Notebooks- Why Writing Down To Do Lists can Help Productivity
At the start of each year, so many people write down their New Year's resolutions. Many of the goals involve losing weight, saving money and traveling. Overall, all of these goals involve a better grasp on productivity. Each person is granted 24 hours in a day. In this case, it's important to use them wisely. In order to use your time wisely to accomplish mundane tasks and exciting goals, it's good to write down a To Do list on a daily basis. These lists are beneficial for a few reasons.
1. Visual Reminder
It's amazing how easy it is to forget to complete the simplest task. Between news updates on your phone, kids screaming and life's responsibilities, it can be hard to remember a lot of things. Before you reach for the Ginkgo Biloba and other memory-enhancing supplements, try utilizing the power of a list. If you're in a special season where you're preparing to get married, tasks like hiring a wedding planner or booking the wedding venue can easily slip your mind. If you write down all of these tasks, you instantly free your mind up to focus on the tasks in front of you without fearing that you're forgetting something. Do yourself a favor and write down your To Do list, put it in your day planner and keep it with you throughout the day.
2. Checking Things Off
There's something so gratifying about being able to cross something off your list as completed. When you write each item down on your list, it almost serves as a written contract or promise. As you write the item down on the list, you're telling yourself that this is important enough for me to write down and complete. In this case, you've made a promise to work on it until it's completed. When you're able to cross off the item, it's a psychological reminder that you were able to finish what you started and get something done. The more consistent you are with keeping promises to yourself, the more likely you're going to trust yourself to continue to get things done in the future.
3. Time Blocking
As you write the items down on your list, it's also a great way of looking at your day and understanding the time it'll take to complete each task. If the list is too long, you'll know that you'll either need to ask for help or push certain things to the following day. It's important to be realistic about what you can truly handle. Some people are really great with their time because they have the capacity to work quickly. If you're one of those people, that's cool. If you're not one of these people, it's important to know yourself well enough to know that you shouldn't set yourself up for failure. Next to each item, write down the amount of time it can potentially take and that will help you get a better understanding of what your day is truly looking like.
At the core of every organized person's life is a list. Looking at a list on a consistent basis will help you stay focused on the tasks for the day. Make sure that your goals are reflected in that list and you'll go far.
1. Visual Reminder
It's amazing how easy it is to forget to complete the simplest task. Between news updates on your phone, kids screaming and life's responsibilities, it can be hard to remember a lot of things. Before you reach for the Ginkgo Biloba and other memory-enhancing supplements, try utilizing the power of a list. If you're in a special season where you're preparing to get married, tasks like hiring a wedding planner or booking the wedding venue can easily slip your mind. If you write down all of these tasks, you instantly free your mind up to focus on the tasks in front of you without fearing that you're forgetting something. Do yourself a favor and write down your To Do list, put it in your day planner and keep it with you throughout the day.
2. Checking Things Off
There's something so gratifying about being able to cross something off your list as completed. When you write each item down on your list, it almost serves as a written contract or promise. As you write the item down on the list, you're telling yourself that this is important enough for me to write down and complete. In this case, you've made a promise to work on it until it's completed. When you're able to cross off the item, it's a psychological reminder that you were able to finish what you started and get something done. The more consistent you are with keeping promises to yourself, the more likely you're going to trust yourself to continue to get things done in the future.
3. Time Blocking
As you write the items down on your list, it's also a great way of looking at your day and understanding the time it'll take to complete each task. If the list is too long, you'll know that you'll either need to ask for help or push certain things to the following day. It's important to be realistic about what you can truly handle. Some people are really great with their time because they have the capacity to work quickly. If you're one of those people, that's cool. If you're not one of these people, it's important to know yourself well enough to know that you shouldn't set yourself up for failure. Next to each item, write down the amount of time it can potentially take and that will help you get a better understanding of what your day is truly looking like.
At the core of every organized person's life is a list. Looking at a list on a consistent basis will help you stay focused on the tasks for the day. Make sure that your goals are reflected in that list and you'll go far.
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