Managing all the to-do’s
When it comes to managing our tasks, everyone has their own way. We all have so many things to do, so much on our to do lists and a finite amount of time.
All the tasks that you have planned out in your head might seem very straight forward. You make a list, you plan to accomplish it within the day or week, it seems so simple. Right?
Progress can feel so satisfying, however, when you don’t complete your list, you’re left feeling unproductive and discouraged.
Here are several ways to raise your productivity and help yourself make it through your list…
- Work off just ONE list: Instead of using a draft of list and maybe a note here and a post-it there, having one separate place for your list is a must. Pick your method and begin combining lists. You might to try a to-do list app so you can change it as you are on the go.
- Control the contents: Make sure the tasks fit into two criteria…something important that you need to do (no one else can do it) and something urgent, that needs to be done that day.
- Assign some time: Estimate how long each task will take. Whether its two minutes or two hours, this way you can make a realistic choice about how much you will be able to get done in one day.
- Re-evaluate postponed tasks: If you postpone a task and especially if you do it more than once to the same task, evaluate why. Either it’s not that important or something is keeping you from completing it. Either way it’s a signal something is wrong.
- Reduce your meetings: If you still don’t find yourself finishing your list, try limiting your meetings. Before you schedule a meeting, decide if it can be settled through email, a phone call or perhaps stopping by someone’s office. If you must have a meeting, create an agenda, and keep the necessary participants to the fewest possible.
This may seem like a lot of parameters for something as straightforward as a to-do list. But 90 percent of the work involved when you’re completing tasks, are the planning and scheduling.
Restructuring and planning will be a huge savings in the long run and just think how happy you’ll be when you get a full day’s to-do list crossed off.
You’ll feel less stressed overall and without those less important tasks hanging over your head.
So, get yourself organized, get all your to-dos in one place, reduce your distractions, and start crushing that list!
Do you have a method to conquering all your to-dos?
Dave Baney is the founder and CEO of 55 Questions, LLC and author of “The 3×5 Coach: A Practical Guide to Coaching Your Team for Greater Results and Happier People”, which is now available in Paperback or a Kindle version at https://tinyurl.com/y8ecykfy
At 55 Questions, we work with successful top executives with a driving ambition to crush their competition. We help CEOs and Entrepreneurs improve alignment, communication and accountability throughout their organization. www.55Questions.com
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