A Successful To Do List Requires Realistic Expectations

Sep 28, 2011 by Rebecca

How to Manage a Successful To Do List

Do you find yourself dreading your to do list?  Do you dread it so much that you basically ignore it?  Or possibly you’ve hated to do lists before and so have given up on them (either consciously or subconsciously).

The key to a successful to do list is to only have on it what you can reasonably do in the given period of time.

I have separate to do lists for today, this week, this month and long-term.  That way, I can realistically finish all the of today’s items on my list each day.  This keeps my to do list energizing as opposed to oppressive.  It feels great on the days that I have crossed everything off.  It feels even better to see my weekly list all checked off.  This keeps me motivated.

When you’ve got 50 things on one list, it is overwhelming. You feel like you will never dig yourself out of all the work.  Eventually, it gets to be too long and you simply start ignoring it.  Then a couple months later, when you’re having trouble juggling all that you have to do without a list, you start a new one.

Get yourself into the habit of judging how much you can accomplish in one day, one week, and/or one month.  Leave room for last minute additions.  This is the best way to have a to do list, stick with it, and really get full value out of it.

 

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Having a hard time managing yourself?  Do you know you could be more efficient, but could really use some accountability?  If you are having trouble getting on top of things, drop me an email at rebecca@whowinsandwhy.com or contact me here. I would be happy to answer any of your questions, or set up an free session to get you moving forward.

Photo by koalazymonkey