Take Action on Your To Do List

Small achievable actionable things you can implement today to help you complete more tasks on your to-do list 

How often do you make resolutions with a fresh new planner for the new year, only to get derailed a few weeks later? (Or for me, even days) The moment something comes along unexpected, all hell breaks loose. We all have the best intentions when we make those resolutions. And if you have followed me on social, you know I love a good tracker, and decorative spread, but let’s talk about the most important thing you can do to stay on track and work towards those goals. It’s the one and only to-do list!

Why keep a physical to-do list?

In a world where digital distractions reign supreme, a good old-fashioned physical to-do list can be a game-changer. All our devices have a lot of advantages from many perspectives, but most people are already struggling to limit their screen time. Plus, it’s easy to get distracted with all the other apps, social media, games, etc literally just a fingers tap away. As a solution, having a physical to-do list can make things much easier. It's like a superhero cape for your productivity, shielding you from the chaos of notifications and endless scrolling. Of course this article is about the to do list, but its worth noting that physically calendaring, scheduling, and journaling will also benefit you when trying to manage your time more effectively.

Why having a to-do list benefits your life?

Studies have shown that people perform better when they have written down what they need to do. When you are struggling to hold 10 books, and you set them down one by one in order… Firstly, it’s immediately less stressful because you are no longer balancing all the books. Secondly, the books have a place, and now an order, so you can pick up the exact book you need to complete the task and immediately shelf it when you are done. Makes sense right? It's like giving your brain a GPS to navigate through the jungle of tasks and distractions. By jotting down your tasks, you're not just making a list; you're creating a roadmap to success. Writing down your goals increases the likelihood of achieving them.

It has also been clinically proven that organizing your calendar and having a to-do list are also two forms of mindfulness that help people with OCD and anxiety problems.

Plus, there's something undeniably satisfying about physically crossing off tasks—it's like a victory dance with every checkmark! It means you're making progress.

How do we work on taking action on that list?

First, I have to admit freely and upfront I am an advocate for bullet Journals. Maintaining an organized AND attractive bullet journal to make to-do lists will have all the benefits we have discussed, but the process can also be a creative outlet as well. (A Little right brain, left brain tango  if you will - both logical and artistic). The best part? You have complete control over how you set it up, organize it, and what type of notebook you use.

Need some inspiration? Check out our 'Weekly Wednesday Washi Tips' for some creative ideas. And The internet is full of ideas and suggestions.

Pro tip! If you are a newbie to bullet journaling, a quick way to add personality and make your bullet journal attractive is decorating a BUJO with washi tape. You can make your layouts look beautiful even if you aren’t artistic or can’t draw. Plus, You can use it to attach loose notes, photos, tickets, and other unique remarks to your pages.

But don't let the idea of setting up a bullet journal overwhelm you. Even a simple piece of paper with labeled lists can do the trick (or the FREE printable at the end of this article). The point here is to start the list so you can start to take action on the items. I personally sing the praises of a bullet journal because they make multiple lists a breeze—just turn to a fresh page and start jotting. Plus, they keep everything in one place, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

It’s not just to-do lists either… it can be a repository for all sorts of lists: travel bucket lists, books you want to read, movies you want to watch, your daily routines—anything that pops into your head has a home in your planner. This not only keeps you organized but also gives your overworked mind some much-needed breathing room.

Taking Action on Your To-Do List

Now that we've covered why to-do lists are essential, let's dive into some tips to help you become active on your list:

BREAK IT DOWN:

Big goals can be intimidating, breaking a large goal into smaller parts helps you discover a step that you are required to complete before achieving an over all goal, all because of the use of a to-do list. Plus, you might see details that you first missed, and this can increase your capacity to produce positive results.

PRIORITIZE:

Not all tasks are created equal. Some are like VIPs demanding immediate attention, while others can chill in the backseat. Prioritize your tasks like a bouncer at a fancy club, letting in only the most important ones. This makes it simple to decide which opportunities to allocate your time to and focus on first, or even which commitments to cut off from your schedule. 

END-OF-DAY PLANNING:

Ever heard of making your to-do list at the end of your workday? It might sound odd, but trust me, it's a game-changer! This simple habit helps you avoid the dreaded procrastination trap the next day. Imagine walking into the office with your list already mapped out—talk about starting your day on the right foot!

AND I wish I could remember where I read this years ago, but it gets the task OFF your mind. Anyone else have insomnia?! Ive had it my whole life and I actually learned this tip to make my list at end of the day from an insomnia article. You all know that feeling of “your mind racing” well, turns out, if you get those items onto a list, your brain knows you don’t have to worry about remembering them.

CELEBRATE PROGRESSS:

Try a ta-da list. No, that is not a typo. When you get ready for bed or do evening journaling, write down what YOU did accomplish from your list. Get it “ta-da you completed this many tasks”. Take a moment to celebrate your wins. Write down what you've accomplished on your to-do list and do a little victory dance. Go ahead, you earned it!

LONG TERM THINKING:

Stay in for the long haul. To do lists are not just for today; they’re for tomorrow, next week, and beyond. Once you get those pesky tasks on paper, and prioritize, be realistic about what you can complete and the time line it will take to complete it. If you aren’t able to cross everything off the list in one day, don’t stress! As you create your to do list for the next day, migrate uncompleted tasks as needed. Think of it as planting seeds of productivity that will grow into a lush garden of accomplishments.

Get Started Today!

Ready to put these tips into action? We've got you covered with two free downloadable to-do lists to kickstart your productivity journey:

1. Weekly To-Do List: Perfect for those who like to see their whole week at a glance or have projects with multiple steps.
2. Daily Productivity To-Do List: Ideal for prioritizing your daily tasks and staying focused on what matters most.

You can download and print these lists, simply keep them on your desk, or use them as inspiration to create your own bullet journal. We personally love attaching printable directly into our BUJO (VIDEO ON HOW TO ATTACH) The power is in your hands!

Remember, the key to success is taking consistent action. Start today, and you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish. Here's to a year filled with productivity and plenty of checkmarks on your to-do list!

LINK TO FREE DOWNLOAD: 

Priority To Do List

Weekly To Do List

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