If you’re like most people in this over-extended 21st-century world of work, your do-do list is massive and seems never-ending. How can you make sure to get it all done?
My strategy may not work for you, but here’s what I do:
- I live and die by my calendar. Everything in my world of work goes on it, color-coded so I pay attention to the different kinds of tasks.
- I create deadlines. Sometimes these are made up. Most times they are well in advance of when I will truly need them. And always they are on my calendar.
- Each week, I create an immediate list that I put on a whiteboard behind my monitor. That way, I get a visual reminder of the more unusual tasks and obligations ahead, and I feel good as I mentally check each one off.
- Notes, notes, notes! I take notes all the time, whether I’m talking to my bank, my web development team, a group that wants me to present, or a client. I write by hand to create that brain-body connection and because I find I remember things better that way. Then, as needed, I enter that info in a more official place so I can see it on my calendar and I can re-check my original notes if something isn’t clear.
- And I don’t forget breaks. This is especially important during overwhelming times. You may know the Gandhi quote, “I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours instead of one.” Whether or not meditation is part of your daily practice, you should absolutely schedule breaks when you are at your busiest. Take a lunch. Get up and stretch. Weather permitting, go for a little walk. These times away from your tasks will refresh your brain and let you refocus so you can be that much more effective when you get back to work.
Do you have any great tips for keeping on top of a huge list of things to do? I’d love to hear them!
