Knock Out Your To-Do List Using These 8 Useful Tips
Disclosure: In our articles, we independently choose products and services to feature that we think you'll find useful. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of our links, we may earn a small commission.Keeping track of tasks, and actually getting them finished, often requires a to-do list. How effective you are can depend on how good your to-do list is. Here are some ways to organize your to-do list and to complete your tasks.
1. Know Your Goals and Prioritize
Making a to-do list from your goals is a great idea. When you work on your tasks, you will find that extra motivation that you need to get your tasks done, since you are working to your goal. Write down 1-5 goals. Each one should be medium to large in size so you can break them up into smaller parts and make a plan. Once you know your goals, prioritize them. Know which one is most important and put it at the top. If you do not have any overall goals, but just have a mixed up to-do list of countless tasks, then pick out the most important ones and prioritize them also.
2. Color Code Priorities
Once you have your priorities, color code them. Your most urgent tasks should be highlighted red or some other bright color. Those that are necessary but not urgent can be any color. If you have any tasks that do not need to be done soon, then you don’t have to color code them.
3. Add Easy-To-Remember Things to the List
If you find yourself not using a to-do list much or just not having many things on your to-do list, then here is a solution. Take those things that you remember to do and put them on the list. Be sure to check them off, too. This will get you into the swing of going to your to-do list for finishing tasks. Of course, once checking and working on your to-do list is a habit, you can take off the little things that are obvious and normal. This prevents you from being overwhelmed, while still working on good habits.
4. Write Down the Length of the Task
If you put down how long a task may take to complete, your list will automatically be more comprehensive. You will be able to prioritize better also. If you feel motivated to do the long and hard tasks by checking off all the small tasks, then you can organize your tasks from shortest to longest. If, however, you like to tackle the longest and hardest tasks first, organize them by longest to shortest. Every week, you should look at your completed tasks and assess how accurate your predictions of their length were. That way, you can improve your guesses for when you have new tasks.
5. Set Deadlines
Having dealines can help you organize your tasks. Those tasks that you find most important should have the nearest deadlines. Keep in mind how long tasks will take, as you won’t want deadlines that are not realistic. As you get closer and closer to deadlines, your priorities may change, so tackle the tasks that have the closest deadlines.
6. Make a Calendar
Use a calendar! If you only have a few things to do, or if you have a mile long list to complete, a calendar will help you. I recommend Google Calendar if you have a Google Account. You can use it for anything, and you can share with family members so they can help you stay focused. If you do not like Google Calendar or other traditional calendars, you may like to make your own. As long as you have a calendar that works for you, you will feel significantly more organized!
7. List All Tasks You Complete
This may seem unnecessary. Technically, it is. But many people find it motivating. Once you see your completed list longer than your to-do list, you will for sure feel good. That little bit of motivation can be just what you need to push through your tasks.
8. Try Different Methods
These tips work for many other people. If this exact combination does not work for you, don’t fret. Look up different methods and strateiges. Come up with your own combination. If you feel like following guidelines and rules strictly, then you may find it easier to get tasks done once you have found a method. For example, some swear by the Ivy Lee Method. That method has been used for over 100 years.
The bottom line is: find what works for you, organize and prioritize your tasks, and stay motivated!
If you liked this article, please check out others on planandorganize.com. With a wide range of topics from stargazing to video game design, you’ll find something that interests you.
Sources:
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/meggan-crum-get-it-done
https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/time-management/completing-to-do-list
https://organizingmoms.com/strategy-for-making-your-to-do-list-less-overwhelming/
https://organizingmoms.com/create-a-to-do-list-based-on-your-goals/
Steve is a staff writer at Plan and Organize™. He specializes in articles about technology and education yet often delves into home, business and finance topics.
RSS - Posts