Coat: J.Crew Factory ‘City’ Coat (00Reg) – on sale $79! (similar)
Top: Target Leopard Sweater (XS) – sold out (similar, similar, similar)
Bottom: SheIn Quilted Mini Skirt – old (similar, similar)
Shoes: JustFab ‘Rita’ Over Knee Boots (5.5) – (similar)
Bag: similar Amazon Gucci dupe
I can’t even believe that January is nearly over and we’re coasting through the first month of 2020 already! Early in the year, I took some time to evaluate how I was spending my time. At the time, I was feeling like I was working all the time and yet never seeming to make my way through my todo list. I would end up most days feeling frustrated and exhausted, yet also knowing that I several hours of wasted time during the day that were not efficiently utilized.
I knew I needed to tackle my day differently and after a bit of trial and error, I’ve finally landed on a method that has been working for me. Read on for the details of how I implemented an effective to do list and how it’s changed how I approach my day!
How to Create and Effective To Do List
Step 1. I Stopped Making A Massive Todo List
I am a list person through and through. I create lists for just about everything I need to do on a daily basis and sometimes, I find it’s the only way I can keep myself semi-organized. But, my lists have always ended up wayyy too long and by the end of the day, I would end up frustrated as I didn’t feel like I made a dent in crossing off items on my list. Instead, I recently started the 3+2 todo list.
Step 2: The 3 + 2 Todo List
I still let myself create lengthy todo lists and in a way, it helps me do a “brain dump” of everything that’s on my mind. But, instead of having all these items as todo’s for the day and setting unrealistic expectations, I instead select 3 big things and 2 small things from the list.
Big things are categorized as todo’s that take 2-3 hours, while small things take 20-30 minutes.
By keeping my list to 5 items, I mentally feel empowered to finish it all by the end of the day. I can mentally focus on my big tasks, starting with the hardest one first and interspersing in the small tasks in between the larger ones to give myself a mental break while still knocking todos off my list!
Step 3: Don’t Multitask
I’ve learned the hard way that nothing kills productivity more than multitasking. The human brain cannot process more than a single thing at a time. In the process of multitasking, the brain now is splitting its energy and the resulting context switching makes it such that neither job as successful as if it were done alone. FUN FACT: My husband, Adrian, actually told me this yearrrs ago when we first started dating and I refused to believe him. I swore by multitasking and simply didn’t believe that it was detrimental to productivity. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to realize that I actually do better work when I can focus on one thing at a time. Turns out the hubby was right on this one! 😏
Coat: J.Crew Factory ‘City’ Coat (00Reg) – on sale $79! (similar)
Top: Target Leopard Sweater (XS) – sold out (similar, similar, similar)
Bottom: SheIn Quilted Mini Skirt – old (similar, similar)
Shoes: JustFab ‘Rita’ Over Knee Boots (5.5) – (similar)
Bag: similar Amazon Gucci dupe
++ all photos were taken by yours truly with this camera, lens, tripod, and remote. ++
edited using Dreamy Presets – Millenial Pink (tutorial)
Since having shifted my daily focus to accomplish 3 big things + 2 small things, While my initial todo list may have spanned into the double digits, I instead have realistic expectations in completing the 5 prioritized items. I’ve felt so much more focus and ability to concentrate on my designated projects to completion — and it’s the best feeling ever to end the day with a completed todo list!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed and/or frustrated with how you’re tackling todos, then I highly recommend giving this 3+2 method a try!
What do you think about creating an effective to do list? Let me know in a comment below!
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Definitely gonna try it, I’m awful at accomplishing things on my list because I always feel overwhelmed.
I like that idea of having 3 big things and 2 smalls things! Will definitely be using that!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
I love the 3 + 2 idea! I recently got the to-do list notepads from Golden Coil and they’ve been a game-changer for me. At the beginning of each week, I like to write out my entire to-do list and highlight the most important things that need to be done, like yesterday, so I can focus on those first!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
I actually get much more accomplished when I multi-task. You may be the only person that I’ve heard say that multi-tasking is a bad thing.
I agree, having a long todo list is like setting yourself up for failure. I like the sound of your 3 + 2 list. It sounds achievable.
I am also a list person and learned years ago as a busy Mom to prioritize! I hadn’t heard of the 3+2 method before but it sounds like a great way to satisfy that feeling of accomplishment without being overwhelmed.
Don’t Multi Task is the best advice ever. I stopped doing so almost a decade back and it has been so good for my stress and productivity.
❥ tanvii.com
The 3+2 one is brilliant! I tend to want to get it ALL done and am discouraged b/c I never do. Ug!
~J http://www.hillcitybride.com
I love the idea of 5 things you’d like to tackle in a day. It’s better than writing a laundry list of items that only sets you up for failure when you don’t achieve it. :/ Been there.
