A To Do List to Organize Your TasksA to do list is an essential time management form for busy people who want to get things done. Download and prioritize your tasks on this time management worksheet and take control and boost productivity. Do you need a to do list? Are you constantly feeling overwhelmed? Are you facing a number of deadlines? Have you simply forgotten something that you were supposed to do? If so, then creating a task list could be beneficial for you. How Good is Your Time Management? How good is your time management? If you are busy and stressed out and not sure what to do...BUT know that something has to change....then time management may help you out. However, sometimes improving time management can be a little like trying to 'pin the tail' on the donkey...a hit and miss affair! This time management survey gets to the heart of your time management problems and shows you where to boost your time management skills. A to do list has stood the test of timeA to do list has stood the test of time because it is a simple and effective time management technique. In the early 1900's, Ivy Lee, a management consultant, visited Charles Schwab, then president of Bethlehem Steel Company. Ivy asked, "If I could increase the productivity of your managers by at least 20 percent, what would it be worth to you?" Schwab said he didn't know but it would be definitely worth alot. Ivy Lee then taught Schwab a time management skill that took 10 minutes to learn and increased productivity by at least 20 percent. Lee didn't want to be paid upfront...Schwab could decide for himself and send a check later. Schwab agreed. Free Time Management Lessons Alternatively, sign up for our 'Work Smarter Not Harder' newsletter today. Lee said that you should first make a list of all tasks that you have to do. At the start of the day select your most important items and start working on them. Once you have finished the most important, move onto the second most important, and so on. If a new task comes up during the day, keep working on the current task unless the new task is more important. If it is not more important then simply add it to your list of things to do. Schwab taught this technique to his staff. After one month Schwab was so impressed that he sent Ivy Lee a check for $25,000. Not bad for one day's work! Download your to do listA prioritized task list is essential for people who want to manage their time in an effective way. It does this by helping you to:
Download your free to do list and take the first step to significant productivity gains. Time Management Activity What tasks have you done? Were they planned or were you putting out fires most of the time? Examine your 'to do' list through the lens of the time management matrix. Are there productivity and effectiveness gains that you can make while reducing stress? Instructions for your to do listDraw a table with 4 columns. The first column is the task to be completed. The second column of the 'to do' list is an estimate of the time for completion. This is an important part of a task list as it helps you to schedule the task into your timetable. The third column is a priority of the tasks. A common method is to use the ABC method of priority, in which the important tasks are denoted with an A, those of medium importance is labeled B, and non-important tasks are marked C. The fourth column is for a tick when the task is completed. However, what are the important tasks? To prioritize your tasks, ask yourself the following questions:
How to Improve your 'to do' List A common problem in setting a task list is that the list is either not specific enough or there are too many things it. Make your tasks as specific as possible. The more specific the more likely you will tick it off in the fourth column. This may seem a bit silly but ticking a completed task does wonders to your confidence and motivation. Try to be realistic and specific in your tasks because incomplete tasks lead to a loss of confidence and aren't good for your stress relief! How a task list fits into your overall productivity planIn an ideal world your daily task list is comprised of all the actions for that day that move you toward your long term goals. However, life happens and sometimes we need to abandon the task list to get things done. A good time management skill is to draw up a weekly plan. Whether you download this weekly planner or put one into your personal organizer, a weekly plan gives you an overall view of the week. A big benefit for me is that I find a weekly plan is a natural way for me to schedule my time. I talk more about the benefits of a time management schedule and how to take advantage of your energy levels and work smarter rather than harder throughout the day. Your weekly plan funnels down into a daily plan - which is your 'to do' list!
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