Y.I. Wednesday: Why I Love This Product For To-Do Lists

I love utilize to-do lists.

As a business owner and mom, I always have more than one list of tasks going at a time.

Over the years, I've tried several apps, and systems, of getting priorities listed, organized, and in a safe place.

I've used:

Sticky notes (and oldy but goody, but messy)
Simple paper and pen (long hand and doesn't' jump out of the book to remind you)
Notepad app in my phone (eh, just not working)
Emails to myself (wow, don't try this at home- black hole)
Other task management apps for my computer (like iProcrastinate)

But recently I tried Producteev!

And I love it, Because:

I like to be organized
See my to-do lists at a clear glance
Use it on my phone which helps me be efficient and organized on the go and sync

I also love it, because:

I don't like to miss deadlines (and it reminds me)
I like to visual prioritize (it uses a star system)
I like to give my husband a Honey-do list once in a while and it does that!

Thank you Producteev for helping keep my get things done efficiently, while feeding my husband's app-addiction in a good way!

Things in life aren't free, but Producteev is!

Plan Ahead to Stay in the Present

These days so many people are encouraging us to stay in the present.

I support this, though can rarely do it. Like most people, my attention is often directed in so many different directions due to busy schedules and multiple media influence.

But, my inability to sit still and be in the now, isn't always because of that....

It's also my own lack of time management.

In the beginning of the year I chose my new One Word for 2012. Very quickly I realized that to be successful with it, I would have to get better organzied.

And, one of the best ways for me to do this was to plan ahead.

Doing this might sound a bit counterproductive to 'staying in the present', but it's not actually.

Why?

Because, getting your to-do list out of the way as soon as you think of it (or know about it):

A) Gives you more time to do what you want to later.
B) Allows you to be more relaxed, less hectic and less overwhelmed.
C) Gives you an opportunity to pick a Plan B (or C) in case Plan A doesn't work out.
D) Affords you more sleep (because you won't be so stressed about tomorrow, since it's already been taken care of!
E) Gives you a longer time period to save for things (or find them on sale).
F) Helps you avoid late fees.
G) Gives you the gift of time: time to relax, enjoy the moment and make a decision without pressure.

Doesn't all of that sound incredible!

 I know you are thinking though, it sounds good, but seems like it's the opposite of procrastination...

It is.

Sorry.

I did say that I was someone who wouldn't tell you what you want to hear.

And I won't....

Don't put off today  tomorrow what you can do today....

Plan ahead, so you can actually enjoy tomorrow.

The other option?

Still having to get done what's on the to-do list, except having to do it in a hurry.

I'd rather have Plan A.

Y.I. Wednesday: Make Lists

Y.I. Make Lists:


Because it:

• Helps me to see my goals
• Helps me feel accomplished as I check them off
• Helps me stay organized
• Helps me manage my time
• Helps me prioritize
• Helps me delegate
• Helps hold me accountable
• Helps me stay focused

If you like to make lists and keep hard copies:

Use a simple notebook (and no not the 'computer' notebook- the old fashioned one which has paper in it and you must turn the pages to get more clear space). Perks: space is unlimited and you have them there to see no matter where you are, batteries not required!

If you have the iPhone check out these 25 To-Do List Apps.

If you like making lists that are on the computer, online and can sync with your email:

Check out these 3 Simple Apps (read the comments at the bottom of the article as well because readers offer their own suggestions as well).

Thanks for the Advice: 

As someone once told me, 'do not use sticky notes for lists' as they are too small. 

She was so right and I am much happier when I don't use them! :)

Do you make lists? Why or Why Not?

Time Got A Hold On You?

‘How do I manage time when it always seems as if time is managing me?’

Do you find yourself saying this exact sentence more than once a week? 

How about more than once a day?!?

It seems that time is something that is never on our side.

Though, it is.

We get plenty of it. 

Years, hours, minutes, seconds.

So why does it seem as if we don’t ever have enough of it?

Because, it boils down to our choices of what to do with it and not all of us are great at successfully organizing it.

At home I squander time as good as anyone. I can always find the lesser important tasks to work on...but it never works to my benefit.

Over time (no pun intended) I found these five things to be quite helpful when organizing my day:

1. Prioritize: Do the tasks with shorter deadlines first
2. Do the harder things first: It gets them out of the way and ensures they get done (and don’t get procrastinated upon)
3. Delegate (this takes admitting you're not superhuman): If you have too much on your plate call on a family member, friend, spouse or better yet, if you have kids they would love to help
4. Get organized (and stay organized): Everything has a place and everything in it’s place.
5. TIO (Touch it once): this is an oldie but goodie. Never put something down unless it’s been dealt with.
6. Say No to things that are not priorities or which do not resonate with your purpose in life. 
7. Beware of Time Stealers: Yes this could be considered Facebook (it happens to me), but this could also be T.V., generic/no purpose internet surfing and sleeping late (yes I do abuse this when I can-but I feel best, and I'm more productive, when I get up two hours prior to the time I would normally get up and get ready for work.

We have all probably heard of tips like these before, though  it’s good to revisit them now and again. 

 

Need more help?

Eat That Frog! Book by Brian Tracy

Online Exercise & Strategies (plug in the time you spend on each activity): 

Time Management: My Daily Hourly Schedule Exercise

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”

                                                                                      – Earl Nightingale