Need helping staying organized? Here are a few tips on how you can make that perfect ‘to-do list’ while you’re on the go!
wOw’s Question: How do I make a to-do list?
See more of Julie Morgenstern’s ‘How Do I?’
Julie’s Answer: One of the most common mistakes people make when creating their to-do list is generating an endless inventory of everything in their heads – which is not particularly practical for getting things done. The secret sauce is creating what I call an “intelligent” to-do list, which goes way beyond just asking “what” we need to do; it addresses how long each item will take, and when we are going to do it — so that we can make realistic plans for each day.
The W.A.D.E. formula is a practical plan for sorting through your to-dos, making wise decisions and feeling the unbeatable sense of accomplishment that comes with checking things off your list.
Try applying my W.A.D.E. formula to properly manage your to-dos.
W — WRITE IT DOWN. Record every meeting, appointment, to-do, call and project in one place – whether using an iPhone, Google applications, the Julie Morgenstern Balanced Life Planner, Outlook Task List or just a simple notepad. Once you get into the habit of consistently writing everything down in a single location, you’ll stop worrying that you’re forgetting something and will be able to actually concentrate on getting things done.
A — ADD IT UP. Next to each item, write a time estimate of how long each task will take. Knowing how long things take is the No. 1 gateway skill to good time management. It takes the emotion out of our choices, and focuses on the math. To become better at time estimating – choose a few things you tend to procrastinate on, and time yourself doing them three times each. You’ll be shocked at how much you were underestimating OR, in many cases, overestimating. Years ago, I timed myself doing the dishes (which I used to procrastinate on for three hours) and discovered it only took seven minutes to do them! Upon adding up the tasks on your to-do list, you can determine if there is enough room in your day for all that needs to be done? If you only have four open hours, but have scheduled six hours’ worth of tasks, you need to make a few adjustments.
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D — DECIDE. Once you are looking at the real math, you’ll discover what you’ve feared all along: That you indeed have way more tasks than time. Have no fear, there’s a bailout strategy – it’s what I call the Four Ds. Take out your virtual hatchet and decide what you can Delete (don’t do at all), Delay (schedule for a more appropriate time), Diminish (design a shortcut that gets it done quicker) or Delegate (give it to someone else to do) to create a more doable plan. For those items that you will actually Do — decide when you will do them. A to-do not connected to a “when” rarely gets done. Therefore, for each to-do that made the cut, determine the specific day you will actually make the call, do the project or run the errand, and post it directly into your calendar for that day.
E — EXECUTE YOUR PLAN. Of course, there’s no point in making a plan if you aren’t going to implement it. This means referring to your planner frequently and completing the tasks you set forth on the days you decided to do them. The secret, underrated technique for increasing your chances of implementing your plan is to review your list the night before, not the morning of. Too many people wait until the morning to review, or create their to-do list for the day. That’s way too late; the pressure of the day, and all its little interruptions are already crashing down upon you, and you have no time to be objective. Instead, conclude every day by planning tomorrow-plus-two (tomorrow plus two days beyond that). Having a three-day arc gives you context for each activity on your schedule, frees you from worry about what you might be forgetting and prevents you from getting caught up in unimportant urgencies.
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This formula will help you plan your to-do list intelligently and realistically so you feel excited, rather than overwhelmed. It will help you stay on track all day long, so you get the right things done and feel satisfied when you go to sleep at night.
What about you, reader? Do your tasks seem easier once you have them written down in one place? How are your time-estimating skills? What to-do system have you chosen for yourself: paper, electronic, sticky notes, notecards or the back of your hand? Share your systems, solutions and philosophies with your fellow wowOwow’ers or ask Julie your own ‘How do I?’
