4 myths about to-do lists that are holding you back
To-do lists are emotional little things. They are so much more than meets the eye - and you know this by how they make you feel when they get messy, scribbled-on, tattered, or lost. I've noticed that my clients have a lot of gunk in their heads about what a to-do list should look like, as well as excuses for why theirs a crazy-maker. Working off of a shorter to-do list is a necessary skill that helps us to prioritize and be truly productive, not just busy. There are a lot of myths about to-dos and how to manage them. I'm on a crusade to get people to work off of a short, sane to-do list and have created 2 simple lists to get you started.
Download your 2 free to-do lists here.
The myths:
1. I’m a busy person, so my to-do list has to look busy.
The more you have on your plate, the bigger the need to whittle down your tasks and only see your priorities throughout the day. Also, with a hectic to-do list, you only feel hectic and get less done. Imagine barreling through your priorities with a clean slate for more tomorrow instead of revisiting tons of half-done tasks.
2. I need multiple lists to keep my head on straight
You actually still might need multiple lists so you can be sure to catch everything as it comes to you, but working off of more than one or two lists is crazy-making! If you insist on different lists for the different hats you wear, then go for it, but hold one streamlined, customized, inviting list as your go-to when actually sitting down to do it all.
3. My to-do list should be digital since pen-to-paper lists haven’t worked for me.
Most of my clients reveal to me that they don’t just have multiple paper lists, but multiple digital lists. They run to digital when analog has failed. Without revolutionizing the way you filter your priorities, digital will fail as fast as paper. For the type of out-of-sight-out-of-mind person I’ve been working with for 20 years, we usually settle on old fashioned paper. When the paper list is designed thoughtfully, accounting for ALL that is required of you (even the fun stuff), you might settle on a paper list for good.
4. I need to force myself to be linear and robotic with to-dos, because that’s what I see working for the people I admire.
I fell into this camp for years before I designed my first Accomplisheet*. I held myself to impossible standards of people who seemed to be more driven and focused than I was. They could sit down at the same time every day and pound out everything they set out to do. I liked to color outside the lines and leave breathing room in my day. I wanted to honor my natural habits, while not letting myself wiggle out of important tasks. I learned to prioritize my day visually, allowing room to evolve my to-do list format as my moods and workload changed. When creating a color-by-numbers style list (instead of a long linear one) I was free to be me AND I was crossing it all off at the end of the day too!
*What is an Accomplisheet? It's a single sheet fill-in-the-blank tool that prioritizes your tasks & rituals for a day or week. I've actually created a course that teaches you how to work off of one to get more done in less time. If you're reading this, you'll be the first to know when it becomes available (next week)!
Again, click here to download your 2 free printable PDF to-do lists.
