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“To Do” lists can feel like demons you wrestle with daily in a never-ending battle, but there is a quick mindset shift that will help you feel better about the daily To Dos, and therefore you’ll be more productive.
Self-talk is self-programming. Moaning and feeling overwhelmed by too much to do weighs you down. This simple reframe will help you take control back:
Instead of running all your HAVE/SHOULD/MUST DOs through your head, ask, “What would I like to CREATE tomorrow?” (Planning is always best done in advance, to give processing time for even better solutions.)
For example:
- “I’d like to create a finished tax return – that’d feel great.” (Rather than “I have to do the tax or else.”)
- “I’d like to create an opportunity for her to say yes to my solution to her pain.” (Rather than “I should ring that prospect.”)
- “I’d like to create happy, healthy safe kids by making their lunches and connecting with them while doing the school run.”
- “I’d like to create spare time to create X by asking Marcus to do a school run.”
Have a play with this. It’s a great way to remind yourself to stay in your personal power – it’s your life, your choice and your perspective that determine your level of happiness, quality of life, and degree of success.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need a serious spring clean also follow these steps:
1. Clear all the clutter out of your head by writing your Mega To Do List. Draw up columns on paper (Excel spreadsheet if you prefer), label with Home, Work, Finances, Family, Health or whatever you wish, then start dumping everything you should, must, have, want to do down. Using columns helps process the next step.
2. Go through a column at a time, highlighting any urgent or totally non-negotiable (pick up kids at 3pm, pay mortgage) – diarise them, or delegate.
3. Cross out anything that’s really for someone else, not really important to you, or not your main focus in the next few months.
4. With what’s left, decide what’s most important to you and your goals. Then delete, delegate, or diarise.
5. Be more realistic in what can be achieved in a day. Allocate time. At the end of the day, if it’s not done, consider why and either delete, delegate or slot into another day. Avoid simply transferring all the not done items straight into the next already full day.
6. Choose your priorities – what do you most want to create tomorrow? When your morning alarm goes off, remember to remind yourself, “Today I’m creating …”
7. Remember: You don’t have to do it all alone. Allow yourself to ask for and receive help.
Next Steps
If you’d like, I can help you clear head trash off your path for smoother, faster progress. Contact me, Sue Lester, to discuss which options will suit you best and book your 15 minute chat on this link https://my.timetrade.com/book/SPXCJ