Hi everyone,
Most people at one stage or another have sat down and put together a list of things they need to get done. Some people, like myself, do this on a regular basis. There are those who love lists and those that loath them!
I, of course, think they work. Now, I don’t necessarily get everything ticked off my list; but what I love about a list is that it gets things out of my head. Life is very busy and every day is filled with things we have to do for the family, the house, our job, with friends and usually, lastly for ourselves. And having that all jumping around my subconscious is just not for me.
So I write a list. This lightens my mental load. Seeing everything written down allows me to pick out the important stuff from the not-so-important stuff. And when I can do that, I can plan and prioritise my day. The very act of writing the list gives me a jump start to focus on the things that require my attention.
Today, however, I’m not going to talk about your Daily To-Do Lists, but about creating one MASTER To-Do list. This Master To-Do List is for your short term to-do’s. We’re not talking about your bucket list here. These are the tasks that are hurtling towards you every day, week and month so fast that many of them are remaining un-ticked!
Now you can create your own, however, if you subscribe to this blog, you can download the one I’ve created for FREE!
On the Master List I’ve created, I’ve split it up for To-Do’s associated with the home and family. And To-Do’s associated with your work day.
Master To-Do lists are particularly important if you are running your own business because God knows, it’s hard sometimes to pull away from the work stuff in order to stay on top of the house and family tasks. It’s also great if you have a busy full time job as well as a busy family life.
By splitting up your To-Do’s across home and work, you can see at a glance what you need to do in both “lives”. It will help you schedule your work so that you get home. Or it will allow you to slot some home tasks into your work day – such as “schedule the dentist” or “sign school notes”.
Once you have created your Master To-Do List you can then use them to create your daily or weekly To-Do lists. By referring to your Master Lists, you can take tasks from the Master and add them to your Daily or Weekly lists. That will help you get things done!
With Master Lists always remember:
1. Stick to the SAME list:
Don’t write your master list(s) in a notebook, and then continue it on a scrap of paper one day and then into an App another day. Keep ONE page/ App/ notebook and within easy reach as you never know when you’ll think of something to add onto it! If you use mine, you download it once, and then you can print off fresh copies as much as you like!
2. Refer to them regularly:
With master lists such as for the home, work or family these should be looked at everyday so that you can use them to create your daily or weekly to-do lists.
3. Use them to Prioritise:
When you can see clearly what you need or want to do written down in front of you, you become more aware of things you DON’T want to do. By using and referring to your Master List(s) you can get the necessary stuff done more efficiently, and learn to say No to the unnecessary. This then means you can spend time doing the stuff you actually WANT to do.
Lists can give you a lovely sense of accomplishment. You mightn’t think you’ve got through much in your day, but a list will confirm that in fact you did! And then you get the added pleasure of crossing things off your list!
You might even enjoy doing that so much, that you’ll add things you did onto your list just so that you can tick them off! …what? Is that just me?!
Happy Organising!
*”Proof” is removed once list is downloaded! Subscribe for Free here!