Does the thought of the to do list overwhelm you? How about an old fashion printable to do list? Or upgrade the to do list with new to-do apps?
Are most of your days almost over when you realize you have not completed what you “thought” you would? You had all kinds of ideas in the morning when you woke up of what you were going to do.
Then, you turned on the computer, looked at a few emails, clicked a few things, and before you knew it, it was noontime or later.
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Lists For Your Business
We could all learn from Benjamin Franklin a president who has been called The Godfather of the To-Do List! Benjamin Franklin made a printable to do list every day to get more done.
Benjamin also set himself a strict daily routine, which included time for sleeping, meals, and working, all set for specific times of the day.
Reading emails can take you away and off your tasks so use a to do app to help you check them less often. Having the to do list keeps your more focused on your time.
Write Down The To Do List the Night Before
End your days by writing the to do list for the next day. When I worked in an office, every day at 4:30 I would start to write down my printable to do list for the next day.
This was very helpful when I walked in the next day. It also allowed me to go home and not think about work. (Most of the time!)
Of course, now that I have been running my own business from home, I had gotten away from the daily to do list as I found myself working round the clock. But recently, I have found I needed them to accomplish more in less time.
Yes, that is correct, the to list allows me to DO MORE in LESS TIME! Isn’t that what we all want to do?
Add Your Breaks In The To Do List
Now, this is not what I did working for someone else as I knew to walk away for 10-15 minutes. Either grab a bite to eat, use the bathroom or go for a short walk.
But as I manage my own business and time, I rarely took breaks until I started this list of things to do each day.
Not only did I find myself having a little extra time to have lunch and go for a walk but I found that I was actually getting MORE done. Yes, taking a break also can boost your creativity and help you avoid burnout.
Yes, burnout can be real if you keep on going without taking any type of break. That can be said not only in business but in life, too. Many athletes feel burnt out after working out, day after day.
A to-do app can help you time your breaks easily whether it’s paying bills or marketing your business.
Start with the Hard or Easy Things First
Now, depending on if you are a morning person or not, start with the easy or harder things in the morning. I’m a morning person if you didn’t know. So I start with the harder things most mornings.
Then, I go on to the easier tasks as the day nears an end. Most days I try to end by a certain time so I have time to make a nice dinner instead of rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off!
Leave Time in Blocks on Your List
Be sure to leave enough time for yourself to get things off your list done. You don’t want to stress yourself out. If you get everything done early, start the list for the following day. Stay ahead and you will feel better each day.
Oftentimes, your list may contain things that take longer than you anticipate. Either stop and add it to the next day’s list or add other items to your following day’s printable to do list.
The more you can check off your list the better you will feel. You will feel like you’ve accomplished a lot and most likely you did!
Don’t Forget to Add Free Time To Your Day
Many successful people realize that they need free time. The old saying, work hard, play hard is oftentimes true. So, do schedule your free time with fun activities whether it is reading, knitting, working out, etc.
Everyone’s definition of fun may differ so pick what it is you ENJOY doing. Free time should be activities not related to work.
Benefits of a Daily To-Do List
Psychologist and author David Cohen puts our love of to-do lists down to three reasons: they dampen anxiety about the chaos of life; they give us a structure, a plan that we can stick to; and they are proof of what we have achieved that day, week or month.
So if you are feeling anxious write down the things you need to do and want to do. Start to check them off and see if they help you feel less anxiety. You can even add generating leads to your to do list. What small business doesn’t use leads to grow?
Most people need structure to get things done and be successful in life. Otherwise, they wander around endlessly wondering what to do or when to do something, or worse, never make a decision.
Having the to do list makes YOU decide. It puts you in charge of your day and your time. If you want to be more modern consider using a to-do app.
To Do List Apps
Here are some popular to do list apps that you can use to help you get more done in your 24-hour day.
- Any Do
- Tik Tok
- One List
- Google Keep
- Bear App
- Omni Focus
- Alexa to do list
The Alexa To Do List For Web
If you thought Alexa was only for searching online, you may want to think again.
Upgrade your to-do list with The Alexa to do list for web and see how much easier managing your tasks can be. Sync your chores across all your devices and keep track of what needs to get done, no matter where you are.
Got a busy schedule? Just tell Alexa what you need to do, and it’ll be on your list. You’ll never have to scramble for a pen and paper again to write the to do list.
Your tasks update in real-time, so your list is always current and reliable. Want to check off tasks with ease? Alexa’s got your back, turning organizing into something simple and stress-free with the to do list app they offer.
How Did Ben Franklin Do So Much?
Aside from being one of our forefathers in the United States, he also invented the lightning rod, made significant discoveries in physics and population studies, wrote best-selling books, composed music, and played the violin, harp, and guitar at a high level founding many civic organizations.
He started a newspaper at the age of 23 and was a postmaster for many years to name a few more things Ben Franklin accomplished in his lifetime. He also had 3 children.
Benjamin Franklin swore by lists, not just a to do list but lists to live by. He also went to bed and arose at the same time every day – he lived a structured life.
Your Turn: The To Do List
I’d love to know if you use to-do lists in your business or life and if your days are mostly structured. Do you prefer a printable to do list or a to do list app instead? Please leave your comment below.