Does your to-do list look like this... with entries carrieto-do listd over to the next day, and the next day, and the next day?

There's a solution for that...

It's called the One Item to-do List.

Each night, before you set your work aside and prepare to rest, decide what one thing is the most important task you should do the next day.

Then write your to-do list with just that one item on it.

I know, I know… you have more things than that to do.

But if you begin the day by completing that one most important task, you’ll be in an “accomplishment mode” and in the right frame of mind to choose another task.

PLUS… if your day goes as sideways as mine often do, you will have done the most important thing.

Many of us, faced with that important task, tend to do the small things first.

In fact, if the task looks daunting, we may even fill our time with “busy-work” so we can feel like we’re working.

We eat up the time and then face the end of the day feeling angry and frustrated at ourselves for not getting the most important things done.

Angry and frustrated is not a good way to feel.

So leave those small things like answering your email or cleaning your desk drawer or re-organizing your files until after you do that one thing.

I promise, you’ll not only get more done, you’ll be happier.

 

marte@copybymarte.com
www.copybymarte.com

Priest River, Idaho
208-448-1479

 

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and keep you in touch with your prospects.

 

 
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10 Comments on Taming the To-do List

SEP
15
2010
205,052 Points 6 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Yep, my to do list looked like yours. I'd carry things over from day to day as I ran out of time. Now I do the single "must do" item... and have a weekly to do list. That way when I find extra time, I tackle things on the weekly list.
6:26pm • #1
258,828 Points 6 Featured Posts

Boy, that's the truth.  I use Outlook for my task list and make the list according to importance. Being on AR doesn't help my to do list. Once I'm on AR I can't get off in a timely manner.  It's just too much fun. Good post.
6:29pm • #2
1,945,754 Points 477 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I practice psycho-drama.  Works for me.
6:30pm • #3
Outside Blog

Brian Tracey's book, "Eat That Frog!" is about this very topic. Words of wisdom.
6:48pm • #4
584,642 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I agree that being on AR doesn't help! It's too much fun to keep reading another blog and another blog...

Now I'm trying to hold off until I get that "one thing" done.

I haven't read "Eat that Frog," but I like Brian Tracey, so I should.

Lenn - Psycho-drama. Should I look that up, or will you write about it for us?
7:04pm • #5
SEP
16
2010
1,945,754 Points 477 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's a practice. 

Identify an onerous task.  Then imagine how good you'll feel when the task is done or you have achieved a goal.  If practiced correctly, you'll experience the feeling of achievement and the warm feeling of success. 

Then getting that onerous task is easy because you look forward to that nice warm feeling of success. 

Done.

Feeling good.
5:38am • #6
271,439 Points 22 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marte.....Sadly, some of my To-Do List items do carryover to the next day; however, I do try to tackle the most difficult item first, so that everything else will be easier.
2:23pm • #7
584,642 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Lenn - that's good advice.

Carra - Some days there is just too much to fit into the day. My big challenge is segregating the copywriting work list from the "in the house" work list from the outdoor work list... and deciding which list is most important at the moment.

Then, since I work at home, the next challenge is to ignore whatever isn't the list of the moment. And... not letting other people interrupt. That's probably the biggest hurdle.
2:33pm • #8
157,290 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Marte, thanks for the bang on article.  I agree with you.  Once you've accomplished that daunting/pivotal task you've already won the day, and everything else will follow.  It's also important to know when to stop the checklist, after all we've got a business to run and not just checklists to be checked off.  Doing everything on a list isn't going to guarantee the wildcards won't pop up either, so focusing on masterminding the list, as it were, is a way of not being a servant to it.

Have a great day!

Dependably,
___________
Jark Krysinski, REALTOR®, BA, ABR (Sept.)
REMAX Crest Realty Westside, 1428 W. 7th Ave., Van, BC, V6H 1C1.
DIRECT: 604.790.9945, OFFICE: 604.602.1111 x.147
TOLL FREE: 1.888.479.8999, FAX: 604.602.9191
www.SOLDBYJARK.com
www.MEETUP.com/SOLDbyJARK
www.TWITTER.com/SOLDbyJARK
www.FACEBOOK.com/JarkTheSaint
www.ACTIVERAIN.com/SOLDbyJARK
ca.LINKEDIN.com/pub/JARK-KRYSINSKI/20/b6a/462
"I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR"
 
5:07pm • #9
584,642 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jark - Isn't that the truth... We could spend all of our time just checking our lists!
6:42pm • #10


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Marte Cliff

Priest River, ID

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Marte Cliff Copywriting

Address: 1794 Blue Lake Road, Priest River, ID, 83856

Office Phone: (208) 448-1479

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Author Bio: Marte Cliff is a freelance copywriter who specializes in writing for the real estate profession.

Thoughts, ideas, insights, and tips on real estate copywriting and real estate marketing.
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