“Don’t let your to-do list control you.”
I tell myself this all the time. To-do lists never end. There will always be things that need to get done. I know this. And, in general, I’m pretty good at staying level headed even as the list grows longer. Sometimes though.. it takes over every thought and my mind is racing so fast thinking about everything that I have to do that I can’t focus it on a single task. I’m sure you can only imagine how counter-productive this is.
Let’s take a glimpse into my to-do list this week, shall we?
- Read two more required books for YTT, finish reading a third.
- Write my 10-page reflection paper for YTT.
- (As well as, two 1-pagers.)
- Finish two blog designs.
- Complete Illustrator online course lesson and homework #1 and 2.
- Email photo client with info/updates.
- Laundry/clean room.
- Write blog posts for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- Go to yoga at least two more times this week.
- Spend as much time with family and friends as I can before YTT starts and I disappear off the face of the earth.
Soooo … yeah that’s a lot. Especially when you factor in 40 hours of photography class/assignments, a commute and Physical Therapy. We will brush by the fact that I’m taking on a lot at the moment. Yes, I know. I’m taking steps to fix it but that’s a post for another day.
The reward for finishing all this? I get to catch up on Homeland and Revenge. ommggggimsooobsessedwithhomeland.
I think that’s what makes this to-do list so painful.. all I really want to do is watch Homeland haha 
But anyways, onto the point of this point. Tackling my to-do list. Here’s how I plan to do it:
- Get 8 hours of sleep. Go to bed early, wake up early. I am so focused in the mornings but I can’t be productive if I’m too tired to get out of bed.
- Unplug from social media. I’ve been trying as much as I can to stay off of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Email and other time sucks.
- Avoid multi-tasking. Even though it’s so tempting right now, I’ve been trying to wait until I’m done with one thing before I move on to the next. (#2 helps with this.)
- Adhere to the 5 minute rule. If I can do something in 5-minutes or less, I do it right when I think of it and move on.
- Set up a system. I use a combination of post-it notes and my planner to set reminders, write out goals and plan my week. I love how my planner keeps everything in one place, but I love how post-it notes allow me to scribble all over the place and cross things off when I complete them.
- Take breaks. Did I mention Homeland already?
It’s times like these that I don’t know what I’d do without my Erin Condren Planner..
How do you tackle your to-do list? How do you ensure that you don’t take on too much?
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Great tips! I started using a planner this year as well. I have my appointments, to do items, WW meeting and workouts listed out so I know how my week is going. So far so good!
ekkk 10 page reflection paper?!? I haven’t written a paper in 2 years, I wouldn’t even know where to begin! Good luck with your to-do list! I love that you put sleeping for 8 hours a night as a way to help you get things done. I am a huge believer in going to bed early. I am way more productive that way! Nothing comes in between me and my sleep lol
I am also obsessed with Homeland! SO GOOD. I’m curious to see where the show goes next season, but I won’t spoil anything for you
I’ve heard such good things about Homeland, will have to check it out!
I find the unplugging from social media (and all distractions really) the most helpful, but also the most difficult, when it comes to tackling a big list of to-do’s! Good luck with yours!
I like all these tips- I think you should give yourself nightly breaks for Homeland- like be as productive as possible until 8, then watch one episode of Homeland, go to bed and then wake up in the morning to do it again haha. At least a couple of nights this week. I find small rewards for productivity helpful to my motivation!
This is a great post! For me, the life planner has truly been an amazing addition! I went through my entire calendar at work and add in meetings to it as well. It’s so perfect for meetings with follow ups so I can put the action items right in the “day” section and tasks don’t get lost in the notebook that I use for all meeting notes, etc. Then if I see something that didn’t happen, it’s right in front of me and I move it to the next day. I have you to thank for this new approach
Plus, it’s pretty! I chose this one in purple and black: http://www.erincondren.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=1156&products_id=3502
Totally agree with the multi-tasking tip and the 5 minute rule. Often the things we hate doing the most take the least amount of time. I’ve also tried to start managing expectations better. It’s all too easy to say “yes” to every request, but sometimes you need to admit that you need help.
Happy New Year Caroline! Miss you down here!
Omg managing expectations is so tough! That’s been one of the biggest things I’ve needed to work on this year.. and being OK with saying “no”.
I miss you, too! Hope all is well!
I really need to start making a to-do list and sticking with it. I always have like a vague idea of what I should do each day, but I feel like having it down on writing makes me more likely to stick with it.
Definitely! It also keeps me focused. As soon as I get off track, I’m like, “okay.. what should I be doing right now..” and look at my to-do list.
I love that 5 minute rule … I’ve started applying that.
Oh how I LOVE that planner! A planner with a goals and to do list built in on the side? Perfect!
I can relate to you 100% about letting your to do list control you sometimes. It’s so hard for me to sit down and relax because I typically have the mindset that there’s always something to do – so how could I possibly rest? But not resting just screws up those tasks later!
Love your tips. Best of luck with your busyness!
I love the 5 minute rule. I read the Happiness Project last year and in it she talks about the 10 minute rule – every night spend 10 minutes just picking up and tidying up. It marks an end to the day and a fresh start the next morning. I always make sure to stick to that with dishes especially. They pile up without a dishwasher.
ps – Homeland is my current obsession too. I highly encourage Homeland breaks.
Great tips! I can get over whelmed by my to do lists, so I try to break it down into daily tasks or weekly tasks, depending on how much I have to get done. I have quite the to do list going right now with this potential move to Charlotte. There are so many phone conversations to have and research to do and people to keep posted and emails to return. It’s a bit overwhelming so I am just trying to take it a task at a time.