A to-do list helps you reduce stress since you know what you need to do/ Organizing with to do lists sounds simple, but many people are unable to use them to their advantage. A to-do list sounds forced, and it is like the list of tasks that you know you have to do, but you don’t want to do. However, a to-do list does not have to be something you abhor. When utilized properly, the to-do list is one of the best ways to plan and accomplish things on a daily basis. Many successful people have made it a part of their daily lives.
While most people undermine the importance of to-do lists, you can start to use it today and see the difference yourself. The main problem with to do lists is related to psychology. When you have written it down that you want to accomplish something, you write it in a to-do list. When you complete the task, you get the satisfaction of having completed the task at hand. This makes you instantly feel better. Research has shown that you are most likely to get something done when you write it down.
However, the problem is when you do not complete it. Life happens, and maybe you missed something that you were supposed to do. But it doesn’t have to be that way anymore. You can use the following tips so that you are effectively organizing with to do lists every single day and doing what you intend to do.
Your memory might be great but don’t always trust it.
Some of you must be thinking that since you remember everything, there is no use of a to-do list. Think again. While you might have the best memory in the world if something unexpected happens, will you still remember all that you have to do? People tend to go blank if something unexpected occurs and this is why to do lists save the day. The to-do lists don’t even take a long time so you should not see them as a waste of time. They summarize what you need to do so you know what you must do in the day.
Even if your memory is great, make it a habit of using of to-do lists so that you stop procrastinating and start doing something that you have written on the list. This will free up your mind, and you won’t be scratching your head trying to remember what you were supposed to do.
Daily planning to master to-do lists
One way you can realize the importance of to-do lists is to get in the habit of planning on a daily basis. The benefit of this is that you will start to get in the great habit of
Make use of a free Sunday evening.
Sunday evening is a great time to plan the rest of your week. You might have new appointments or tasks to do which you can then plan according to how you want to do them. You can use your planner to decide what all you need to get done by the end of the week. Then you can determine which days are best for doing those tasks and activities. This will refresh your mind about what all you are supposed to do. You can organize with much more ease in this way since you will be mentally prepared for what you need to do.
If you are complaining that your Sunday evenings are for enjoyment, then see this as an investment. When you do schedule time to plan and organize, you are not going to regret it because you will get something out of it. You will be happy you started.
How you can look forward to master to-do lists
It is great if you look forward to organizing with to-do lists, but it is not always the case. You should get the to-do a list of your dreams. That is, use the color of paper that makes you feel great and dedicate some time in deciding the kind of paper where you will be writing you to do list. The to-do list should ideally fit inside your planner easily so that they are always together and you can easily plan your day. It will increase clarity and decrease confusion too so when you write a to-do list; it will make sense and be correct.
Do you get ideas when you are in other areas of your house? Then you can keep notepads, use your phone, or keep magnets on your refrigerator so that whenever you get an idea, you can use it to write the new task on those. Then transfer it to the to-do list.
Misplace your lists often? Do this
Do you tend to write something on a small piece of paper or at the back of something such as your notepad? Then it is high time that you stop. If you do this, then you will most probably misplace that piece of paper or notebook or forget where you had written the important piece of information. Don’t write anything on any paper, no matter how fancy looking it is if it is not your to-do list. You should avoid the temptation at all costs to ensure that you do not misplace your important to do list.
Another thing you can try is to place the to do list someplace where you know that you will see. This will ensure that the to-do list is in a prominent place. Don’t shift the to-do list all over the place. Let it remain in the same place you always keep it in.
Be proud of yourself when you are regularly organizing with to do lists.
You will feel a sense of achievement when you are organizing with the help of to do lists. When you write down what you need to do on a daily basis, and you cross it off, you will feel fantastic. This will inspire you to be more organized which will benefit you immensely as you are more likely to be productive. You should only cross the items from the list after you have completed them entirely. For example, if you are going out to do something don’t immediately cross it off. Only cross it off when you get the task at hand completed.
This will keep you happy, and you will know what you have surely completed. Don’t forget to reschedule whatever you couldn’t complete today. Some things are out of your control so don’t be hard on yourself because of this.
Make the to-do list your friend and not your enemy because it has your back. Master to do lists and look forward to each day. Soon you will begin to realize that you are getting a lot of things done. To do lists help to make planning a hassle-free task. It can work as a gentle reminder of everything that you have done when you cross off things that you have completed. If you have not started to use the to-do lists yet, then it is time to do so now. Use the to-do list on a daily basis and see how everything turns out to be more organized in your life.
