Smart Strategies for To Do Lists

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When it Comes to Lists – Less is More!  by Mike Song

I recently skimmed a 200 page book about how to create effective to-do lists.  For me, the “system” proposed was so complex, confusing and time consuming that only a handful of people could use it. Creating the daily lists alone was a 30 minute task — that equates to 15 business days a year!  Here some list advice from our Get Control! of Time Management class:

1. Go Weekly: Look at your big annual goals on Monday morning and create a list of roughly 15 major tasks that will help you make significant progress by Friday.  Rather using a 4 letter priority scheme — Argh — just add lower priority tasks to another section of your list making two simple priority sections – High and Low.

Since most tasks come via email these days – use the flag function to save the time needed to transfer them to a list. You can sort your inbox to make all flagged items pop to the top – which will help you attack what matters most.

This is important – for that rare email task that must be done by X date – left click on the email and drag and drop it into your calendar – Lotus and Outlook will convert it into a calendar item in a flash.  Now it will pop up on your smartphone as well as in Outlook or Lotus.

 

2. Focus on 3 Per Day: Each morning look at your weekly list and pick out 3 key tasks that will allow you to say — I made real progress towards achieving something great today.  Write them down on a post-it note and stick it to your monitor – focus like a laser on these items that day.

 

Why it Works:  The work day has become packed with interruptions, distractions, emergencies, and temptations. Dings, buzzes, and rings constantly pull you away from your core goals.  A weekly perspective allows you to rise about the noise and choppy seas so that you can chart a more steady course to real achievement.  If you’re interested in our incredibly affordable team or enterprise training options click here for our contact form.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]