Get Your To Do List Under Control

I am a master list maker.  I make lists to go along with my lists.  I even add things to my to do list just so I can cross it off.  Raise your hand if you do this, too.  I know I’m not the only one out there.  #feelsgood

My quickly jotted down notes work for small tasks and odds and ends.  But despite my very best list making efforts and a Type-A personality, my lists for bigger and business-y tasks kept failing me.

My secret to getting my to do list under control and my work back on track.

I was forgetting one step-a reality check.

I found adding one additional column to my to do list made all the difference in the world-a when column.  For my blog/design business I write down what day I’m going to complete the task and also plan out what times I’ll have to work that day.  That last part is super important.

Nearly every week when I write this list out, I’m juggling and rearranging because I’ll have six things to do on a day where I only have an hour or two to work.  Not going to happen.

Here’s the other important part to keeping it real-I don’t go to bed until that section for the day is finished.  Sounds harsh, but that’s important for two reasons:

•It keeps me realistic when I’m planning out the week.

•It keeps me from taking 462 social media breaks.

When you overcommit yourself, you just end up beating yourself up when you don’t get everything accomplished even though it wasn’t possible in the first place.  Also?  There are times when I’ve realized I had plenty of time to get things done but didn’t because I was just going to check Instagram “real quick” or check on something on Facebook.  If you have a blog or business that you want to grow, you have to make time and space to do that, or it will just keep getting pushed aside.


I stopped doing this when school go out.  Summer had arrived, and I clearly had all the time in the world to get things done.  Right?  Wrong.  I’m back with my scheduled to do list, and I’m getting more done in less time.

You can download my to do list here or by clicking on the image.
My secret to getting my to do list under control and my work back on track.

Any tips for me on how you stay on top of your to do list?