Have you ever had the feeling that no matter how much effort you put in, your to-do list keeps on growing and is getting out of control? The clock is ticking, the deadline is looming, yet there is still so much more to do. You are juggling tasks in a desperate attempt to complete them. You do not feel like you are making progress. Panic sets in. Have you ever thought about flipping your to-do list on its head? Rather than spending the day looking at what you have to do, how about looking at what you have already done whilst focusing on the task at hand? Intrigued? Read more to find out one of the technique I use to save the day.
I am a big advocate of starting the working day or week with a to-do list. It is an efficient way to make sure that you have a clear direction. You are in control, you are on track. And then the dreaded emails, phone calls, discussions by the water cooler happens! It is even worse when they include the phrases: “I want it done today”, “I need this done by the end of the week”. Yes but we are already Thursday and I have other things that need to be done by the end of the week! Slowly but surely, your sense of being in control dissipates. Your to-do list morphs into a huge slab of stone that you need to crack. Glancing at your to-do list and then at the clock makes you nervous. You spend valuable time worrying about not finishing off your commitments rather than actually working on them. You do not feel like you are making progress.
Remain motivated throughout the day or the week by using a list of achievements alongside your to-do list. Next time you get in the office: Continue reading
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