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"The List"

If you want to do anything better, start with one simple step. Make a list. Out of 4 (and a half) years of college its the best thing I learned. It applies to almost anything you want to do. No matter what you want to improve on, mapping it out can help. Most time management lessons all revolve around getting more organized and becoming more productive. Time is money and people waste so much of it. Everyone does including me. Sometimes everyone needs to unwind with some tv or a video game, but after when I do need to get stuff done or it seems like i have a extremely large amount of things on my plate I grab a pen and paper and make my list.

Take a few minutes a day and mark down what you need to get done that day. Circle or put stars next to the most important things so you know those are the jobs you want to make your top priority. If you have a really large job break it down further so you have several smaller steps instead of one major task. This way even if you don't finish the big job all in one day you feel productive knowing you got a few major parts of it done and you're closer to finishing it.

For example, when you need to write that school paper or have a report for work, break it down into steps. Most of time these jobs don't have to be done over night in one giant session, but even if it does though break it down. The first step can be brainstorming where you gather up all over your ideas. The second step can be researching the topic. Creating the rough draft can be the third. The fourth step can be creating the second draft. The final steps can be proofreading, editing and make final revisions. Instead of one long horrible night, each step might be able to be done a different night in hour or so blocks to make the job seem a lot less stressful.

Writing the list of course is just one step. If you make a list and then fold it up, tuck it in your pocket and forget about it there really isn't much point in writing list. Take it out a couple times a day to remind yourself what you wanted to accomplish that day. Maybe you had vacuum the house on your list. Maybe you had change the batteries in the fire alarms, or maybe do another load of laundry. When you're sitting back to watch tv that night and you open that list and see a few things undone maybe you might have the motivation to cross off one or two more things before settling down for the night. Then before bed take a final look at that list. Grab a pen and paper and start over with what needs to be tomorrow. Then whatever wasn't crossed of today write down for tomorrow. If you keep pushing the same jobs back eventually you may get tired of writing it down and you'll probably want to do something about it.

Don't just make short daily goals. Make long terms goals as well. What major jobs do you want to get done in the next year or next few years. Mark the big things down. Write down steps you think will help you get there. Maybe your goal is you want to get a promotion. Think of things you can do help achieve your goals. Your list might have taking a night class. It may have working long hours. Whatever you think might help you get there put it on your list. Map our what you want to do and what steps you think you can take to help you get there. Once in a while pull that list out. Cross out what you've done and makes changes. As your life changes so won't your list.

The list doesn't have to be just chores and work related either. Put down things you've always wanted to do. Maybe you want to spend more time with your children. Maybe you always wanted to visit a certain location and always made excuses on why you couldn't. Perhaps you always wanted wanted to go sky diving or white river rafting and never have. Write down all your dreams and goals. Make time for them. Everyone needs a reason to wake up and work hard. Reward yourself and make sure you cross those off as well.

You can find a nice easy to print to do list at Paperprintout.com.