People of all walks of life frequently comment about how stressed they are. No matter their field, their family size, or their income, somebody somewhere is stressed out right now because of their "to-do" list and all the things they didn't get to do, or still have to get done. That includes me, of course! As I mentioned recently, one way I've tried to cut down on my stress levels is to eliminate those huge "to-do" lists that never seem to get done.
The system of carrying over unfinished items from one day's list to the next may work for some of you, but for me, it just adds to the stress level. Instead of feeling like I accomplished as much as I could, and can hold off on the rest till the next day, I feel like I didn't do my best and "didn't accomplish anything".
If you get that same sinking feeling I do when the day's list isn't covered with check marks or crossed-off items, try changing your method a bit.
First of all, consider limiting your "to-do" list to three or four of the most important, high priority items for the coming day. Leave off routine items such as loading the dishwasher or walking the dog if you know you'd remember to do them whether they were written down or not. After all, you can SEE dirty dishes in the sink, and the dog will howl to be taken out, so you have a reminder already. It's a lot less intimidating when the list is smaller, and you'll feel like you've accomplished a lot when it's easier to "do it all" each day.
Secondly, try listing what you DO get done in a day. Say you tackled one of the biggies that made it to the list, such as going to the dry cleaner for the week's work clothes. But on the way, maybe you dropped off mail at the post office, returned books to the library, and popped videos in the slot at Blockbuster. They may not have been on the list originally, but jotting these accomplished tasks on your list after the fact will serve as a visual reminder that you really did do plenty!
Lastly, become a clean desk and clean sink queen. One of the most effective ways to feel like you are starting with a clean slate each morning is to get your coffee in a kitchen with uncluttered countertops, and arrive at a desk that isn't mounded with incomplete projects. Now, I know some of you may be "pilers" like Al Gore, and that is okay as long as the piles have purposes. If a project is too big to be stowed away from one evening to the next, that's one thing. But having gobs of unfinished work staring at you day in and day out is only going to demoralize you and any staffers charged with helping you get things done! Try loading the dishwasher right after dinner and running it while you're in bed or starting it as you head to work. Either way you'll wake up to, or come home to, clean dishes, instead of a pile of crusty china awaiting your tired hands. Walking in to a desk that offers a wealth of space and supplies right at hand for the new day will be invigorating, rather than depressing.
If you've struggled with being overwhelmed by your "to-do" lists like I have, give these simple ideas a shot - let me know how they work for you!
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