Clean-up Your Schedule
If you’re like me, you have a never-ending list of things to do. Sometimes, I lay down with the list running through my head. I can’t sleep- or sleep well. It’s like my brain is trying not to forget; so like a broken record, it keeps playing the same thought over and over again.
For me, I found a brain dump works very well. That’s when you write down everything that you can think of. Now, your subconscious is free to rest. It doesn’t have to try to remember.
Next, you actually have to look at the list. Check it frequently, to check off things completed and add on new tasks. A checked off list carries a sense of accomplishment. Recently someone suggested, keeping your list in a little notebook so that you can see, over time, that you are actually getting tasks completed. Hopefully you see that works better than starting a new list several times a week; on a sheet of paper, in a random notebook, or in a phone app.
Each day it feels like you check off two things and add three more. Don’t add disorganization to boot. It can be costing you big time. Things that you aren’t getting done, things you are wasting time doing, things you are forgetting about, not showing
up on time, forgetting about this and that- all can be costing you time, money, relationships, reputation, credibility, etc.
In business you learn time is worth money. The goal is to spend your working hours engaged in the tasks that have the greatest return on investment. The same principal applies in life. You have limited amount of time in your day. You won’t be able to get everything done on your list, but consider the time against the tasks that hold the greater priority and give the greatest part of your day to getting those things done. Time with God, your family, good friends, and self-care should be on your calendar. It’s easy to take them for granted; intending to make up your absence when things settle down. Relationships must be nurtured; so include them on your list. Be in the moment. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but you do have to be intentional in giving attention.
Whether in business or in your personal life, give attention to organizing your calendar, schedule, or to-do list. Identify the most important things, the lesser important things, and least important things. Consider the idea of keeping everything in one little notebook that you carry with you and can easily access. Mix business and personal- so you don’t have to try to manage two lists. Apply Pareto’s Principal. Spend 80% of your time on the top 20% of your priorities- those things that will yield the greatest impact.
