It is funny: every time I check my great to-do list (I am a stationary geek and have a to do-list pad like this one) there are a few things that have been on there for MONTHS. I’m not saying days, or even the odd couple of weeks, but months! Shocking, really. What’s on yours that just always gets pushed back? It made me think though: what is it with those niggly little to-do list items that  just never make it to the finish line?

I am not normally a procrastinator so I asked myself this morning: What is it that puts me off doing these things? See, they are not major tasks, just simple things like updating all the tags and categories of my 50 odd blog posts or finding speaking gig opportunities or doing my accounts. It’s not even that I don’t like to do them!

I suppose, just like you, I am sometimes fire-fighting (doing what’s urgent but not necessarily important) but also it must have to do with setting priorities. Sometimes, attacking a major to-do list item like ‘researching speaking gig opportunities’ or ‘find a new job’ can be off-putting because they’re a bit too big and you don’t know where to start.

So here is what I have done: 

1) Planned to just attack the quick wins this morning (i.e. get that Twitter campaign up and running, reply to specific emails, doing paperwork)

2) Think about the 3 MIT’s: the Most Important Tasks for the day. In my case: writing stuff, an email marketing campaign and tagging my posts (so you can find them easier)

- >> This cool pad from Get Buttoned Up would help you focus on that for different areas such as calls, emails, work and home – cooool!

 

3) Break it down, break it down, break it down. If some to-do list item is too big e.g. write a book, then break it down into much, much smaller, manageable tasks in order to stay motivated and have a sense of achievement!

 

4) And lastly, I had to create some time for doing the stuff that I finally wanted to get done and thus the last magic word is: delegate. Get Buttoned Up also sell a (Not) To Do pad which lists all items and lets you choose: To Do, To Delegate, Not To Do. Love it! So one of the things I am thinking about delegating today to make some space for writing are my video interview edits.

[I have recorded some really cool video interviews (4 so far) with some amazing people. I am so excited to share them with you  --- watch this space!]  –>> Eeek :-)

 

Whilst you’re planning your week ahead, why don’t you check these pads out at Get Buttoned Up, they’re like geek and stationary lover HEAVEN! <3  …. I am not on commission guys, I just love their stuff!

 

Have an awesome day and happy planning! (And doing of course.)

 

Love,

Jana xx