Sometimes I actually write my list before bed when I am very awake or I have a lot on my mind, and I wake up knowing that my list is complete. It feels great in the morning and allows me to start very productively.
Either way, I never started out motivated to write my todo list early in the morning, but I forced myself to do it like I used to force myself to eat new foods I didn’t like. I knew eventually, my tastebud would adapt to the flavors and I would learn to enjoy the good I was eating. Now I enjoy all foods and try everything, chef’s choice. Same with the todo list, it’s now become a habit.
– I can cut down the noise and focus on what’s really important. For me, I get easily distracted by thinking about ALL the things I have to do.
– Writing a well considered list for the day really helps calm me and keep me focused on MY priorities, so I get more done!
– Days when I don’t write a list feel scattered and chaotic, and I can rarely say what I achieved that day
Also, motivation is fleeting, I personally can’t really rely on it. Having clear reasons (as above) to do things, along with a solid routine to make it automatic is a lot more effective for me than having to constantly try and motivate myself.
And finally, I only write lists at work. When I’m at home, unless I’m on an important deadline, I take the pressure off and let myself flow…. it’s so much nicer 🙂
Related Questions
- How could I effectively use my time without laziness
- I need this to be so simple. And struggle to now what to include and what to leave out. Too basic and they seem pointless. Too detailed and they seem to take up too much time I could be focusing on other things… any suggestions on how to prioritise and discriminate between tasks to include and task to accept as given.
- Do you write the small and mundane tasks like cook, go for a walk etc on your list?
- What do you include in your most basic routines- what is something that simply must be done no matter what?
- Do you write only a few tasks on your to do list, or do you write everything that you have to do and then pick the top three or so to get done today? I’m never sure which approach is most effective.
- Do you check and adjust your to do list throughout the day? How do you remember?
- Do you ever feel like you write to much stuff to do for one day?
- Do you write down your routines too or skip them since they are ‘routines’?
- Which order do you accomplish your tasks? Due date? Importance? Fun making it?
- what are some things you always put on your to do? do you find that having the same activity at the same space everyday makes you more likely or less likely to actually do it??