We’ve all been there. Stuck in a rut and looking at all of our unfinished projects or messy house, unsure where to begin. Some of these tasks may seem as difficult as climbing Mt. Everest to complete. I myself have sat there just staring at my to-do list and letting it overwhelm me into not even making any progress! Recently, I’ve been able to tackle so many things I’ve been meaning to get done for a while and I’d like to share some of the tips that have helped me along the way!
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Tip #1: Make A List
When thinking of all the things you need to accomplish in a given time, it can be overwhelming just to keep them all on your mind. Get them out of your mind and on a piece of paper so you can check off tasks as you go.
Grab a notepad or open up the notes app on your phone and take a note of any tasks you want accomplished.
I like to do this on a daily basis so I know what chores or projects I want to accomplish that day. I also keep a running to-do list of some of my larger projects that I check off over time as I complete them.
If you need help organizing a to-do list, the one linked below on Amazon is really helpful for organizing your daily tasks!
Keep your list near you as you are working on your tasks so you can check them off as you go. By checking the smaller items off your list, you’ll be motivated to keep going!
Tip #2: Create Realistic Goals
One thing that has discouraged me in the past is creating goals for myself that I physically will not be able to complete in a specified amount of time.
Example: today I will go grocery shopping, clean the entire house, do all the laundry, and deep clean my car.
There’s no way any person would be able to complete all of those tasks in a singular day. Especially if you have kids and pets you also need to care for.
Instead, create daily goals that you know you’ll be able to complete. Choose a few of the tasks that are most important to you that you complete. A great tip for this is choosing your top three things!
Example: today I will go grocery shopping, do two loads of laundry, and vacuum out my car. (This would be way more attainable!)
Tip #3: Break a Larger Task Into Smaller Steps
When looking at a huge project that you want to undertake yourself, it can be incredibly overwhelming to think of all you have to do. Break this larger task into many smaller steps.
For example, I’ve redone several rooms in my home. From ripping everything out and replacing all the small components it appears like a task I’d never be able to complete myself. To tackle larger projects, I write down all the smaller things that need to get done in order to achieve it. This way I can keep myself motivated by seeing how far I’ve come as things are crossed off my to-do list.
Tip #4: Distract Yourself
There’s no better way to make time pass faster than if you distract yourself by working on a boring project. My personal favorite is to play a podcast! My favorite podcasts are: Murder Mystery & Makeup with Bailey Sarian and Scared to Death with Dan & Lynze Cummins.
You could also listen to music, an audiobook, or turn on your favorite show in the background!
Not only will you be able to catch up on some of your favorite shows and podcasts, you could also take the time to learn something new if you choose an educational type form of entertainment!
Tip #5: Remember to Take Breaks
Nothing will burn you out faster than continuing to work on your to-do list without taking breaks throughout the day.
My favorite thing to do is set a timer for the amount of time I want to work on a specific task. I’ll get as much done in that amount of time as I possibly can. When the timer goes off, I’ll then take a set amount of time for a break!
This can be detrimental if you take a break and never go back to the task, so you need to stay disciplined!
Tip #6: Learn to Say ‘No’… But Continue to Make Time for the Things You Love
I have so many friends and family that I truly enjoy spending time with. However, when I spend all of my off days from work having fun, none of the things I really need to get done are accomplished.
I’ve learned that I need to say ‘no’ in order to have at least one day a week at home catching up on my to-do list.
This can be really difficult at first, but trust me when I say, your loved ones will understand! Plus, this way you can spend time with them without having your to-do list in the back of your mind the entire time.
Tip #7: Prioritize the Tasks that Mean the Most to You
If there’s one task you’ve been putting off because it takes lower priority than something else but you know it will make you feel so much better when it’s done, spend some time working on that!
There are times I can see the dishes piling up in the sink and the laundry basket is overflowing, but there’s a wall I’ve been meaning to paint. And every time I walk past that wall it’s like it’s all I can see. Spending an hour working on that sort of project will make me feel so much better in the long run once it’s been accomplished!
Plus, when the larger task is finished, the smaller tasks won’t seem so large and you’ll have an increased motivation to get them done.
Tip #8: Schedule Out Time that Works for You
If there’s an open spot in your schedule, write down your tasks in that slot and stick to it! This will ensure you spend time working on those things you need to get done because you’ve already blocked out time for them.
This is something that has really helped me with some of my larger projects that I feel like simply will never be finished. I will commit myself to working on it for an hour a day on all my days off of work. Whatever I accomplish during that hour is simply what gets done.
Oftentimes when I start working on a task, I will get into it and want to keep going. So I usually wind up getting more done than I originally intended!
Tip #9: Reward Yourself With a Finished Project
Whenever you accomplish something on your to-do list, don’t forget to reward yourself! Whether it’s time spent watching your favorite show (my personal favorite), a night out with friends, or an ice cream treat from your favorite local shop, you’ll be able to sit back and relax after working so hard to accomplish your to-do list!
As you’re completing your to-do list items, you can look forward to the “light at the end of the tunnel” and the end reward will keep you motivated.
Plus, after you’ve finished your current to-do list items, more will be on the way… and you’ll have the motivation to tackle them!
Tip #10: Remember Why You Want It Done
One of the things that kept me motivated when renovating my craft room is the thought of the wonderful space it would be when it was completed. It was a long time coming but all the hard work was so worth it!
Whether it’s a larger project or a a basic household chore, remind yourself how great you’ll feel when it’s done. Many times this is just the thing to get me off my couch and wherever my to-do list is at the time so I can get to work!
These tips can apply to anything from household chores, class assignments, home improvement projects, and many more! I hope these tips will be helpful to you as you tackle your to-do list. Now stop reading my blog post and go get your stuff done!
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