Throw Away Your “To Do” List

I have to admit that I thought this was a crazy idea the first time I heard it.  However, now that I have put it into practice I know that it works!

A “To do” list is like a nagging wish list.   You have a list of things you want to accomplish, but no plan for getting them done.

If you are like me, you have probably had tasks on a “To Do” list for days, months, or even years.

“To do” lists have several problems:

1. They don’t distinguish between tasks that will take only a few minutes and those that will take much longer.  When you look at your list, you are most likely to choose the easy items.
2. It seems logical to choose the “urgent” tasks, over the “important” ones.  Important tasks are then put off indefinitely.
3. They cause unnecessary stress.  “To Do” lists are a constant reminder that many tasks are still undone.  They make us feel overwhelmed.

What to do instead: Live life from your calendar.

If you really want to get a task done, schedule time for it on your calendar.  If you don’t want to put it on your calendar, it is probably not as important as you thought it was.

How well is your “To Do” list working for you?

Reference:  Your To-Do List: Where Important Things Go To Die, by Kevin Kruse, Forbes Magazine, February 17, 2016.