Here’s how not to prepare a work list
The following
mistakes should be avoided while making an important to-do list
You may have read countless blog posts, magazine
articles, and books about to-do lists. They certainly exist, but many of the
articles you read often present them as the magic tools necessary for enjoying
consistent productivity. They could be that magic tool but, the thing is,
merely making a to-do list is not enough.
Many people unknowingly make mistakes that limit the
overall effectiveness of their to-do lists. The blunders may even hinder their
potential.
Below, we’ll look at some of the most common mistakes
associated with to-do lists. You’ll also get solutions to these mistakes, so
you can remedy your ways if some of these errors sound familiar.
1 Listing tasks without estimated time
Many of the to-do lists you’ve likely made only
included things to do without timeframes. Writing down tasks alone may seem
like the fastest approach. However, you also need to estimate the probable time
for completion. If you don’t, the task list could seem overwhelming. It might
genuinely include more than you can tackle, too. Also, time estimates hold you
accountable and help you pinpoint responsibilities that take much longer than
they should.
2 Organising tasks starting with the quickest
Like many people, you may be an achievement-oriented
individual. The more you complete tasks, the more you feel motivated to
continue working hard. Maybe that’s why you began using to-do lists. In that
case, it seems smart to arrange the entries on your to-do list by the shortest
to longest estimated times.
By using that technique, you can get your confidence
up by working on less time-intensive stuff first, then gradually transition
into things that take more of your time. However, this practice is another one
to avoid. It could cause you to prioritise duties that don’t significantly
impact what you aim to achieve.
Instead, figure out which tasks are the most
beneficial to yourself, your company, your job, and so on. Then, group those
things on your to-do list. By taking that approach, you’re likely using your
time wisely. At the day’s end, you can look back on accomplishments and feel
you spent your hours well.
3 Making your list the day you need it
Maybe you’re in the habit of writing your to-do list
at the start of a day. However, by doing that, you waste time you could devote
to other tasks.
Collective evidence highlights the merits of writing
a to-do list the night before.
Some experts suggest thinking of the three most
important to-do list items. It’ll help you set expectations for the day ahead,
and you can get straight to work instead of making a to-do list when you wake
up.
4 Avoiding making changes
Life includes many unexpected elements, and some of them
may temporarily impact your productivity. Did you wake up with a migraine
headache this morning? Is your infant fussing while you work from home because
her usual caregiver is out of town? Perhaps you recently started working for a
new company or accepted a new role. All of these things could break your
stride, so they require a flexible mindset.
If you didn’t incorporate flexibility into your to-do
list, too, that’s a problem that leads to frustration. Rather than creating a
rigid set of responsibilities, build a rolling task list.
It allows for re-prioritizing things as your day
fluctuates. Plus, as the name suggests, incomplete items roll over to the next
day.
5 Treating tasks and projects the same way
While crafting their to-do lists, people often forget
that tasks and projects are very different. You can include both, but you must
realise that projects take up more time than tasks. You can finish a task in a
single session. Projects, on the other hand, include multiple tasks. They need
special consideration as you plan the time and effort necessary for them.
If you view tasks and projects identically, it’ll
seem like you continuously miss the mark. Consider using colors or text-based
identifiers to make tasks and projects more distinctive. And, don’t assume
you’ll get an entire project completed in a day. It’s better to recognize the
progressive nature of projects. Assign yourself tasks that move them closer to
completion day by day instead.
6 Lacking specificity in to-do items
A poorly-written to-do list may hurt your
productivity more than not having one at all. If your list items are too vague,
you won’t make the best use of available time. Maybe you’re a professional or
amateur blogger ready to expand your reach. Initially, you might want to write an
entry that says, “Publish new posts.” But that’s not specific enough. A task
reading “Publish at least five posts” maintains focus.
| Kayla Matthews
This article first appeared on www.makeuseof.com
This article first appeared on www.makeuseof.com
MM 13JAN18
1 comment:
very useful post.thank you for sharing it Sir !
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