Many people make internal commitments with themselves on tasks they need to complete. Often it is as simple as a repair needed on your house, running an errand, or changing the oil in your car. When we make a plan that we don’t follow through with we can cause ourselves unnecessary stress.
I have a long list of things that I need to do in my spare time. However, there is no spare time, just time.
After working all day, I find myself wanting to relax and recover for the next day, but there is still that list in front of me. We can be fatigued by all the things we want to accomplish, and no time to do. We create this situation for ourselves.
Here is a simple plan that I have implemented that helps.
1. Keep a list of all the things you want or need to accomplish. Write them down, keep it up to date. It is less stressful to manage a list than to manage all the items in your head.
2. Define due dates. If anything on the list has to be done before a specific date, make sure you write the date next to the item. If it does not have a specific date, don’t make one up. Don’t give yourself a target. Just keep it on the list as something that needs done.
3. Commit to completing at least one thing from your list every single day. Many days you can and will do more. But get in the habit of never skipping a day. Make every day valuable in your own progress. If you have the time to do more, knock them out. Complete what makes sense. But make a commitment to complete the most important item for you every day.
Following this simple plan, you will find yourself with less stress. You will find that the list is not a roadblock, but an great tool. Relax, and go do your most important thing today.