Productivity Challenge - Topic 2
Rethinking Your To-Do’s
Are your to-do’s actually repeatable tasks? Let’s find out!
What’s on your action list after today’s video?
Rethinking Your To-Do List: A Practical Approach to Tackling Overwhelm
For many women in business, the to-do list can be a source of overwhelming stress, especially when it encompasses both work and home management tasks. But here's a secret that will blow your mind: the majority of your to-dos are actually repeatable tasks that can be planned for.
So why do they constantly catch you off guard? It's time to rethink your approach and regain control of your to-do list. Today, we'll explore practical strategies to help you prioritize, schedule, and tackle your tasks with ease.
Step One: Understanding the Frequency of Tasks
Take a moment to grab a piece of paper and brain-dump all the tasks that regularly pop up for you. Let's break them down into different categories based on their frequency: daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually. This exercise will give you clarity and help you identify the tasks that require consistent attention.
For example, here are a few of my recurring tasks (one includes some of my home management tasks for those who really want to brain dump ALL the things), and the second is a mind map I created for visual clarity). What can you add to your list?
Step two: Scheduling and Planning
Now that you have a clear picture of your recurring tasks, it's time to schedule them into your calendar accordingly. By understanding your commitments and their frequency, you can allocate dedicated time for each task, making it easier to stay on top of your to-do list.
And just a note here - I can’t stress enough how important an electronic calendar is for this process! I love Google Calendar and even though I can’t see why you wouldn’t as well, there are alternatives to consider. Just make sure you get this part of the process online ASAP!
** EXTRA RESOURCE - I'm including a copy of my DWM Workflow Trello board (with a video tutorial on how to use it). It’s in Meredith speak, but I think I made sense!
ACTION: Consider scheduling time for rapid-fire tasks (those which typically take less than 10 minutes to complete). Dedicate 20-60 minutes, 3-5 times per week, to address these quick tasks. If a rapid-fire task repeats, schedule it around similar tasks to streamline your workflow and maximize efficiency.
Stay flexible with a regular review
To stay organized and adaptable, make it a habit to brain-dump your to-do list on a weekly basis. This can be done in real-time as tasks come up or on a project-by-project basis. By regularly reviewing and updating your to-do list, you can identify any newly recurring tasks that need to be scheduled, make necessary adjustments to your workflow, and plan for future commitments.
Find a Fun and Practical Approach
Managing your to-do list doesn't have to be a daunting and serious task. Embrace a fun and practical approach that aligns with your brand voice and values (and of course, your home and your family). Find joy in the process of organizing and scheduling your tasks, and don't hesitate to make adjustments along the way.
Be kind to Yourself
As you navigate your to-do list, remember to be nice! To yourself and those around you as they adjust to your new practice. Prioritize self-care and allow for flexibility in your schedule. If unexpected tasks or challenges arise, give yourself the OK to reschedule and readjust your priorities.
By rethinking your to-do list and implementing practical strategies, you can regain control, reduce overwhelm, and increase productivity. Embrace the power of scheduling and planning, and find fun in the process. With a fun and compassionate approach, you'll discover a renewed sense of balance and fulfillment as you tackle your tasks with ease. Remember, you've got this!
Your homework for Day 2
What is the one thing you can implement today? Connecting an online calendar? Braindumping your weekly to-do’s? Get it done and take a photo - you can either post it to your stories, tagging @theregionalobm on your socials OR send me a DM!