Organizing Your “To Do” List

Do you have a list of things you need to do, but have been putting off? Have trouble getting organized? Here’s a little tip that may be helpful. It has worked wonders for me. Every morning, upon my arrival to my office (or sometimes the night before if my mind is racing and I need to clear it), I write a list on a sticky note of things that I need to do that day. Then, I put an asterisk next to the really important things.

Then, I dive into it and start with the really important things first. And I make myself do it, crossing off one item at a time as I complete it. Often, those things that I’ve been putting off take very little time to actually do. Making that call I dread isn’t so bad after all. My goal is to get everything on the list crossed off by the end of the day.

Steven Covey says you should do the things that are important and urgent first, then urgent and not important. You must also do those things that are important and not urgent, and you can push off what is not urgent and also not important for a day when you have nothing much to do (haven’t had one of those days in a while).

When I have one or two items left, it kills me to look at that sticky note and I feel that I must get it done! You’ll soon find that you get great satisfaction as you check off each item, especially when you complete your last one and can grab that sticky note and crumple it up, throwing it into the waste basket as you raise your arms and let out a loud roar in triumph.

Try it out – it may work for you too!