How To Create And Stick To Your To-Do List

A workday is never without distractions. Email notifications going off, colleagues passing by for a quick chat or even a bargain catching popping up whilst browsing the net. It's easy to lose track of the essential tasks and struggle to remove these distractions. 

I am a big believer in always having and living by a to-do list to help stay on top of tasks and eliminate distractions. Taking time to write a weekly to-do list has been essential in helping me stay organised as a virtual assistant. To me, it's a simple plan that keeps me focussed on what's important and what needs to be done.

There are several benefits to diligently writing down your plan for the week. Firstly, it removes the stress from your day. Having all the chaotic thoughts in your head written down on paper or a document on your screen gives you clarity and a sense of control. 

Secondly, it's a great reminder of what you need to do. I don't know about you, but there is always one little task that slips my mind each week, and I have to catch up on. Once it's written down, it's hard to miss.

Thirdly a to-do list helps you save time. You've already done the thinking and preparation required when you write your list, so this saves you doing it there and then at the spur of the moment. Disorganisation sets us back, so it's important to nip it in the bud with a solid plan. 

Lastly, it will help you become more reliable. Having a plan to follow diligently makes you stay on top of things. 

But how do you create the perfect to-do list? 

1. Determine your goals

Take time out to figure out what you are trying to achieve. Write down your goals and categorise them according to their priority. Your goals will determine your daily priorities. 

2. Keep the items to a minimum

Grab a notebook, use a word document or open a board in Trello. Have a maximum of 5 items on it at a time. Anything more will be stressful. 

3. Write your list the night before

Write it the night before if it's a daily to-do list or on the first day of the week if weekly. This sets your subconscious to work on how to accomplish the items on the list, giving you a mental head start. 

4. Keep it simple and be direct.

One sentence is enough to keep it to the bare minimum to make it manageable. Writing too much may cause you to have to multi-task, which may cause you to lose focus and make you less productive. Also, no one likes the feeling of defeat that comes from incomplete tasks at the end of the day. 

5. Add deadliness to your tasks.

Deadlines are a great way to keep working to accomplish your assignments on time. I am a firm believer that out of sight is out of mind so keeping those looming time limits in front of you will keep you focussed.

Now that you have the tools to help you stay focussed on the tasks, start writing your kick-ass to-do list today.