Do you ever make a to-do list and have the best intentions of getting everything done, but then by the end of the day you realize you got a lot of “stuff” done, but not what you actually NEEDED to get done?
I know you can’t see me, but I am definitely raising both my hands, because that describes me to a T. Well, as least it used to.
I’ve been known to write anything and everything on a to-do list to make myself feel super productive (I’m a 3 what can I say?), but then I push certain tasks off that need to be done for a super long time, while at the same time getting a lot of “other stuff” done.
Also, I definitely like the feeling of a completed to-do list, but as you guys know, that rarely happens!
However, now I have a system that fixes both of these problems: I get stuff I NEED to get done, done and I feel accomplished even if I don’t complete the list.
Also, this system is super easy, it literally takes me maybe an extra minute each day, and is super easy to implement.
So what’s the system?
Well first, make your to-do list as you always have.
Next, start prioritizing items on your to-do list. My system is as follows:
1: Have to get done today
2: Would really like to get done today
3: If time, would be nice to get done today
*Star: brain break
Hopefully these categories are self-explanatory, but what I tell myself is that all my “1’s,” or my have to do today/don’t push back another day, have to be done by the end of the day. If I get these all done then I feel accomplished!
2’s are ones I would really like to get done, but if they get pushed back, it will be okay. And 3’s are on the list because they need to be done eventually, but maybe they aren’t super urgent.
Now here is the kicker, the star category is a brain break. Now a brain break for me will probably look different for you. For example, I really enjoy folding laundry because I usually will watch Netflix or Youtube for a few minutes while I fold them. This to me is a brain break.
If I made a to-do list in the past, before this system, I would have gravitated to the “brain breaks” first and dreaded the rest of the list. But now, I am conscious of the tasks that I enjoy and I make sure I spread them out, rather then doing them all first thing.
And that’s it! It’s really pretty simple, and I find myself getting more of what I need to get done, done!
What is a tip you have for me to increase productivity?
Thanks for stopping by!
-Kasey