Helpful TO DO List/Not So Helpful TO DO List

Example of a NOT SO HELPFUL TO DO List:

Do taxes

Organize

Clean House

Buy gifts

Make calls

I see many a TO DO list that looks like the Not So Helpful TO DO List.  You will never be able to cross anything off that TO DO list.  It will feel and look like you never accomplish anything when in reality you are probably accomplishing a whole lot more than you realize.  Look at the example of the Helpful TO DO List and see if you can see the difference.

Example of a HELPFUL TO DO List:

              Gather donation receipts for taxes

              Organize kitchen utensil drawer

              Vacuum all rooms

              Order sweater for Mother’s Birthday

         Go to Target and get gift card for Sam’s birthday

Call Eye Doctor to reschedule appointment

         Call Sarah to see how she is feeling

         Call to schedule exterminator

The second list is a list of specific action steps you need to take.  When you look at the first list, you have to spend time figuring out exactly what step you have to take next.  When you look at the second list, your action steps are already in place.  The second list allows you to schedule your day more efficiently while crossing things off that dreaded TO DO list. 

Another option is to take the first list, do a brain dump, and put all the action steps needed for each item:

           Do taxes

         Gather donation receipts

         Calculate mileage

         Call Pharmacy for medication expenses summary

         Pull together home deductible expenses

         Organize

        Organize kitchen utensil drawer

        Clean out boy’s seasonal clothes

        Purge gift wrap

        De-clutter my shoes

Make your TO DO list work for you instead of just mindlessly writing down things TO DO.  Make your list actionable, easy to understand and easy to schedule. 

Let me know how you’ve changed your list and how it is working for you.  

I love hearing from you!