Is your to-do list full of s&%*?

I am always amazed at the number of things on any woman's to-do list.  Personal-things, kids'-things, business-things, home-things, husband's-things (because, let's face it, they don't remember half of the things they need to!), and volunteer-things.  So many "things" to get done.

But let me ask you a question - should everything you have on YOUR to-do list be there?

Wait, you're thinking, you always say to 'write everything down.'  Yes, you're correct.  I say that a lot.  Actually, I even practice what I preach on that!  I write everything down so I don't forget.  But it's not all on my to-do list.

There's a thing, and you may have seen me mention it before, called a brain dump.  A brain dump is so ridiculously helpful!  It's simply a piece of paper or a place in your journal where you write down EVERYTHING that's cluttering your brain.  Thoughts, ideas, things you want to do someday, grocery list, anything that you're thinking about, write it on the paper.  The advantage of this activity is clear brain space - allowing for more decision making, creativity, relaxation, and more.  Once you remove all of the stuff, your thoughts can solidify.

Now, take a look at your to-do list.  Have you been using it as a brain dump?  Is everything on your list a specific action?  For example, let's pretend you have a dog.  You find on your to-do list a scribbled "vet."  Hmm.  Are you going to the vet today?  Do you need to call and schedule an appointment?  Maybe you needed to find a new vet because your previous one retired.  What does "vet" mean?  Let's change this to a real action item on your list, because we just discovered it actually meant "stop by the vet and buy flea medicine."  OK, THERE'S an action item. 

This is so important, and so common.  Make sure the things you have on your to-do list are actually actions you need to take.  If you are fancy, you'll have your list separated into separate sections, such as "to-call," "to-go," and "to-do."  If you're a time-blocker, these separate lists will help you immensely with effectively using your blocked time.

Go back and review your brain dump page.  Move any of the actions to your to-do list.  The rest can be sorted into other categories, ideas, bucket-list, projects, etc.

Finally, you have a solid, and clean, to-do list.  No more irrelevant items.  Doesn't it feel so much better?  

Have an amazing day!

~Jessica