: Is keeping a to-do list good time management…is there a better way?

Back to Back Issues Page

: Is keeping a to-do list good time management…is there a better way?
November 23, 2012

Courses | Books | Software | Franklin Covey | Tools

Find us on Facebook

Hi,

Is finishing work at 5pm simply a dream that is never fulfilled? Life can be hectic and overwhelming with proposals to write, meetings to attend, and clients to get back to.

How do you manage all these different responsibilities?

For most people I work with they use a to-do list. Another group like to use little yellow post-it notes that end up cluttering the desk and computer.

Is this the best way?

Keeping a to-do list is better than not, but it must be said that in today’s world of work, a to-do list is an inferior tool for time management.

Keeping a to do list is not good for a few reasons:

It can pull you into reactivity
It can be demoralizing as yesterdays to do list becomes today’s and your list grows into disarray

There is a better way.

For short term planning you really need to drop the daily list and focus on weekly planning.

Weekly planning represents the natural flow of the week, it is short enough to manage current priorities and long enough to ensure that you get your key projects in.

It is the 'Goldilocks' of short term planning in the business world.

Before you download your weekly planner get the most out of weekly planning by

Reading this time management article to make sure you get your big rocks in
Develop a time management schedule that is realistic and builds in unplanned crisis time.

All the best Kell and the team at Effective Time Management Strategies

P.S. Do What You Love Online Without Leaving Your Kids Behind.

P.P.S For a structured approach to increase efficiency and effectiveness take our free time management course

Back to Back Issues Page