Ponder: to consider something deeply and thoroughly; meditate
Пятница (PYAHT-nee-tsuh): Friday in Russian
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Do you sometimes get overwhelmed by your To-Do list? I do.
Back in my working outside the home days, I would get so frustrated when all the tasks on my To-Do list never got accomplished. Really? How hard is it to complete a list of tasks?
Nearly impossible some days. A workday is filled with phone calls and decisions, interruptions, meetings, people in need of help and assistance, broken equipment, and it goes on.
That workday is the same, whether you're outside your home or inside it. Whatever your "job", be it an executive secretary, a teacher or a stay at home mom, your task list is never ending and interruptions and emergencies abound.
Because I wanted to see what I was getting done, rather than what I wasn't, I started writing down my tasks completed. If one of my summer students came into my office with a need or question, I wrote that fact on my To-Do list and then I crossed it off. When one of the people I supported as an executive secretary needed something, I wrote it on my To-Do list and I crossed it off.
It was amazing at how much more productive I felt when I could see all of those tasks crossed off. It didn't matter when those items were added to my list. What mattered, was that they were crossed off and I could see that I had, in fact, accomplished a great deal during my work day.
That same idea translated very well when I transitioned into my new role as stay at home mom after having been in the professional work force for over 15 years.
I still had a To-Do list. Of course, it had different things on it. I wasn't scheduling and attending meetings, writing reports and preparing presentations. I was running errands, wiping noses, reading stories, preparing meals and doing laundry. I still started the day with a list of tasks I wanted to accomplish and I found all sorts of interruptions and emergencies at home, just like I did at work.
So, I started doing the same thing. Writing down all the things I was doing and crossing them off. Again, it was amazing to see that validation of my busy day. I was productive because I was accomplishing a great deal.
My To-Do lists are different these days and more often than not they're on my tablet, not a piece of paper. But, I still write down all that I've accomplished and I cross it off. It's still nice to see the tangible proof of my days and the feeling of satisfaction is important to me.
What about you? Do you have a To-Do list? Is it important that you complete it?
Пятница (PYAHT-nee-tsuh): Friday in Russian
-------------------
Do you sometimes get overwhelmed by your To-Do list? I do.Back in my working outside the home days, I would get so frustrated when all the tasks on my To-Do list never got accomplished. Really? How hard is it to complete a list of tasks?
Nearly impossible some days. A workday is filled with phone calls and decisions, interruptions, meetings, people in need of help and assistance, broken equipment, and it goes on.
That workday is the same, whether you're outside your home or inside it. Whatever your "job", be it an executive secretary, a teacher or a stay at home mom, your task list is never ending and interruptions and emergencies abound.Because I wanted to see what I was getting done, rather than what I wasn't, I started writing down my tasks completed. If one of my summer students came into my office with a need or question, I wrote that fact on my To-Do list and then I crossed it off. When one of the people I supported as an executive secretary needed something, I wrote it on my To-Do list and I crossed it off.
It was amazing at how much more productive I felt when I could see all of those tasks crossed off. It didn't matter when those items were added to my list. What mattered, was that they were crossed off and I could see that I had, in fact, accomplished a great deal during my work day.
That same idea translated very well when I transitioned into my new role as stay at home mom after having been in the professional work force for over 15 years.I still had a To-Do list. Of course, it had different things on it. I wasn't scheduling and attending meetings, writing reports and preparing presentations. I was running errands, wiping noses, reading stories, preparing meals and doing laundry. I still started the day with a list of tasks I wanted to accomplish and I found all sorts of interruptions and emergencies at home, just like I did at work.
So, I started doing the same thing. Writing down all the things I was doing and crossing them off. Again, it was amazing to see that validation of my busy day. I was productive because I was accomplishing a great deal.
My To-Do lists are different these days and more often than not they're on my tablet, not a piece of paper. But, I still write down all that I've accomplished and I cross it off. It's still nice to see the tangible proof of my days and the feeling of satisfaction is important to me.
What about you? Do you have a To-Do list? Is it important that you complete it?
Great idea... I have used lists for years... and would add something and cross it off to keep track of it... but I hadn't thought of having a list of accomplished tasks as a record rather than "to do". I like the idea of the "What I Did List" :) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI have to do lists and without them I just plain forget some of the things I need to achieve. Thanks for this post and maybe you would like to share it at Good Morning Mondays at Darling Downs Diaries. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great post! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the Link Up this week!
Great idea especially because I LOVE crossing off things that I do each day!!
ReplyDeleteI am really bad about making lists, or I would forget everything. I have both a long-term and today to-do list. Your right that it feels so validating to check things off your list! Thanks for joining us at Merry Monday.
ReplyDeleteI am a list maker, but I've never added the "interruptions" to the list and then crossed them off. What a great idea and encouragement!!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy making lists… and so much more having crosses on them! Might have to use your idea as lately the crosses have been loosing out!
ReplyDeleteI'm obsesed with lists too, they are everywhere here! Thanks for linking up to #brilliantblogposts x
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting on Motivation Monday!
ReplyDeleteI love preparing lists and striking items off it but it's only after reading this article that I realized it more because of the sense of accomplishment than the please of being organized.
ReplyDeleteGreat to have you partying with us at Wake Up Wednesdays.
Co-host,
Tanya
http://tanyaanurag.blogspot.com/
Thank you for joining us this last weekend on #PureBlogLove recipe and DIY craft Link Party! I hope to see you this Thursday night again, the party starts at 8 pm EST and runs all weekend! I can't wait to see what you're cooking up next!
ReplyDeleteXoXo
Heidy L. McCallum
It helps me get more done and not stress about everything I need to do when I keep a to do list. Thanks for sharing with Hump Day Happenings.
ReplyDeleteI am a mental to do list. Each morning I rise with my list in my mind. No worries if someone calls and wants to go galavanting. That to do list will wait. lol! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann