Do you feel insanely busy all the time, but you’re not sure what you are actually accomplishing at the end of each day? One of the things we are taught is to make a to do list to help you get through your day efficiently. I’m here to tell you why you need a priority list and not a to do list.
Busy day? Time to create that list
We’ve all fallen victim of to do lists at one time or another in our lives. As we get older and take on more responsibilities, we have a natural pull to make to do lists.
These lists are tricky little things. They can be anywhere from 3 items to 20+ items long. Doesn’t reading that just overwhelm you?
To do lists are helpful if you have an open ended timeline, but most people don’t. They allow you to put things off with no real deadline.
Think about it, if you got a call for an incredible opportunity to work with your idol but it was taking place in the next 24 hours, would you pay much attention to that to do list? Probably not, you’d be putting everything you have into making sure that work was top notch and ready to go.
Negative effects of to do lists
Writing down a to do list will actually work against you if it’s too long. You will feel overwhelmed, unable and unsure of how to prioritize and probably not even get to half of the list.
You will also keep adding things to your to do lists and barely reduce from it.
If you weren’t already overwhelmed or confused enough, let’s throw in the work and personal life to do lists together!
Most people make one to do list, without realizing the items on their list are from a variety of topics, which also makes it very hard to prioritize work.
Prioritize, you say?
Here’s where we get to the good stuff. A priority list!
Instead of writing down 20 things you need to get done for the day, write 2-3 priorities. This allows you to prioritize important work and spend less time on busy work.
There is certainly a difference between being effective and efficient over just plain busy.
It might feel painful at first, because you’ll wonder how you’ll get the other stuff done.
Guess what? We live in a world where emails constantly remind us of the things we need to do. I’m willing to bet you check your email at least once a day and that alone could serve as your former to do list.
Remember, you own your agenda, it does not own you. You need to focus where it’s most important and stop wasting time being busy and not cranking out any actual quality work.
Quality over quantity every single time!
Summary
Have you already switched from a to do list to a priority list? How has it changed your life?
Share your thoughts with me by reaching out, in the comments or on Instagram, Pinterest or Facebook. Follow me while you’re at it, I love to connect!
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