I have all the tools a girl could want. I have my Macbook Pro, the internet, iPad, iPhone and every possible to do app there is, but what I love the most is my To Do list that I designed years ago. Between that and a composition book system (more on that later) I can structure my to do list in a way that doesn't make me crazy and actually gets things done.
The To Do List components:
- To Do: Obviously there is a place to add to do items. It features a button to x when it is done, a line to add the item and a small place to add who is for. I do a lot of client work and I like to mark that there.
- Go: There is a field for places I need to remember to go. Yes, I am in my 40's and if I don't write it down I will get too busy and forget I need to get to the library to pick up the key for an early morning meeting.
- Connect: There are people I have to connect with that day and people I want to connect with. I put them in that field.
- Sit, Write, Exercise: Those are my three personal methods of me time. I aim to sit (meditate) for 20 minutes, write long hand, and exercise every day. I don't always succeed, but it gives me a running look at where I am missing out.
- Dates: I write the date and circle the day... just to remember when I did or when I am going to do something.
- Big Blank Spot: My list includes a blank spot because a lot of my work is consulting over the phone and I need to take some notes. That is usually what ends up in that spot. This year it is designed with my One Little Word: Focus.
How I Use My To Do List:
- I print out 31 at a time and clip them to my clipboard. This sits next to me on my desk or travels with me in my tote bag if I am out and about.
- I add things at the end of the day to the next day or carry over items that are not finished.
- I also add things to specific days as they come up via email or float through my concisouness as a to do. They are never big things, instead I make sure that they are actually small aspects of a project that can be done. So, you won't see the name of a festival, but you might see design a poster for that festival. Everything is something that can actually be done.
- I also try to limit the amount of things that I am doing. The reality is I can, on a average productive day get 5-10 things done. If I try to cram more than that it just isn't possible and I end up defeated. Instead, I put them on days that I don't have enough things to do.
- You can Download my To Do list. It works. I know it seems VERY old fashioned, but it works and I can, when I use this system be extremely productive. And although productivity isn't a measure of how good you are; it is a measure of how good you feel. When I can cross things off my list, see how much I have done in a month, I feel good.
