A To-Do List That Works
Hello, everybody. I hope you are enjoying your Sunday! I am reviewing and trying to come to terms with all the things I need to do this week. Since I have had a lot of "catch-up" work to do lately, I have tried to write to-do lists that will help me keep on track.
Being impatient to get on track again and to make up for lost time, I was writing very long and detailed to do lists for each day.
I have realized that, in my case, the best thing I can do is to write shorter and more specific lists of activities. Writing longer ones was leaving me with a sense of frustration instead of having one of accomplishment.
The idea of a to do list is not to overwhelm ourselves with the sheer amount of work that still needs to be done. Its main purpose must be to give direction and clarity to our actions and days. We need to have a clear idea of what we need to do but, we must not use our to do lists as a torture device with which we are going to make ourselves miserable.
As I see things, a to-do list has a more uplifting objective than that. It can and should help you have a clear idea of what your priorities are and should help you set a pace you are comfortable with.
Yes, a to-do list can and should be a little bit challenging so that it can help us move to the next level or task but...it must give us also a sense of satisfaction knowing that we are achieving goals no matter how small they might be.
If we are realistic when writing our to-do lists, we can get more accomplished and move on and write a new list. If something is not done yet...just write pending and keep it in mind. If something is partially done, write a side note reminding you to finish it and move on with confidence that you will.
If we tackle our chores and tasks with the confident expectation that we will accomplish them and with the honest satisfaction that we are doing our best to achieve our goasl, our days and work will be more productive, enjoyable and rewarding.
I love writing to-do lists and I know they are wonderful tools to keep us on track and on task.
Blessings,
Hilda
Recent Comments
35
to do lists scare me. I know I won't look at them when needed and I still spent quite some time crafting them.
So, thank you Hilda, maybe your system will work for me too, let's see.
Let me know if it works for you. A good to-do lists does not need to be scary. It must be encouraging and motivating. Happy birthday!!
Hilda
Thanks for sharing. I seem to be abe to get to-do list done for a couple of days and then seem to forget about it. I need to commit to a list every day for 30 days and maybe it will become a habit.
Yes, developing the habit is important. That is why, in my case, it is better to write shorter and more realistic lists so that I can move on to the next list.
Blessings,
Hilda
Thanks for the encouragement. I write to-do lists too and like crossing items off as they are done. My son-in-law is really good at lists and always has one. The best part is he actually is able to cross things off as he gets them done. Thank you for sharing. :)
It looks like both you and your son in law really benefit from those lists. Thanks for your feedback!
Blessings,
Hilda
You are so right about the To-Do List, but I leave the details out when writing my list down. My To-Do-List is short, and numbered one, two, three, and usually prioritized.
When I begin to tackle my list sometimes the order gets changed, some items get added, some subtracted, but the focus gets more detailed. It is in the details that many people lose their focus. So I get inspired when I read your blogs and thank you for helping me stay on track!
Ken
Wow, Ken!! You really know how to write an effective to-do list! Congratulations! I need to learn from you.
Blessings,
Hilda
I am a big big fan of to do lists. It is the last thing I do before I go to bed at night for the next day or for the week ahead.
Bonnie
I also try to write them in the evening and if something comes up in the morning, I would usually add it, too. Now, I am trying to write shorter ones. Thanks for sharing!
Blessings,
Hilda
Writing them can help you give more direction to your tasks. My problem was that my lists were getting to long and demanding.
Blessings,
Hilda
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My To Do list has 3 sections "To Do", "Doing" and "Done". The "Done" section helps to keep me motivated by reminding me of what I have accomplished. ~Marion
Valid point Marion.
Bishop
That's an excellent tip, Marion!! I will implement it in my next to do list. Blessings,
Hilda