How I stay on top of my To Do list and tasks

Unless my life is insane, I tend not to miss things on my To Do lists. I have created a sort of process that helps me stay on top of all the things, juggling multiple areas at once.

Don’t let it build up

This is the Golden Rule of course. Don’t go onto social media, get lost and procrastinate. The more you let it build up, the worse it becomes and the more pressure and stress it puts on you because.. YOU LET IT BUILD UP.

Group the tasks

I do this when I run errands as well – I figure out where I will be, and look through my list to see what I can knock out at the same time while being there.

What I do is pick a location I will be in on Monday let’s say, and see what else is in the area that I could also do (no more than 5 items, 3 is ideal).

Then the next day, I pick another area, and group together all my tasks for that spot….

There is no point in getting everything on your list done, if you are going to be zipping back and forth when you can just group them and then plan your week around the locations.

You can also group them in terms of what makes sense – everything CAR related, throw it under ‘CAR’ and see what you can schedule back to back to not have to deal with multiple appointments.

Or if you plan on working on the yard, group together all the YARD items and go through them. It is way more efficient.

Brain Dump To Do List of some sort

Paper, Electronic, and App.. whatever it is, write it down. If it isn’t noted somewhere, YOU WILL forget it.

I sometimes go through a brain fog of sorts and think – I KNOW .. I came into this room.. to do something. What was it?

Your To Do list will tell you. And you don’t mark it as complete in anticipation of completing it – do it.. WHEN IT IS DONE and dusted.

I use the Things 3 app, and electronically type every single thing that hits my brain into it at the moment, and sort it out later.

Schedule TIME IN to get quick wins in

Every morning before work (about half an hour before), I scroll through my To Do list and do all the minor things like setting up a return, or printing a paper I need.

I also sometimes do this in between those awkward meetings where it ends and you have 15 minutes to do… what exactly?

I can’t start on a project or a task that will absorb my time, so I try to get in a 15-minute task so I can cross it off my list.

Sweep your list once a week

Go through your To Do list, group things together, and build the plan for the next week or day. I personally like doing this the night before.

I will log in, check my meetings, and prep a To Do list and schedule for the next day so that it is ready to go and I don’t need to be frazzled trying to figure out what to do first.

Take the time to think about it the night before, and you will waste zero brainpower in the morning and can focus on the list.

Automate as much as possible

I snooze my emails, I set my bills on autopay, I don’t try to think about things that don’t need to be considered as a task if I can help it. Then once a week or once a month, I go through my purchases, budget and statements, and make sure it all looks all right.

Don’t add unnecessary tasks

We have a habit of trying to add things that don’t need to be done. Don’t do this. There are some things you DO NOT need to do, and you should leave them off your list. My problem area is trying not to help Little Bun manage his life, I need him to do his own tasks on a proper schedule and timeline so that he learns how to be organized on his own without my help.

Other unnecessary tasks are micromanaging your partner, and booking appointments for them.

They are full grown, are they not?

Treat them with the respect and understanding that they are, and let them make their own damn appointments.

Break tasks down

Whenever I have a massive task that will take days, I break it down into manageable parts, otherwise it won’t get done.

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Et voilà.

Want more? Here are all my Organizing Series posts.