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"To Do" Lists |
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Of the four types of
"to do" lists, you’re probably spending too much time on the wrong
three.
Have you ever stopped to consider that your
daily "to do" list might well determine your success in life? Ponder
that for a moment.
If you’re not yet using "to do" lists of
some sort, one has to ask, “How do you achieve what’s important to
you?” Without a plan—your goals broken down into manageable tasks—
it is far less likely that you will achieve your most important
aspirations in life.
"To Do" lists comprise the vast
majority of our daily prioritization, and thus, how we spend our
time. Oftentimes, many of those tasks, action items and "to do"
lists are given to us by other people based their priorities.
While such "to do" lists are important, it’s essential that you set
aside and focus a portion of your energy on your own "to do"
lists, tasks, and action items.
Your "to do" list
contains the little stepping stones to almost everything you will
accomplish and experience in life. Never thought of that, did you?
Well, it’s time to think about it now. It’s generally not the big,
sweeping decisions that drive our lives but rather the daily tasks
and time well-spent or squandered that determines where we are at
the end of each day. Add all those days together and you get years,
and eventually, a lifetime. Therefore, it becomes essential to
consciously create a "to do" list (or "to do" lists) that is based
on your priorities.
"To Do" lists generally fall into
four categories:
"To Do" Lists Type #1: Life’s
Maintenance Tasks
These tasks are an essential part of
life, and you already manage them day-in and day-out. They encompass
things like mowing the lawn, going out with friends, or paying the
bills. They’re planned, sometimes well in advance and sometimes on
short notice, but you decide when and how to get them done pretty
much on your own. They will never stop coming, so get good at them
and enjoy checking them off.
"To Do" Lists Type #2:
Delegated Tasks
You may receive a lot of these tasks from
your boss or spouse. It’s just a part of life for most of us, so
things like time management and organization skills become very
important, or you could easily spend all your time pursuing someone
else’s agenda and ignoring your own. Learn when to say, “No” and
avoid over-committing.
"To Do" Lists Type #3:
Unexpected Tasks
Tasks like filling up the gas tank,
picking up your sick child up from school, or stopping at the store
on the way home occur so frequently that it’s a wonder they’re still
“unexpected.” They are generally unpredictable and need immediate
attention or else something undesirable could happen. Therefore,
they tend to bump other tasks off the daily priority list.
With all those tasks listed above coming at you every
day, it’s little wonder you have no time or energy left for the most
important type of "to do" list…
"To Do" Lists Type
#4: Meaningful Tasks (Most important, but often
overlooked!)
Meaningful tasks are those that are part of
a bigger plan that you’ve designed. Your goals and plans are
comprised of meaningful tasks — the stepping stones to your goals
that make life fulfilling for you. If you haven’t been managing your
goals, then the meaningful tasks that would get you there are
missing for your daily routine. In order to accomplish your goals in
life, you have to have a plan and make time for the meaningful tasks
that are required to achieve your goals.
Tools for Managing Your Goals and "To Do"
ListsmyGoals.com (this Web site) was designed to help
you set, manage, and achieve the goals that are important to you.
myGoals.com's pre-made GoalPlans®, goal-setting wizard,
and email reminders are extremely effective in creating viable plans
and keeping you on track. GoalPlans are designed to enable you to
break your goals down into small, manageable tasks (i.e., "to do"
lists) that you perform based on a schedule that works for you. This
way your meaningful tasks become a part of your regular routine
rather than being pushed aside by everything else going on in your
life.
myGoals.com first helps you identify the goals that
are important to you, and them create a plan to achieve each goal.
Each GoalPlan encompassing the meaningful tasks—your daily or weekly
to do list—is e-mailed to you at the appropriate time to help keep
you on track. There is no easier, more effective way to manage "to
do" lists that are necessary to reach your short- and long-term
goals.
To learn more or sign up for a
free trial, visit our goal-setting homepage.
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