7 Steps to a Less Stressful To-Do List
This holiday season, as with all holiday seasons before it, Santa was fast at work making his list and checking it twice. When it comes to list making, he is the master. Can you imagine how difficult it must be to be responsible for and track each person’s naughty or nice status and cross-reference it with what he or she wants? Even with the most advanced Excel skills, this would be a daunting task. But each year that jolly old elf manages to do it and, presumably, maintains everything he needs to in his own life.
Frankly, I don’t know how he does it. Or, I don’t know how he does it and maintains such a jolly disposition. As a working mom with a full-time job, I also spend my days making lists, but rarely do I ever get back to checking them twice. How does one find time for that? Rather than checking them, I am constantly adding to them, making multiple ones, and trying to keep my work thoughts at work and my home thoughts at home. Before the day is through, I typically forgo the list. It’s just another item I have to do. It’s become quite obvious that I’m doing it wrong.
So, how does one make a list that’s worth checking twice and actually helps? I knew the answer had to live in Google somewhere, so I began looking. It turns out, it did have the answer! Or actually, lots of answers. I’ve complied those I felt were most helpful here. Have your own techniques that work? We’d love to hear about them!
- Use the list for only to-dos. There shouldn’t be any notes or ideas on your list. If there are, it will just be a representation of your cluttered mind, not a helpful tool. On the flip side, you can’t focus on to-dos with a cluttered mind, which leads to the next tip.
- Find a place to “mind dump” all of your ideas and notes. I use a Passion Planner, which I love.
- Make the list the night before. If you’re like me at the end of the night, the lingering to-dos on your list are still bouncing around in your head. Take what you couldn’t accomplish that day, forgive yourself, and move them to the list for tomorrow.
- Include on your list only things you think you can get done that day. This is my biggest downfall. As we all know, the list of mom to-dos never ends. Trying to capture them all makes everything seem more daunting than it needs to be, creates a mental block, and adds to more stress.
- Do not include projects. Projects belong on your list of ideas and notes. The to-do list should only include those steps that you think can accomplish toward that project each day.
- Accomplish the big tasks first before starting on the more menial tasks. At work, this can mean finishing a project that is due before getting stuck on emails. At home, it could be getting the vacuuming out of the way before getting stuck in the never-ending tasks of dishes or laundry.
- If there is one item on your list that is bugging you, just do it! If you find that a task keeps getting bumped from day to day and it starts causing you stress, make that the first thing you do the next day and get that brain space back!
References:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/vanessaloder/2014/06/02/five-best-to-do-list-tips/#331800a951b5
December 27, 2016 @ 9:07 am
Love this so much! I am the person who makes a HUGE list and then feels bad because I never even make it half way down the list.
December 27, 2016 @ 9:23 am
I make one list every night for what I need to really get done. At bottom are items listed if I get to them. Less stress for me.
December 27, 2016 @ 10:46 am
I make to-do lists. Unfortunately I either never finish them, or I get so overwhelmed I stop looking at it lol. I am a single mom, working full time, trying to get my freelance business off the ground. I really need to stick to my list and stop winging it lol.
December 27, 2016 @ 1:16 pm
I would be lost with out my to do lists!!! I know I have a couple running at all times family, work, and household to do lists.
December 27, 2016 @ 2:39 pm
I love this! I wouldn’t be able to function without my lists! I definitely think one of my downfalls is that I pile it too high and include too many things on it!
December 27, 2016 @ 3:35 pm
Great tips! I need to stop scribbling ideas and other things onto my to do list. It definitely gets cluttered.
December 27, 2016 @ 6:55 pm
I’m always looking for ways to reduce the stress in my life. And I always have a to-do list. thanks for sharing your tips.
December 27, 2016 @ 7:09 pm
Great tips! I’ve heard good things about Passion Planners.
December 31, 2016 @ 8:54 am
I was skeptical but they really are amazing. I’m on my third year of “passion planning”.
December 27, 2016 @ 7:52 pm
These are great ideas. I am pretty good an limiting my to do list to what I know I can get done in a day. My husband makes to do lists for months.
December 27, 2016 @ 10:20 pm
Ah this is pretty clever. My lists sometimes become messy with side-notes and reminders. I like these ideas!
December 28, 2016 @ 11:26 am
These are great steps to lesson the stress of a to do list. I know that it really helps to have a planner to put your to do items on the night before so you are not thinking about when you go to bed. Thanks for sharing these awesome steps.
December 28, 2016 @ 11:54 am
I need to use lists more in my life. It would help me complete everything I need to get done. I’ll use your steps to get started.
December 31, 2016 @ 8:53 am
Let’s us know how you do!
December 28, 2016 @ 2:06 pm
I have a running to do list that I use to manage my life, house and business. Then I have have a whole separate list for ideas, and brainstorms and all the randomness that jumps in my brain. My weird little system, totally helps me maintain my sanity!
December 31, 2016 @ 8:52 am
🙂 Always stick with what works for you!
December 28, 2016 @ 2:40 pm
I really need to keep these tips in mind. Especially the point that if you have an item on your to-do list that is stressing you out just get it done and get over it. That is so true.
December 31, 2016 @ 8:51 am
That’s the hardest one for me to keep in mind too.
December 29, 2016 @ 12:55 am
Great suggestions!!! I always do the hard things first of the night so fun things. I always leave the exciting things for last. That way I have something to look forward to
December 31, 2016 @ 8:50 am
Great idea! It always helps to have motivation!
January 1, 2017 @ 8:33 am
My to do lists are totally overwhelming. I try to break it down into reasonable amounts each day, but it is so hard! There is just too much to accomplish.