Three Ways to Manage a Massive To-Do List

Feeling overwhelmed by a to-do list a million miles long? Trying to chip away at those tasks but feel like you’re spinning your wheels? You are far from alone. The fact is, in our busy world, it’s easy to fall behind. But there are things you can do to get back on track. Read on for three easy ways to tame an out-of-control schedule.

Prioritize

When overwhelmed by things that need doing, the first step is to create a master list. Often the simple act of getting it all out of your head and onto paper can do wonders to settle feelings of disarray. Once it’s all written down, break the list into categories; items that need to be completed immediately or are past due, things that need to be addressed very soon but not immediately, and things that can wait a bit. Then jump right in and tackle the most critical items that need immediate attention first before moving down the list.

Delegate

Self-sufficient people often have a hard time letting go of control and asking for help. But sometimes help is what you need. Find items on your to-do list that can be passed off to co-workers, your spouse, family, or any other person appropriate for the situation. You could also consider hiring things out while you catch up, like temporarily hiring a lawn care or cleaning service. Remember, just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the best use of your time.

Say No

This one is tough. But so often overwhelm is brought on by our desire to please others in some way. It’s alright to say no to the PTO secretary position you were nominated for, to politely pass on the dinner invite from your former colleague, or to hold off on scheduling a girl’s trip with your sister if you have a ton to do.

Time is fleeting. Once it’s gone, we can never get it back. How you choose to invest your time makes all the difference in the success you will achieve in life. We all get overwhelmed in our busy lives, but through prioritizing your to-dos, delegating what you can, and saying no to overcommitments, you can quickly get back on track.

*Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash