Powering through your To Do List – The Definitive Approach

The Accountability Guy®

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Take a look at your to-do list right now. Hmm, it’s a bit scary. How many items on there are old, past their date actions that are still outstanding? If your to-do list resembles a stagnating pile of procrastination, it’s time to do something about it.

Here’s how…

Looking at a daily list of tasks that fail to inspire, motivate, or seem difficult to complete can be soul-destroying. There’s nothing worse than seeing the same points come up repeatedly, and wondering how you can avoid doing them for another hour, day, or month.

Aside from feeling frustrated at their existence and missing new opportunities (you can’t benefit from what’s not done), they can also impact the other things on your to-do list that DO interest you.

By sucking you of enthusiasm and energy, they can make the fun stuff harder because you don’t have the get-up-and-go mindset to focus on what puts a smile on your face and what makes sense for your business and the way you operate. Instead, you’re distracted by the tender points that you hope will disappear.

Far from being a pretty picture, this scenario is a reality for many people and it’s got to stop.

How to Power through your To-Do list?

Follow these three simple steps to give your to-do list a much-needed overhaul:

1. Delete

Take a look at each point on your to-do list and ask yourself, How long has the task been sitting on my to-do list for?

If it’s weeks or months, you can probably get by without doing the task at all. Your to-do list isn’t a memory bank where you scribble down everything you’re worried about forgetting – it should only be used to note down actions that contribute towards your key goals and objectives, or administrative tasks that need to get done to improve your productivity. Anything else should not be taking up precious focus and attention. Delete, delete, delete.

2. Delegate

Now look at the ‘real’ to-do list and work out what tasks you can delegate and outsource. Forget about doing everything yourself; it’s not a smart way to work and being a control-freak won’t get you anywhere! Farm out as many of your to-do’s as possible to free up your time so that you can focus on my next point.

3. Detonate

The to-do’s that are left should be; essential and something that you just can’t give to someone else to do. If they don’t fall into either of those categories, go back to step #1 and start again!

Smart time management strategies

Now that you’re clear on exactly what you need to do, it’s time to smash your way through each task with these smart time management strategies:

1. Get clear on your objective

What outcome are you trying to achieve by doing that task?
You need to know what you’re aiming for to manage your time smartly.

2. Plan

What do you need to do to get the job done?
Work out the steps involved so that you’re crystal clear on what needs to happen to achieve your objective

3. Schedule

Block out time in your diary to do each task. It’s essential that these blocks of time are physically written or typed into your program rather than left floating around inside your mind!

4. Commit

Give your blocks of time the same respect you would a client meeting, i.e. turn up & do what you’re supposed to do, with no excuses

5. Act

Work through the steps in your plan systematically and make sure you stay within the allotted time allocated to each task – this will help keep you focused and on track

By working through these steps, you will regain control over your to-do list and increase your focus and attention on what is essential. Commit to acting on these steps every day and in a short period, you will have eliminated the stagnant points on your list, and will be left with an action plan that is both relevant and motivating!

This is precisely how I can help!
Let me know if you’d like to chat about how you get on and what works and what doesn’t work for you. I’d love to include it in my future blogs.

Perhaps you are interested in my face-to-face business coaching programs and sessions or get your group of like-minded folks together for my Group program where I facilitate, chair and work personally with your group to achieve your collective goals. Ask how I can assist you to ‘Tick Those Boxes’.

Don’t forget to SHARE this post with your world, you might just help someone who’s feeling the pressure right now.

About The Author

Darren Finkelstein, The Accountability Guy®, is the founder of TICK THOSE BOXES, a specialised accountability coaching practice. Darren is a formidable international accountability coach, business advisor, mentor, and author/speaker, fostering development and measurable results in entrepreneurship, leadership, and accountability. Darren’s tale is one of perseverance, self-reinvention, and resilience.

With compelling execution, Darren has empowered high-achieving individuals and teams from Australia and New Zealand to Latin America, Europe, Asia, the UK, and the US to embrace accountability; after all, it is your superpower.

Darren’s one-on-one and group coaching programs are based on his bestselling business book, “The Accountability Advantage – Play your best game” and the latest, release “NO’ – Building a life of choice without obligation”.

Darren has an impressive background in business, having held the role of “Manager of Commercial Markets” at Apple Australia during the Steve Jobs revolution.

He enthusiastically “walks the talk,” having also successfully sold and exited his lifestyle businesses, which served as the impetus for establishing his coaching and mentoring business.

Join Darren on this transformative quest to accomplish the remarkable.

Read Darren’s full bio here:
https://tickthoseboxes.com.au/about/