Today is Wednesday. That means this post focuses on outstanding performance.
Outstanding performers are good at managing time. One of the best ways I know to manage your time is a to do list. Read on for some of my ideas regarding to do lists…
Using a To Do List for Better Time Management
Use your time wisely. Adopt the Pareto Principle: focus on the critical few, not the trivial many. Set and stick to priorities. Don’t get distracted. Know where you’re going and what it takes to get there, and do it!
Realize when you’ve gotten distracted. Distractions do happen, when they do, get yourself back on track quickly.
A “to do” list is one of the best ways to help you focus on the important, critical few items that can make or break you as a star performer. Create one every day. I like to create the next day’s list prior to finishing my work for the day. In that way, I have momentum when I sit down to work in the morning.
Review your list periodically to make sure that you are focused on important – not urgent – tasks. If your do list is dominated by urgent, but not important activities, create a new list focused on important tasks. Do what’s important, not urgent. You can get overwhelmed by things that urgently need to be done. However, the most urgent tasks are not always the most important. Urgency can cause distortion. Make sure you stay focused on your priorities. Don’t get trapped by the tyranny of the urgent.
Keep the tasks on your to do list small and achievable. Most should take less than two hours to complete. In this way, you’ll feel as if you’ve accomplished something every day. You’ll be able to keep up the momentum you need to complete large projects.
Schedule and plan your day in a manner that will let you achieve your goals. A good schedule helps you accomplish several things.
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You’ll have a better understanding of what you can realistically achieve with the time available.
- You’ll be better able to plan your day to make the best use of your time.
- You’ll ensure that you have enough time for the things you absolutely must do.
Don’t forget to budget contingency time to allow you to handle the unexpected things that are bound to come up in any workday. Finally, minimize your stress by avoiding over committing yourself.
If you follow these simple tips, you’ll do a better job of managing your time, and will be more likely to become a star performer.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my other blog www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a business, and my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
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