Make your work day more efficient with a to-do list
May 14th, 2007
Wow, what a difference this makes. In the past couple weeks I’ve done a lot of revamping and ’streamlining’ to make my work day more efficient. One of the things I did was I spent a good chunk of time to sit down and write out a daily schedule for myself.
It took quite a bit of rearranging but eventually I figured out something that I think will work really well. I’ve done up a fancy little list for myself that I’ve printed out, and as I do each thing on my list, I check it off.
From Monday through to Friday, I’ve listed a reasonable amount of work for myself to do that will make sure all my websites stay current, and marketing, testing and tracking will be done every week. I’ve also included lists for my regular newsletters as well. It’s all there in one neat little page.
Before I committed to this list, I made myself swear that I would focus on the tasks for each day of the week before I did anything else during the day (including visiting my favorite blogs). If something comes up (like an appointment at the doctor, or unexpected company) I realize that things might not get done on time. However, I’ve also promised myself that if I absolutely can’t finish what’s on Monday’s list, it will be finished by Tuesday night after I finish Tuesday’s tasks and so on.
So far, it’s working great. With my list in front of me at my desk at all times, it’s easy to stay focused. Distractions like email, instant messenger, and funny blogs aren’t as tempting. Every time I finish my daily tasks on time it gives me an awesome feeling.
Working at home can be daunting, especially for moms. With all the responsibilities that come along with being a work at home mom, it’s really nice to take a break and just relax. However, when you’re laying on the couch with a good book and you can see the computer out of the corner of your eye, it’s easy to feel guilty and think that you should be working.
I felt that way all the time, even if I was cleaning the house. Now with my list, I don’t feel guilty for doing other activities as long as everything is checked off for the day. In fact, I think I have even more free time now because I don’t spend half of every morning trying to figure out what I should be doing.
It’s really made a difference for me, you should try it!
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Entry Filed under: working efficiently
2 Comments Add your own
1. Megan | February 20th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Thanks for the tip… I work in an office, but I run my own office, so I sort of have the freedom to be very distracted. Any change I could see a sample of your list. I find that I tend to bulk things into one task, when it’s probably quite a few within the one. It would really be a big help. Thanks!
2. Cassie | February 21st, 2008 at 12:31 am
Hi Megan,
Actually my list has changed drastically since I wrote this post. As my life changes, so do my priorities and daily tasks that need to be done.
I really need to make a new list for myself, and although I don’t have a finished version of it yet, some of the things that will be on it include:
*Checking emails (I’ll try to limit this to only once in the morning and once each night)
*Checking my website statistics (affiliate sales/adsense/traffic/my own sales, etc.)
*maintaining sites (updating, publishing and writing new content, etc.)
*reading - I have loads of IM stuff that need to be read
*acting on the information I’ve learned - coming up with new ideas, strategies, improving on things I’ve already done, etc.
Some of these items will be broken down further to become more specific. Ideally I’d like to be able to attribute a time to each task and set limits for myself.
I also have a separate list for household chores. I don’t really need one but I just like the satisfaction of crossing things off lists. I’m weird that way. I love checklists…what can I say?
Obviously, unless you do all the same things I do everyday, your list will be different, but the idea is the same. Planning out your day using lists is an extremely efficient way for busy (and easily frazzled) people to complete important tasks.
Wow, this is a really long blog comment…
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