| Some productivity blogs are all about creating a “to-do” list.
Of course… you need one to stay organized and accomplish your tasks.
But here’s the problem with just having one list.
When you’re listing down your to-dos—there’s no hierarchy or prioritization. Everything is just on the same list.
The problem with your basic to-do list:
Not all the items on your to-do list are created equal.
For example, maybe you have the following items on your list today:
● Buy coffee creamer and K-cups at Target
● Email client with a design proposal
If you’re just working down the list, you might start with a trip to Target. When in fact, the priority should be to email the design proposal.
So you take a step back and organize your to-dos into two lists.
● Every day (aka Busy Work) List
● Challenging but “Game-Changing” Tasks
It’s a bit better. However, the natural inclination is to always work through the everyday list and procrastinate on the more difficult (but important) ones. Dopamine is released every time you complete something, big or small. So you feel good even if you’re just checking off the easy everyday stuff.
Here’s the thing, though. The items on the “game-changing” lists are there because they are essential.
If you don’t get to “send that design proposal to a client”, what happens?
Or what happens if you put off writing the marketing email campaign that launches tomorrow and instead just run some random errands that can wait until later?
I guess it’s an all-nighter for you!
That’s why you’ve got to reimagine the to-do list into something that will not only help you get things done but prioritize what’s important.
Create a “Must Do” List.
So, how do you free yourself from the trap of a one-size-fits-all to-do list?
Scrap it and create a “Must Do” list instead.
Here are a few guidelines to ensure this list doesn’t become another pile of tasks (just a shorter one):
1. Your Must-do list should only have a maximum of three high-impact tasks. I recommend sticking to this limit since these require more time and energy to complete.
2. Only when you complete these essential tasks, can you then move to the low-impact stuff on your list. These are usually not time-sensitive and aren’t going anywhere anyway.
Give that a try and see how many items you can cross off your “Must Do” list this week.
To Your Success, Paul Hanson
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