Mar 12
I keep a running To-Do list on my desk—it’s a 5×8 spiral notebook and my list of tasks typically spans about two pages. This used to make me nuts! But last year I tried something new that has worked wonders for me, though it is ridiculously simple.
I scan the list each morning and select three to five items that I plan to accomplish that day. I write them on a sticky note and place it on top of the list. This ensures that at least three items will get crossed off each day and helps keep priorities in order.
Yep, it’s that simple. Then on Fridays, I copy over any remaining items to a fresh new list for the following week.
I hope this helps you too!
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March 12th, 2010 at 11:48 am
Such a great idea, Stephanie! I do something similar. I keep a notebook and have a lonnnnng to-do list in it, but I keep a separate “journal” page for each day – to capture notes and voicemail messages, etc. At the top of the daily page I write “FOCUS FIVE” and list 5 things from my to-do list – if I get through them, I just pull more from the lonnnnng list. It’s fun to see things getting crossed off instead of sweating the enormity of it all, right?
March 18th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
[...] that’s just what you need. In other cases, simple solutions may do everything you need. Stephanie Chandler, for example, found that she could better organize her time by using a simple 5” x 8” notebook [...]
March 19th, 2010 at 1:52 am
Thank you Stephanie and Barbara. Fantastic ideas. I’ve just left my 9-5 job to work independently from home. Your ideas will help my focus more on the tasks.
March 29th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I like Barbara’s use of “Focus Five” and adding more items to the list when time allows. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t occasionally struggle with time management and productivity so anything you can find to help is great!
May 21st, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Thanks for this tip Stephanie! I actually just finished clearing off my desk, and was complaining to my husband about my lengthy “to do” list, how to tackle it, organize my in box, etc. I will try your simple tip. It always feels great to scratch something of a list!