SolveYourProblem Article Series: Time Management
How Can I Manage My Time Better?

How Do I Create a To-Do List?
   

The most difficult thing about creating your To-Do list is simply remembering to make time to do it. In a world where everything is moving so quickly that we don’t have time to breathe, it is unlikely that everyone has time to make their To-Do list every day. To-Do lists however can be extremely productive and can help you stay organized and on track. Therefore, you should in fact use them daily. If you know you need a To-Do list, but have problems making or sticking to it, then use these tips to help you along the way.

Making Time

If you are a person who needs a To-Do list, but rarely has time to create one, here is a tip for you. Try making a weekly To-Do list. Every Sunday, sit down, using your calendars and planners and create a To-Do list for each day of the upcoming week. This will only take a few minutes of your time, and you won’t have to worry with making a list each day. You can add to the weekly lists throughout the week as needed, but you can use the originals as guidelines for your scheduled events. If you can take out time once a week to create your lists, then you will find yourself much less stressed about it all. In general, after it is done, your week won’t look as chaotic on paper as you thought it would be. Starting the week off feeling less overwhelmed is a great feeling!

Where to Keep It

Keeping your lists organized is a matter of personal preference. If you are a person who primarily works from home, or if you are a homemaker, then you should keep your To-Do list posted in a place where you will see it right away each day. You might want to post it by your computer or keep in on the kitchen wall. Choose a place where you will likely walk by it at least ten times a day. If you work outside of the home, then you will want to invest in a planner. This will allow you to keep your lists as well as contact information for clients and a calendar all at your fingertips. Being organized is a helpful way to utilize a To-Do list, so keep everything neat.

What to Include

When making your weekly To-Do lists, you may find yourself contemplating what to include. Although the lists are great for your daily schedule, it is not necessary to include every single activity you need to accomplish. For example, you do not need to include the task of showering, unless it is the most important thing you have to do and you are likely to forget to do it. Include the most important tasks of the day, or tasks that you are afraid you might forget. For example, a meeting with a client or a doctor’s appointment may not seem like the most important tasks, however they are time sensitive and should be remembered.

You can also include tasks that other members of your staff or of your family need to accomplish for the day. For instance, if your son has a science project to work on, you may want to include it on your list so you can help him remember to work on it. This is particularly great for parents and allows them to keep everything in one place. Coordinating activities on your To-Do list will make life seem less hectic in general.

Making a To-Do list can really save you headaches throughout the week. Be sure to have your calendar when making your lists so you can transfer important information back and forth between the two. Keep the list in a place where you will be reminded to use it, or organized in a daily planner. Glance at it several times a day and mark off tasks as you complete them. This will give you a sense of satisfaction while reminding you of the next task. If you have never used a To-Do list, then try these tips for at least two weeks. You will be shocked at how easy it is to use time management skills when you are using a To-Do list.

Click here for 501 tips and ideas for finding MORE TIME to do the things you love. It's a handy little time management guide and my SolveYourProblem recommendation.

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by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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