To Do Lists

I find that I can't focus on my to do list if it has too many items on it. I end up working on all of them simultaneously, going from one task to another, never really finishing any of them. Your post got me thinking of a way to accomplish more than a few tasks in one day, an idea I will try myself. What if you could prioritize your tasks in a different way. Maybe use post it notes. Write one task on each post it, then place them in the area where the task needs to be completed. You could use a master list that tells you what areas you need to be in. For example, if you need to wash the dishes, place a post it near the kitchen sink. If you need to go grocery shopping, place a post it near your wallet/purse or maybe in the car. If you have more than one task in a certain area, you could layer the post it notes on top of each other, promising not to look at the ones under the top until you have completed that task.

It sounds a little unusual, but it just may work.....

Oh get this...

I have a really nice leather daily planner. I always use it because I have learned that if I don't right it down, you can bet I will forget about it!  I've been doing this for years now. (I'm known to have my junk drawer organized!)

Lately though, I would say, the last month...I have been cramming so many things into one day only to scratch them all off at the end of the week because I haven't done the majority of them and I then write them in for the new week.

This has been going on for a few weeks now!

Now I'm not even writing in it anymore, or do I leave it opened. I just shove little pieces of paper in there & close it up so it looks nice!  LoL

My nicely organized day planner is now filled with so much crap & some pretty important stuff too that I'm going to have to enlist my husband to help me go through it all because I feel so darn overwhelmed to even start at it!

This is SO UNLIKE ME!

....the wheels on the bus go round and round...

 

I keep 2 lists.

The first is daily.
The second is long term.

It took a while to get my daily list "down." Like a year. So I don't have to use a check-off sheet everyday. It's memorized and down to zero stress.

If I get behind, I set a timer for 15 minutes and start cleaning in ONE room. Then 15 minutes in the next room. I usually only have 5 min in each room except the kitchen. It is a big boost to my mood to get it done.

The long term list I try to do one thing towards one goal every day. Today I got 2 things done. Felt really good!

If you are overwhelmed, pick the biggest thing. Not the most difficult, the biggest thing. Making the bed is a simple task that has a big visual impact. Start washing dishes - start with the largest items. Then stack everything and clean the counter. The kitchen will look 1/2 as messy with little work.

A long term solution is GET RID OF CLUTTER. Especially things that make you feel guilty or unhappy.

Like clothes that don't fit. Save your favorites and store them away so you don't look at them everyday. I did this and I get a big smile every morning knowing that no matter what I choose, I will feel comfy and look good.

Don't be afraid to give away or re-gift. I was given a set of ceramic Christmas bowls. Instead of letting them sit and feeling guilty about them, I'm regifting to someone who likes and uses these things.

Don't be afraid to STOP some of those hypomanic projects you never finished. I gave almost all my yarn to Goodwill. I know I'll get in a mood to knit in winter, so I kept a little bit. I threw away and gave away all unfinished projects that made me feel bad or guilty.

When I get a candle gift, I regift it. If I get a bath/body gift I either regift, donate, or USE IT UP ASAP. I can't handle that sort of clutter.

After getting divorced, I got rid of anything that had a memory attached to it. It took about 2 years, but now the emotions of the past are gone.

I am much happier with all that phyiscal and emotional clutter gone. As I was emptying my house I started thinking that everything I own is a commitment to take care of it. To dust it, polish it, clean it, replace damaged or worn parts, etc. I can reduce my to-do list simply by getting rid of unecessary things.

My favorite quote is "Remove needless things" and it applies to ever aspect of life, not just physical posessions. It applies to thinking - meditate. Meditate. Meditate! When writing, omit every word or sentence that is not necessary. When speaking, omit every sound that is not necessary.

Leaving all this "stuff" behind clears your mind in a powerful way and gets rid of that anxiety.

XOXO

Make your list with the things at the top that you have to do or there will be negative actions, like if you need to pay your power bill that day, that should be number one because if you don't your power is cut off, etc Then cut the list in half because the bottom items can probably wait...........

Gem