The Secret to Getting the To Do List DONE {+ My Weekly Plan}

So you want to have more organized days and you’ve created the habit of making a daily to do list, but you’re frustrated because most of the list goes undone. I feel your pain and I have discovered a solution.

Make a more realistic list.

The problem is not our inability to accomplish the tasks on our list, but the fact that our lists are too long and based in the fantasy world where everything goes as planned, nothing unexpected ever comes up and we can survive on three hours of sleep.

Have you honestly ever had a day like that?

If you have children, I KNOW you haven’t. 🙂

To combat this problem I have discovered 4 Tips to make a To Do List that you can actually accomplish.

Create a Master Work List

The first step is to write down every single thing that you can think of that needs to be done. Getting those items out of your head and onto paper, in a computer document or into a smart phone app frees your brain for other tasks.

I created a Master Work List in Evernote. (See How to Sign Up for Evernote HERE –The Basic Plan is free!). My list is divided into categories like Household Chores, Errands, Family Needs and Blog Tasks. The minute I think of a new task I add it to the list.

Prioritize Your List

Once you have a master list, it’s time to decide what’s most important. One reason that I like using Evernote is that I can easily cut and paste to move items around. My notes are also accessible from my desktop, laptop, tablet or phone so no matter where I am, I can check the list or add to it. (Note: Just make sure you close the note on whatever device you are on before you open it in another so you don’t lose any changes. Ask me how I know. 🙂 )

When I sit down on Saturday mornings or Sunday evenings for my weekly planning session I look at the master list, determine what items are most critical to accomplish and move them to the THIS WEEK section at the top of the note and then to my Joyful Life Planner Weekly Plan.

The other items wait on the master list until I have time to fit them in.

Create a Detailed Daily List

From this weekly list of priorities you want to create a plan for your day. If you’re like me and have morning, afternoon and evening routines you follow, there’s no need to write down all the details like showering and cooking breakfast.

If you tend to forget, make a detailed list of everything that needs to be accomplished for the day from getting dressed to cooking dinner and putting the baby down for a nap. By including everything you will see those everyday items that take time but which you normally forget about and thereby over-load your day.

Other tips:

• Include breaks and fun like “play Legos with the kids”; “read 1 chapter of my book”, “check Instagram for 15 minutes” or “drink a cup of hot tea”.

• Star your top 3 items that must be done today.

• Write your most difficult task for the day at the top of your list and tackle it first.

I use my Joyful Life Planner to keep track of my daily to-do’s, but if you choose to use Evernote you can make a list like the one pictured above and check off or delete the items as you accomplish them. As a list lover, this makes me so happy!

Evernote makes staying organized so simple because I can easily copy my unaccomplished items into the list without having to re-write the entire list. I also have access to my list on all my devices.

Keep Your List in View

It’s easy to become distracted by urgent items and social media. By keeping your list in a highly visible place you can be reminded to check it and once the unplanned disruption has passed you can go back to the next item on the list. I keep my Evernote app open on my phone so I can refer to it throughout the day, but you can also post your paper to do list on your fridge or keep your planner open on your desk.

My plan for this week:

PERSONAL – walk 30 min. 5 days; bed by 10 p.m.; drink 6-8 glasses of water daily; daily “Brain Dump” (read more here); take supplements daily

PEOPLE –  date with hubby (going out for ice cream); driving lessons with daughter #2; meet friend visiting from out of town

PASSION –  art journal time; visit botanical garden; continue work on 2nd blog (It’s coming soon – I promise!)

PURPOSE –   (wife) cook a special dinner for my husband; (mom) pray for my kids; (encourager) write a note to a friend

PROJECTS  – organize the cabinet under the master bathroom sink; work on e-book; science projects

What do you have planned this week? Leave a comment. 🙂

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