You can jot your list down in a journal, agenda, calendar, or use a productivity app like todoist, asana, or Toodledo. It’s okay to list less than 6 tasks each day, but you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with more than 8. If you’re having trouble streamlining your task list, really think about what you need to get done. If some tasks can be completed later in the week, keep them off your list for tomorrow. For example, the most important tasks at work might be preparing for a meeting, catching up on emails, scheduling a phone call, finalizing a report, drafting a proposal, and updating a budget spreadsheet. It is also helpful to break down really big tasks into smaller bits. If preparing for a meeting is too big to tackle as one task, you might split it into reading over notes, going through the presentation, practicing your part, etc.
There are always exceptions to every rule, so sometimes you’ll have to start a task before the one before it is complete. For example, maybe you couldn’t reach the person you had to schedule a call with. It’s okay to leave a message and move on to the next task as you wait for them to call you back. Of course, life and emergencies happen too, which will understandably get you off task. Try to deal with them as quickly as possible. Limit potential distractions by keeping your phone and other electronics out of sight and working in a calm, quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. Keep your list in an area where you can see it every day so you’re reminded of what you need to get done.
$25,000 back then is worth about $400,000 today!
