Ten post-it notes and multiple to-do lists are commonly found scattered all over my desk. Can anyone relate? Does anyone else take one look at the to-do lists and instantly feel overwhelmed and scattered rather than inspired and motivated? “Where should I start? What deadlines were today?” Before I know it I am an hour into the workday and still just spinning my wheels.
I really wanted to start maximizing my day and feel prepared right when I sat down to work. So I created a daily list that breaks down the tasks in a way that just seems DOABLE. Listen up…it’s so simple. Everyday I plan to accomplish one big thing, three medium things, and five little things.
Let me tell you why it is so effective. When you are sifting through your post-its and multiple lists you can’t help but focus on all the huge projects that need working on, and this can be distracting and overwhelming. By breaking down your list and categorizing them as big, medium, and little it not only gives your day more clarity, but you don’t have ten huge projects written on an impossible-feeling to-do list.
Plus, this style of list gives you motivational options. If you sit down in the morning with your coffee feeling like you want to conquer the world, by all means, tackle the “big” thing right away. If you are a little slower moving the “little” things might sound more appealing. And once you knock a few of those little things off your list your motivation for bigger tasks will surely kick in.
I seriously want you to try this system, give it a week or even just a couple of days. I am so confident that you will feel more accomplished and more motivated. And there is no better feeling than that!
Here are a couple additional tips when implementing this list.
- Fill the list out at the end of the workday. That is when you have the best recollection of what did or didn’t get done. Plus then it will be all ready the next time you sit down to work.
- Workdays change all of the time; meetings come up, high priority emails come flooding in. So at least two hours before the end of your workday reevaluate how you are doing on your daily list, and make any necessary adjustments. I do this at 3 pm so that I still have time to finish up necessary projects for that particular day. Waiting until the end of the workday to discover you forgot to do something is never fun.
- Download a free printable of this list below. There are four lists on one 8.5×11” sheet. Just trim on the dotted lines and you’ll have four days of lists.
I hope this changes your workday like it did mine. Let me know how it is working for you!