ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS – PERSONAL SUCCESS TRAINING PROGRAM – DAY FOUR

UNIT FOUR – TO DO LISTS

Since we often feel overwhelmed by the amount of work we need to do, one of the easier things we can do is create ‘to do lists’.

Creating a list ensures that tasks are written down in one place and is easily referenced later.

USE A DAY PLANNER

A day planner is a great tool to help you manage your time and stay on top of projects and job lists. It’s handy to carry with you and keep within arm’s reach.

When making your central ‘to do list’, your day planner can be used for keeping all of your reminders and notes in one place, which can make it your central source for your information. The key is to update it regularly and to use it every day.

TIPS FOR HAVING A DAY PLANNER

• Put contact information in front of it.

• Update it regularly and reference it every day.

• Utilize the ‘notes’ section.

FINISH WHAT YOUR START

When we complete a task or project, we get a sense of completion and accomplishment, which can make us feel great about ourselves.

When we drop a project or fail to complete it, it can make us feel depressed and bleak.

Completing something that you have taken effort to start also helps you to become more productive and ensures things are done on time (whether it is your deadline or someone else’s.)

Also, when you complete something all the way through the first time, it saves you from having to come back later and try to finish then!

FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT

By now you are keeping several ‘to do lists’ and endless tallies in your head, or even writing some down.

Even though you have established your projects priority, sometimes we can lose sight of the big picture, and will stray from the main path.

It is essential to keep focus on the important aspects of your to do list, whether it is finishing something on time, or making sure you get the right data for the report.

If you come across a task that does not co-ordinate with your larger goals, put it aside for now and keep focus on what you need to do to get your things done.

If you have to, limit yourself to a few important tasks to focus first before moving on to the rest. Recognise what tasks are important enough to focus on now, and which ones can wait until a later time.

DO QUICK TASKS IMMEDIATELY

When we make our to-do-list, there is normally a variety of chores and tasks to complete. Some are more important than others, and some will take more time than others.

Do these tasks right away so that you can cross them off your list and give yourself a part on the back.

When you finish these tasks quickly and do them right away, it leaves more room for you to focus no more complicated and lengthy tasks and projects.

SOME QUICK TASKS

• Filing paperwork.

• Posting reminders and notices.

• Sending follow up emails

REMEMBER, ANY CAN MAKE A TO-DO-LIST WITH LOTS OF CHECK MARKS AND BULLET, BUT GETTING THINGS DONE WILL SEEN ENDLESS IF YOU LACK FOCUS AND DETERMINATION!