Feeling overwhelmed by having to complete a myriad of responsibilities in a limited amount of time? Personal and professional responsibilities that overlap each other are prone to trigger stress, especially if extreme busyness often makes you forget something important. To prevent that from happening, why not try making a neat and well-organized to-do list? Through this list, you can more easily set priorities, keep track of unfinished tasks, and increase day-to-day productivity.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Summarizing Activity Details
Step 1. Determine the most appropriate media
If you access your phone more than your agenda, try jotting down a to-do list in your phone app. On the other hand, if you don't want to stare at your phone or computer screen all day, try writing it down on a piece of paper or a special agenda. If it's not tailored to your preferences, it's likely that the to-do list will be less effective.
In fact, there are apps like Any.do, Wunderlist, and Pocket Lists that you can download and use to manage your daily activities more effectively
Step 2. List everything you need to get done
The arrangement can be filled with less important things such as "Bath" to important things such as "Finishing material for next week's presentation" or "Looking for Mama's birthday present next month". As you can see, the three tasks are of different nature, importance and duration. At this stage, don't rush into categorizing them; just write down all the tasks, responsibilities or activities that come to mind.
- Feel free to write down everything that comes to mind on paper. By doing so, you will feel more relieved as well as help not to forget any responsibilities.
- This list is your main to-do list.
Step 3. Ask others for help, if necessary
After compiling a list of activities that need to be completed, determine whether or not it is necessary to ask others for help. In fact, you shouldn't hesitate to ask someone else for help if you feel really overwhelmed or have a very limited time! Avoid the urge to manage things alone! If the task can be delegated to someone else, feel free to do it!
Part 2 of 3: Managing Activities
Step 1. Group the tasks listed on the main list into categories
For example, you could create categories “responsibility at work” and “responsibility at home”. Doing so will help you to better focus your attention and energy on each task. For example, you can save more time by not having to check the “responsibility at home” category when you are at work.
To maximize productivity, imagine that you are placing all your tasks in an aisle in front of you. Once you've done that, try to eliminate distracting noises and try to focus your attention on a specific set of tasks. In other words, stop worrying about unnecessary tasks or responsibilities that day
Step 2. Make a list of activities for one day only
Doing so will help you to manage your responsibilities according to their priorities. In addition, you will also not feel burdened because you "don't have" responsibilities that must be completed tomorrow, next week, or even next month! Focus on what you can complete within 24 hours. Ideally, the number of activities you should complete in one day should not exceed ten or even five activities.
- If you don't know where to start, try speeding up your bedtime. What tasks really need to be done at that hour? Once you find it, add it to your priority list!
- Use the main to-do list as a reference for your daily tasks. After making a daily to-do list or to-do list, get rid of your main to-do list right away!
Step 3. Estimate the duration of each task or responsibility
Think realistically! If you don't spend enough time or are too obsessed with getting each task done as quickly as possible, you're more likely to be attacked by even more stress. Believe me, you will not be able to work productively if you are constantly confused. Therefore, measure the duration of each task objectively and realistically and plan your activity schedule based on that estimate.
Allow about 10-15 minutes between each responsibility. In fact, you really can't move from one task to another without a break, right?
Step 4. Create the to-do list to make it look more interesting
Even though it feels less important, these actions can actually change your perspective on the to-do list in a more positive direction! Try writing or typing a to-do list in your favorite color, pasting it on some interesting colored cardboard, or designing it on your phone. Do whatever it takes to increase your motivation to complete the various responsibilities in it!
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Commitments
Step 1. Write down the deadline for each task listed on the main task list
Trust me, doing so will make it easier for you to compile a daily to-do list, especially since the responsibilities that pile up are prone to making you forget about tasks that are considered less significant or emergency. Make a daily list by referring to the deadlines of each task listed in the master list!
- If a task or responsibility doesn't have a deadline, try setting one yourself.
- Without a clear and structured plan, insignificant responsibilities can easily be forgotten.
Step 2. Put the list in a place where you can see it often
There's no point in compiling a to-do list if you then put the paper in a drawer and forget it. Therefore, always put the list where you see it often! That way, you will not forget it and be more motivated to quickly complete all the responsibilities in it.
Take the list with you wherever you go. If necessary, stick a copy on the bathroom mirror or tuck it in your purse. Make sure you can see and access them easily
Step 3. Give someone a copy of your to-do list
For example, you can give it to a parent, friend, spouse, or coworker; most importantly, make sure the person is able to monitor your progress. If someone else knows the to-do list, you'll feel even more reluctant to procrastinate, right?
