We live in a busy world, full of lots of commitments and a To-Do list that seems to be never-ending. We say yes to everything, and then have to figure out how to get everything done. Owning a small business doesn’t make it easier. So how can we decrease our stress? Although binge watching your favorite Netflix show seems like a good idea, what you need to do is prioritize.
This may just seem like another bullet point on your To-Do list, but let me tell you, it works!
Think about a time when you had task after task piling up all day. How did you deal with it? Did you get overwhelmed? Did you try to do all the things? If that is the case, I’m going to bet you did not get everything done. Don’t worry, with these few steps we can make the most out of your workday, AND relieve stress simultaneously.
John Maeda said it best: “People who can focus, get things done. People who can prioritize, get the right things done.”
First, you need to make a To-Do list, and actually write it down in a place you can see it. A mental to do list can work, but actually seeing your to-do list may make you more productive. This will help clear your mind and take away the stress. Writing one daily will give you a visual of what you need to get done every day.
Second, look at the big picture. Taking a step back and seeing all you have to do makes things more manageable. You may see that you really only need to be working on a couple things today, and are able to schedule other items for a later date.
Third, see what is urgent. Do you have a deadline? See what needs to be done first. Maybe you have emails to send out to customers to help engage them better. Or maybe you have a meeting with a big client. That seems a bit more important than, say, watching “Making A Murderer” for 3 hours tonight. See what I mean? Things do have priority, and by using this system, you will improve your daily life for the better.
Fourth, re-organize your list showing what needs to be done first. As you go through the list, cross off each item, and know that you are on your way to a more efficient day! As you start, or end your day with a To-Do list, you will see your productivity go up. By seeing what you have at hand, you are able to know what is coming up next after each task, and you get to be stress free too!
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