To Do

Post Date
Categories
Lifestyle

I commented on Rona’s blog yesterday about the sanctity of my “to do” lists.  I started my process years ago and I have a system complete with timing.

 

Sunday evenings, I make my list for the upcoming week. I literally open One Note and start a new page, having the entire year to look back upon.  Across the top of the page I organize the days of the week with scheduled or tentative appointments.  Of course, it changes as the week goes on but laying it out on Sunday nights helps to keep me organized.

 

Next, I organize by topics -- admin work, Gotham “to dos”, personal tasks and of course the long list of client work.   I leave one spot on the page to organize “Immediates” -- my priority middle of the page real estate.

 

I always add a check box to each task.  That is the electronic version of crossing something off my list and it just feels good to check something completed.

 

Now that I have shared my system, I would be interested to hear your own approach to organizing your week.  Don’t get me wrong, my system has worked for me.  But, I think I am ready to shake it up a little.

 

Comments

Corey Bearak

I post tasks to the all day section of my calendar.
I sometimes when needed keep a separate list of tasks that just need to be done when time allows
Sometimes I relegate matters to sticky notes in part to use them up.
Sometimes many smaller tasks such as calls, texts and emails call for lists to be “scratched off”. Longer memos, statements, testimonies and reports can take more time, sometimes days and weeks…
Shawn Bernabeu

I use my outlook inbox as my to do list. If its in my inbox ill see it and will not delete it until its done.
Daniel Schwartz

One Note is a good strategy which I am trying to latch onto, since it travels with you on all of your technology, in office and mobile. I also still use pen and paper in a spiral notebooks and use my Outlook calendar for important calls or appointments. So, a combination of sorts.
Shelley Simpson

I am with you on the Sunday planning. Pencil and a week at a glance. The items on paper are added to my electronic calendar with reminders. Non-negotables first and then a build around those. I use time blocking. And everything gets scheduled - meals, breaks, time off, etc If it's not on the schedule, it does not get done. And if it doesn't get done, it gets moved to the next block where it fits. Being organized reduces stress and makes me more productive,
Nancy Schess

Couldn't agree more Shelley about reducing stress. Once it is on paper, I know it can be done. I tried time blocking but it didn't catch on for me.
Nancy Schess

I like OneNote for the reason you describe but also because it lives on. I start a new "tab" at the beginning of each year and build from there week by week. I can use the prior year's tabs to go back to keep track of projects and things.
Rona Gura

Post it notes on my computer screen. A bit antiquated but it works for me.
Crysti Farra

Nancy, I do the same thing, but I use both a handwritten list (when in a time crunch) and an electronic list that I keep on my tablet which is portable. Great ideas in your list though! Now I know how you do it all.....

Add new comment

About text formats

Restricted HTML

  • Allowed HTML tags: <a href hreflang> <em> <strong> <cite> <blockquote cite> <code> <ul type> <ol start type> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h2 id> <h3 id> <h4 id> <h5 id> <h6 id>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Web page addresses and email addresses turn into links automatically.