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Not just on Mondays, but everyday highly effective people use a to-do list. This is habit I learned years ago that has helped me stay focused and productive. However, just like many other success-based activities, there are better and worse ways to building your to-do list.
Here are a few tips I've learned along the way that have helped me...
- Always make sure your to-do list is in writing. This helps get it out of your head and onto paper. A side benefit is that you're less likely to forget, and can use you're energy to be proactive verses reactive. (I keep a pad of paper and pen in my night stand in case I can't sleep because my mind is working overtime. I can do brain-dump to clear my head so I can fall to sleep).
- Recognize the importance of working off of a to-do list. After all, it is a habit, and like all habits, sometimes they are hard to maintain
- Set up a routine to make your to-do list at a time of day when you're feeling most focused and energized. Pick a quiet spot so you can concentrate on what you need to get accomplished. I suggest early in the morning before unseen events distract you. Even when that happens, you can get back to your list
- Prioritize your tasks. Of course we never mind doing the easy tasks, so unless they are time sensitive, I knock of the most difficult tasks first before I allow something to de-rail me.
- Lastly, don't fret. If you don't get everything done on your list, carry it forward to the following day. If it's a low enough priority, who knows, maybe it will take care of itself by the time you're ready to tackle it.
I came across an excellent article recently that offers some great tips and suggestions which I've incorporated.
The Power of 3: How to Get It All Done
Create a realistic Daily Task List and Follow Through
By: Erin Lariviere of Tungle.me
When you look at your to-do list, do your insides turn into a tangled mess of anxiety?
That's probably because you put EVERYTHING on it. It's overwhelming. And feeling like you might drown is not conducive to accomplishing anything.
The problem could be that visually your list is too big.
What if there were only 3 things on that list? Would you feel better?
"The brain finds it relatively easy to grasp threes.
Push that marginally up to four and the brain gets confused about where to look and what to do" (source: psychotactics.com - great article on the power of three there).
If looking at just 4 things can send your brain into a tizzy, imagine what your list of 47 things is doing.
"But just 3 things?" you ask. "I have way more than 3 things to get done."
Yes, but you probably won't get them done today. Especially if you're smothered by a 10lb to-do list.
Here's the Plan:
Each morning (or night before, if that's your thing) list the top 3 things you absolutely have to get done that day. Then do them.
You can do other things throughout the day, but come closing time those 3 things must be done.
If you're not comfortable with just 3 things for the day, try listing 3 things to do before lunch, then 3 to do after lunch.
But I Need Longer Term Goals!
Fair enough. What 3 projects do you need to complete this month or week? Have a master list of those 3 things.
As you're making your daily lists, make sure that each item (or at least 2 out of 3) is related to a goal on your master list.
Baby Steps Cover Great Strides
I don't know if that's an actual saying. If not, I'm coining it now. Three things a day may seem like a drop in the bucket when you've got a to-do list as long as your arm, but you'd be amazed how quickly those bundles of three add up.
Try it for a week and see for yourself.
If you're not working off a written "to-do" or "task" list, start right away, you'll be amazed at how much more focused and productive you'll be.
Make it your best week, Joe
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