Daily To-Do List
Chances are that you probably already have a to-do list stored somewhere. Why do we even need to-do lists in the first place? Today, we will discuss why it’s important to have a daily to-do list, and the best practices. First, let’s take a step back. We all have goals. Our biggest goals will take years to complete and have different parts to them. Since we can’t accomplish these overnight, we need to break our large goals down into smaller projects. For instance, if Susan wants to become a veterinarian, she will need to go to school, pass her exams and earn her certifications. She will also need to practice. These short-term goals will accompany her long-term goal.
Image by Glenn Carstens-Peters
Generally speaking, we need to set short-term goals so that we can achieve long-term goals. These short-term goals become projects and projects become tasks. Once you determine what your tasks are, it can be tempting to try to complete them all in one sitting. But we’ve all tried that before, and didn’t get very far.
In order to complete projects, you not only need to break them down into smaller tasks, but it helps to make a daily commitment to completing them. This is why it’s important to have a daily to-do list:
It allows you to plan your project and break it down into realistic, time sensitive phases throughout days
You can plan tasks around your schedule, appointments and location
You get to start your day knowing exactly what you need to do without having waste time planning your day every morning
You get to prioritize other tasks like chores and taking care of yourself
It makes it easier to build healthy daily habits
How to Create an Effective Daily To-Do List
Start with a Brain Dump
Take a few minutes to write down everything you need to get done. Don’t worry about the order—just get it all out of your head onto paper or digitally. We recommend doing this once or twice a week. You can also do this every night if you have shifting priorities with different moving parts.
Break Down Larger Tasks
If you have a big task that feels overwhelming, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to start and gives you a clearer path to completion.
Prioritize Your Tasks
Once you have your list, go through and rank your tasks by priority. What absolutely needs to get done today? What can wait? Highlight your top three to five tasks that must be completed today.
Review and Adjust
At the end of the day, take a few minutes to review your to-do list. Celebrate what you’ve accomplished and adjust your list for the next day based on what still needs to be done. Remember, your daily to-do list is a tool meant to help you, not to be a source of stress. It’s okay if you don’t complete every task every day.
Incorporating To-Do Lists into Your Routine
The key to making daily to-do lists work for you is consistency. Try to make it a habit to have a list prepared for each day, even on weekends. After you practice creating and using a to-do list on a daily basis, you’ll gain a better understanding of your own schedule and work-flow. Try to create your daily to-do list for the next two to seven days ahead. Eventually, you can create a weekly plan with your to-do lists mapped out for each day of the week. You can also eventually decide if you want to use an app or a notebook to manage your to-do list.
The daily to-do list allows you to begin your day with peace of mind. You will start every day knowing exactly what you need to do. It’s as simple as that. You won’t need to stress as much thinking about what you need to do next, you can always refer to your list. If you don't accomplish all of your daily tasks, there's always tomorrow. It also helps you understand if you need to adjust the workload, or split it into even smaller tasks. Even if you didn't accomplish everything you were planning that day, chances you were more productive than if you didn’t have a to-do list in the first place.
Image by Don Shetterly
If you throw a bucket of water on a rock, it will have no effect on the rock. But a single drip of water on the same rock every day after many years, will cause the rock to crack and erode. Your work is valuable, it deserves your full attention. Having a daily to-do list will allow you to focus your energy on your work, perfecting it, and how you can improve it.
If you need help creating daily to-do lists, contact us today. We will work with you to understand your goals, turn it into a plan, and split it into tasks. We will hold you accountable to your goals, and customize your to-do lists based on your life and work-flow. We are patient, confidential and judgement-free.
Until next time, stay balanced!