everything in one place and you know what order to work in. It also beats the feeling of being overloaded, keeps you focused, organized and productive.
To go from having a list that you toy over or would like to get rid of altogether, to having a solid to-do list, there’s a simple process. First you have to create your to-do list. If you already have a list that isn’t working for you, look at what you have right now and determine which items on it are important. Move them to a new list and add things that you have to complete. Of course, if there are larger tasks, break them down into smaller pieces.
Review what you have and be sure that everything on that list is important. If something’s not important, it doesn’t belong on your list. Ideally, what you have should be related to larger things that you’re seeking to accomplish. As you review the list, look to see if there are things that you can delegate to someone else. If so, remove them. Once that’s done, divide the list into categories. That will make it easier to use. In my next post, I’ll discuss how to prioritize your tasks so that you know what order to work in.