Scheduling a to-do list to get things done
Posted November 18th, 2013
When you go to the office in the morning, you may have an idea of what you would like to accomplish during the day. You many even have a clearly set up plan and ideas for how you are going to execute that plan. But, all too often, when you actually get to work, these intentions can fall prey to other demands that quickly crop up. As those in the military say, even the best plans seldom survive contact with the enemy.
So, the question arises as to whether there is anything we can do to make sure we get complete the things on our to-do or project lists. How can we zero in on the few things that are really important?
The secret, according to some experts, is routine, even a ritual, doing the same things at the same time day after day. Time management has to incorporate this idea of ritual if we are really to get things done. And this is more than just writing to-do lists. It’s making these things part of our very daily living.
One way to do this is by making a plan for the day. The first thing in the morning, you write up the most important things you want to achieve that day, the things that will really give you a sense of being productive. If you find you have too many things, take some off your calendar. Then you schedule time to do the remaining items or tasks for specific times during the day.
That last part is of key importance because studies have shown that if you don’t make an exact time to do a certain task, you are much less likely to do it. You need to have a clear idea as to when and where you are going to do something.
Then, these experts say, make a commitment to look at your list each hour to see how things are going, and to refocus your efforts. Each hour, take a look at the list to see if you have been accomplishing what you set out to do, and to think about how you’re are going to accomplish the remaining tasks.
Then, at the end of the day, review how things went. Ask yourself whether you accomplished what you set out to do, what strategies worked and what didn’t, and how you can improve for the future.
It is this ritual – doing the same thing the same way each day – that will carry you through and help you achieve what you want.
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