5 Reasons Why You Need a Shorter To-Do List to Get More Done
Download your free to-do lists here.
Most people are working off of to-do lists that are way to long and messy! When I'm brought in to help someone organize their office, often the conversations bring up their feelings of overwhelm in many areas of life. When I hear this, I can usually predict that a too-long, too-scattered, or too-messy to-do list is lurking. Almost as often as I've helped people clear their desks, I've helped people to declutter and prioritize their to-dos.
A short, prioritized to-do list can work wonders in giving you the focus needed to get more done each day. Short 'n sweet lists allow you to see what is important. All too often we feel busy but have little to show for it. Our lists grow and little of real importance is crossed off. When you take the time to put down what must get done, as well as the things that routinely slip through the cracks, you start to watch your life move forward - calmly!
I've created 2 free printable PDF to-do lists that you can download here. Use these to start working off of a shorter to-do list today! Here's why:
1. Seeing your true priorities in one place is calming!
The sight of a list with dozens of items on it is crazy-making. The sight of a short, prioritized list is calming. It is possible for your to-do list to center you instead of frustrate you.
2. A shorter to-do list is much more inviting than a long, chaotic one.
A short list is a place where your eye and mind can land. It gives you a real sense of control because you'll start to feel accomplished as you actually get to "done" each day, no matter how much is on your plate.
3. A shorter to-do list trains you to see your real priorities, instead of feeling like everything is a hot task.
Very long, cluttered to-do lists hide what really matters. All too often we spend our time being busy, but not productive. Short lists train you to routinely reveal to yourself what will truly move your life forward and allow you to sleep better at night.
4. Working off of a short list builds the good habit of recreating it often as your priorities change.
When your to-do list is a mile long, cleaning it up and recreating it is a chore - so you don't do it. It continues to grow long and ragged. Most of us give up on good habits not because they stop working, but because we get bored. To-do lists should change-up often to stay fresh, and the shorter the easier it is to do this!
5. A short to-do list encourages you to get the important work done instead of spinning your wheels with the busy work.
When you work off of a short list, you start to get honest about how many hours are in a day. When this happens you are less likely to drop onto your list the little fires that need to be put out. You start completing the important. The urgent has a way of taking care of itself, but often at the expense of the important. Short lists keep the priorities from slipping through the cracks.
Again, click here to download your 2 free printable PDF to-do lists!
