The dangers of an overloaded to-do list - Does your to-do list feel never-ending and unsatisfying? Here is an exercise to fix this.⠀

Exercise

1. Select an amount of time - Hide your monster to-do list and only look at it when making smaller, time-specific ones i.e. a list that covers the tasks to complete in the next fortnight, week, day, or even just the next hour.⠀
2. Find your useful time - How much time do you actually have? Look over your calendar for your free working time - the bits which aren't disrupted by meetings, events, or other activities. Total this time up.⠀
3. Now update your to-do list so that it only contains the important tasks that 'must' get done, and you can get done, in the time you have.⠀
4. After you've completed all the tasks, or reach the end of time the list covers, reflect on what you've done, and celebrate in some way (big or small).⠀
5. Before you repeat - Step 4 is very important, resist the urge to just continue on. It's this pause, reflection, and celebration that will improve your sense of achievement and productivity.

Adam Ellison

The founder and course mentor at The Monday Morning Club