At least once a year, I come across an article or video about how to-do lists don’t work and we shouldn’t use them.
Their definition of a to-do list tends to fall into one of two categories:
- The list of everything you want and need to do
- The list of things you plan to get done if today is the perfect day with no interruptions or unexpected sidetracks AND if you can get 12 hours of work done in 7 or less!
A to-do list is less of a helpful tool and more of an anxiety-creating monster with either of those definitions.
Your to-do list can be a helpful tool that keeps you on track with your goals.
Don’t get me wrong, there is a place for the list of everything you want and need to do.
As David Allen says:
Your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.
Your daily to-do list is not your everything list. Instead, your daily to-do list is a list of items that you plan on completing taking into account your appointments and normal interruptions.
I already hear you saying, “But I can’t plan for my interruptions. That’s why they’re interruptions!”
One of the common reasons I hear for not creating a to-do list is, “I never can get through it because of the unexpected interruptions! It’s so frustrating!”
This is a cycle that prevents you from creating a daily to-do list that works for you.
How long will you let this cycle hold you back?
Let me know if you’d like to have a chat about how to create a to-do list that works for you.