We’ve all been there….
- Do I really have to do that?
- Couldn’t I just skip out on this today?
- Is the sky actually going to fall just because I didn’t ____ (dust the fan, organize the hall closet, or whatever task is on your “should” list today)?
Well, it’s time to clear your to-do lists once and for all, ladies.
No more mile-long running reminders for you!
You deserve a pared-down list of priorities that can actually get done in the time allotted.
Time to jump in.
Timer alert
First up, we’re pruning today’s chores. Should you keep this task on your to-do list?
Answer these questions:
- Is it quick? (Like 1-5 minutes?) Go do it.
- Does it require a bunch of pre-research, files gathered, or brainstorming to be completed? Do those things first. Snooze the actual task to another day.
- Do you have a bunch of other things going on today? Scoot this one off to a relatively unfilled day. It’ll be much easier to tackle.
How’s that task list looking now? A good bit lighter, right?
Now let’s move on to the rest of your self-reminders. Big projects are still important – so we want to get them done.
But only the essential ones, right? Here’s how you pull that off….
Task avoidance
Next up, take a look-see at the rest of your week.
Interrogate your reminders like this:
- Is this weighing on me?
- Am I having trouble getting anything else done, even while procrastinating?
- Would it make my day to have this out of the way?
In other words, is it stressing you out to have it hanging over your head?
Then go do it.
Is it stressing you out to have it hanging over your head?
Your mental health will get a huge boost just by knocking out this nasty task.
I know. It’s not fun. You’ve been doing an excellent job avoiding it. But think of the relief that’s going to wash over you the moment you’re done.
Anxiety inducing
Finally, take a look at anything else on your “should” list and ask it these questions:
- Are you stressing me out?
- Does the thought of crossing you off thrill me to my toes?
- Would it make my day to delete you forever?
What you’re really trying to learn here is this: Are you stressed at the thought of doing it today?
Push it off your list.
That’s right. Your mental health is more important than hitting an arbitrary number of to-do’s.
You need to look after yourself – likely no one else is doing that for you – and with this territory comes the awesome power of deciding what to forever delete from your to-do list.
(Okay, I kid – but it really is a useful ability!)
You’re not responsible for getting everything in the world done.
Let me say that again. You are not responsible to do every single thing that every single podcast you ever listened to tells you to do.
Deep breath, now.
This is your life. Your choosing. And yes, your task list.
So should you snooze that task to make it easier, or just do it and get it done?
- Is it a quickie? Get it over with.
- Would you feel so much better if it were over? Again, go do it.
- Are you ecstatic at the thought of never doing it again? Permanently delete that baby – no snoozing allowed!
That’s how to cut your running list of reminders down to a manageable size.
Your life, sanity, and pursuit of happiness depends on it.
So tell me, what are you deleting today?