Multitasking totally kills my productivity too! One at a time usually works best. Awesome tips 🙂
Anika | chaptersofmay.com
Oh my gosh I just read another article just now that said not to multitask! I think that’s the way to go for me now! Stop trying to do a million things at once and just focus!
This is really interesting, I’ve never heard of this approach. Im the same way as I you – I make daily to do lists and often feel overwhelmed and unaccomplished because I can’t get through them. I should definitely try this 3+2 strategy!
The 3+2 idea is a good one though I think I could polish off 5 tasks and then be looking for more. 🙂 Definitely avoid multitasking. YOu never complete the tasks as best you can when multitasking. Something always suffers in the process and most certainly tackle big tasks first in the day. I also like to tackle the task I dread the most first so I get it out of the way. For me, success helps breed more success so the more I get done the more I want to do more!
Sounds like we pretty much do things the same way 🙂 We both don’t form lengthy lists, use the priority 3 and brain dumping (though I enjoy your addition of the 2 small things), and we attempt not to multitask. Great!
I am definitely taking the 3 – 2 to do list! I make lists and then get so bogged down with its size that I don’t want to do anything. Eliminating multi-tasking will help me get things done faster and better. Thank you!
I am interested to try this technique with my own to do list. I tend to have a running list that just seems never ending and not prioritized. This definitely seems like a more organized way to get things done.
Ending a day with a completed todo list is one of my most favorite feelings! I agree that dressing well definitely helps me feel more productive!
These are all great tips! I really like the idea of making a list of three big priority things and two smaller things, it really helps prioritize my to-do list. Also making it seem much more manageable!
The 3+2 method is something I haven’t heard before and it sounds really good. I’m big on to do lists so I’ll give this a try.
January is usually one of the longest months for me, feels like it never ends. But, this year it’s flying by! I started doing the 3+2 type list as well, and it’s made me more productive!
I didn’t realize until recently how bad multi-tasking is for me – I end up forgetting small details about completely unrelated tasks just because I stress out my brain trying to do everything at once!
Always looking so chic! Love the pairing of the animal print and leather!
I’ve have definitely seen a boost in my productivity once I thinned out my task lists….game changer. These are all great tips! xoxo, Sarah
so many great ideas! I skip multitasking and do the 3+2 as well! huge help!
These are great tips. I always feel overwhelmed when I see a long to do list. I agree accomplishing a small list makes me feel better. Will be trying this out this year!
I agree when I do too much multi-tasking it doesnt go that well for me.
I love the idea of 3+2! Such a great way to get the important things done!
These are such great tips! My to do list is always a million pages long so I’m going to try these out! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
I feel like every year, January is the weirdest month. I try not to multitask and just get what I can done without too much pressure as long as it doesn’t have a timeline. My daughter is little and giving her my attention is the most important thing.
I’ve never heard about the 3+2 to-do list before, but I LOVE the idea of it! I thrive off having a to-do list to keep me focused every day, especially since I started working from home. I think adopting that concept would definitely help me to create lists that will propel me forward and keep me motivated. Starting today!
I like the idea of the 3+2 list. Just having one on-going list is overwhelming!
ooh I like the 3 big things… 2 little things concept! I seriously just make lists and lists and get frustrated with myself for never completing ALL of the things even thought it’s impossible.
As someone who consistently gets overwhelmed by the ever-growing to-do list, I can relate to this. I actually came up with a similar system a few years ago and then ignored it for a while. In the past six months or so, I have paid a lot of attention to actually following it and stopping with the multitasking. Like you, I found that it has been a huge factor in me actually getting things done, and with much less stress. It’s a great place to be, isn’t it?
I’m actually way more productive with smaller list too!! These are great tips!!! Thanks!
So many great tips!! I need to be better about being intentional and not multitasking. Thanks for the reminders!!
Wow I had never heard of the 3+2 rule before, but I definitely need to try it.
Although many believe that to do lists are not really required if you keep your focus areas in mind, I have been a firm believer of this tool. I love your 3 + 2 approach.
Those boots and top are very stylish. I love all the patterns. It seems if it is a little chilly outside these would be a great outfit.
My husband gets quite irritated at my attempts at multitasking. I think it’s a gift and he thinks it’s a curse…because I’m not “present” most of the time when I’m always taking on so many things at once. He is right and I’ve been working on being better. Love your outfits btw!
For me it depends on the situation, I am often able to mulitask and I am pretty great at it but if it is something time consuming that needs direct attention I find it is best to focus on that one task.
Thank you for sharing this post. I find myself multitasking a lot. In the moment I feel like it’s my fastest and most productive decision but then later don’t find it being the case. You look amazing! I love your outfit.