It all started with a list. Write down what you need to do, today, Alisha. It’ll keep you more motivated and organized, Alisha. It feels good to cross things off the list, Alisha. The list controls the clutter.
But the list gets longer and longer. There’s always something to be done– and after enough somethings, they begin to carry the weight of “everythings.” The list becomes the clutter.
I’m a list maker. For every paper list I make, there’s at least two more on my phone and probably twenty more running in my head. I struggle to turn it off. In spite of having a lot to do, and feeling like I am able to compartmentalize it all into lists to help me get it done…the truth is, I can’t get it all done. The lists become too long to manage some days– whether they’re on paper or in my head…it’s just too much.
And when it’s too much, I often times shut down and find myself in need of a nap or nap-like activity. So…nothing on my list gets done at all.
This was the story of my day to day life for many years. And honestly, still is in certain seasons. But about a year ago, a concept revolutionary to me began to free me from the feeling of drowning in lists I could never finish to feeling a sense of accomplishment every single day.
Do you relate to this? Work, family, day to day tasks, clutter everywhere but no time to declutter, no time to even get the dishes done! So many things to do, so many things undone, there is no space to relax. Everything– everyone– is pulling you in a different direction.
I. Get. It.
Here are three tips to help you streamline your never ending to-dos and reclaim some peace and joy in your day:
1. Start Right.
For me, this means getting up early. For you, it may mean thinking through things the night before. Adapt this to fit your needs. I know if I get up early, I can get some time alone and feel like I’ve gained some ground in my day.
Some days that “gaining ground” isn’t more than a cup of coffee in the quiet. And some days, that’s just the breath my soul needs during the early hours before the rest of the house wakes up.
But most days, during those early morning hours, the most life giving practices for me include my hot cup of coffee, quiet (ideally naturally, sometimes achieved through noise canceling headphones), my Bible, journal, planner, and a nice pen or pencil. (Do you see how I just made a list?) Sometimes I might also grab a book or play some music.
I’ll sit in my office, sipping coffee, and looking briefly at my planner. I’ll look at what I’ve already written down as tasks that need to be done this week, and then I’ll use that to make a list of what to do on that particular day (more on that in tip 2).
Then, I spend some time reading my Bible and praying. << That right there helps me to get my mind right every morning, to remember none of those tasks really matter and I’m not the center of the world.
All of this takes 30 minutes to an hour– I don’t rush it or drag it out, I just allow it to happen. If it isn’t yet time for the kids to wake up or for us to start our day, I move on to something else– whatever seems the most beneficial and life giving to do during those quiet moments alone.
Whether morning or evening, and whatever components make this time work for you, the important thing is, you set aside the time. You can do it. Try it for a week. Dare ya.
2. Be Specific.
This goes back to that part where I said I look at the list of the week’s duties. I usually start this master list on Sunday on a page in my planner (don’t get tripped up by the word planner. If 2020 has taught us anything it’s that we don’t really plan anything. You can use a notebook or journal just as easily! Use what you’ve got! *And*– keep reading, because I’ve got something for you!).
I add to this list as things come up in the week, but typically I know most of what needs to be done before the week begins (appointments, dry cleaning, water the plants, practice/game/lesson, buy a birthday present for a relative, etc.) .
I think it’s fair to say you can skip the master list if that’s stressful to you and you’d rather just live day by day, but still want to order your days. Keep reading, and disregard the master list stuff if that’s more your speed!
Okay, so here’s what you do next: Once this master list is created (or not), every morning (or evening), choose three tasks from that list (or from your brain). Three. Only three. Three. Don’t cheat on this. Just pick three and trust me. Write them down, in whatever order you want.
Set a time to begin each of those tasks. This could be a specific time, like 9:30. Or it could be a time trigger, like “as soon as I finish my workout.” And when that time shows up– DO THE THING. Do it. Just do it. Get it done.
3. Follow Through.
Don’t you stop at setting a time/trigger for your tasks. Set a prize, too. A reward. If you do the task, you get a thing. Maybe it’s another cup of coffee. Ten minutes to check your Instagram. A chapter of the book you’re loving right now. That power nap you know you want. Maybe if the particular task is very difficult, it’s a massage or pedicure appointment or lunch with a friend.
I don’t care what your reward is, you decide.
And TAKE IT.
When you do the task, at the trigger time, and complete it– TAKE THE REWARD.
Rinse and repeat for the other two tasks. And when you’ve done all three of your tasks for the day, BE DONE.
Don’t worry about what you didn’t do.
Be at rest in your soul that you did 100% of your tasks for that day. 100%!
And pick three more tomorrow.
And when you get to the end of the week and have 18-21 tasks completed, if there are any left on the master list you created or didn’t create, guess what? The world didn’t stop turning when you didn’t get those done. If they still seem important, carry them over to the next week.
It’s As Easy As 1-2-3.
That’s it. Start Right. Be Specific. Follow Through. I may have written several words on it up there, but that’s really all there is to it. You don’t need fancy equipment or expensive paper or pens. You just need to take a few minutes to choose three tasks each day, and then actually do those.
I will tell you, if you put more than three on the list, many times those days will feel as full as when you had fifteen things on your list. Three is usually completely doable and leaves you with time for the rewards you chose…and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment!
Some days, three go by quicker than you’d anticipated and it is glorious the freedom you feel! And some days, three tasks take more time than you could imagine and you feel defeated or you only end up accomplishing one of the three. And that’s okay- remember, the world keeps turning. Start again the next day.
If this resonates with you, click right here to join my email list and get access to two versions of my Daily 1-2-3 Task List. If you’re already on my email list, you can still access this– just go ahead and enter your email again and it will take you to the PDF links.
(Heads up– once you enter your email address, you get INSTANT access to the PDFs, right then, right there. You won’t have to go over to your email to access them. So be sure you open and save to your own device. If you have trouble, feel free to comment on this post or email me at alishahcary@gmail.com and I’ll help ya out!)
And if you’ve got clutter pulling you in every which direction– physical clutter, scheduling clutter, emotional clutter, mental clutter, any kind of clutter— here is my prayer for you:
Blessings-
