Efficiency Tip #2: List and Prioritize
I’m sure you’re saying, “Yes, Eric. I know that in order to be efficient I must list and prioritize my tasks,” but do you really do it? Most likely not. If you do, then you should still keep reading this post because you might just learn a thing or two. I’ve recently been practicing this method and found that it is working out well. Here are a few of the benefits of listing and prioritizing:
Keep track of your accomplishments
Keeping a prioritized list of things to do in a day or a week will allow you to keep track of the things you have accomplished. I keep it pretty simple; I just check off the tasks that I have completed during the day. I have also heard that some people enjoy writing out all of their completed tasks at the end of the day on a separate list to reiterate what was done during the day. No matter how you do it, keep track of your accomplishments so you can keep moving forward during the hard times.
Highlighters are your friend
It’s very easy for me to get lost in my daily list and it’s even easier for me to forget what really needs to get done and what can wait. To solve these two dilemmas, I use an orange and a blue highlighter to make certain tasks just out at me. For example, if I want to get something accomplished in the morning before I head out for work, I highlight it in orange. Also, if there is a task that is considered extremely urgent (paying a bill, meeting with someone, etc.), I will highlight that item in blue. Highlighters allow for you to divide your tasks even further.
Include work and play
A lot of folks only include work or non-leisure related tasks on their to-do list but it shouldn’t be this way. Instead, when making a list, some enjoyable tasks should be included. Not only do these enjoyable tasks provide a nice break in the day-to-day routine, but they also make you feel more accomplished. Why not include a specific number of pages you want to read that day? Why don’t you include the page you want to complete in your scrapbook? When you include these activities in your list, you’ll see them get done and you’re purposely creating leisure time for yourself.
Don’t do it
Yes, this is a bit of an oxymoron, but hear me out. When you are making your daily task list, be sure to include more than you’re able to accomplish. When you include an abundance of tasks, you are telling yourself that your time is in demand. If you complete all 50 tasks on your to-do list in one day, what are you going to do over the new few days? You got it–waste your time. In order to save your time, don’t do everything you have written down.
Tell it like it is
I’m guilty of over generalizing my to-do list. Tasks such as “Blog” and “Read Bible” really don’t do too much in the long run, Of course, it reminds me that I need to blog that day or read my Bible, but it doesn’t steer me in the right direction. Specifics minimize self-debating tendencies. If I were to write on my list that I need to “Blog about efficiency tips,” this would most likely speed up that period of my day instead of causing me to think of a topic, figure out what I’m going to say, and so on. Be specific in order to be productive.
What benefits have you gained from scheduling out your daily or weekly tasks? What strategies do you use to stay productive with your lists? Share with other readers in the comments section below!
