How to perform a large project with the help of to-do lists
Productivity / / December 23, 2019
What is the essence of the system
Professional long-distance runners are very serious approach to the regulation of the tempo. They know that if they start to run at maximum speed, then very soon fizzle out and get to the finish line.
The same applies to work on large-scale projects: if you try to perform all the tasks at once, it will burn out long before the work is completed. Everything should be done gradually, and one of the best ways to do this - a system of weekly and daily to-do lists.
Its concept is very simple. At the end of each week, you create a list of all the things that you want to perform next. And at the end of each day, you select from a list of weekly tasks that you want to do tomorrow.
After cracking down on the affairs of the day, stop and rest. And if you are performing tasks for a week in advance, then do not sit down to work until the following Monday.
What are its advantages
This system has several advantages compared with the approach of "do as much as possible every day," which is used by most people.
saving energy
The main resource that is available to us - it is our energy. Weekly and daily to-do lists allow you to save it. The work is divided into small blocks, which are easy to perform. Do not try to catch as much as possible - enough to master planned.
Reduction of procrastination
When we turn over a huge project, it is difficult to resist procrastinationBecause we know very well how much more work to be. Daily task lists solve this problem by creating a clear framework for the number of cases per day. And if we know that you need to do is not so much the fear is reduced and it is easier to get started.
Preservation of the picture
Sometimes, because of the tight schedule, we forget to perform some important but non-urgent cases for several weeks or even months. For example, going to the gym or learn a new language. Here come to the aid of the weekly lists. When you need to collect all the tasks that I would like to run for 5-6 days, it is easy to recall the similar goals. Then it remains only to add them to one of the lists daily.
Preventing burnout
zapping It happens when we take on too much and does not normally allow to rest until the job is done. This is because we focus on the total number of cases in the project instead of the tasks that should be completed within a day.
Weekly and daily to-do lists share the work into smaller pieces, allowing you not to worry about the challenges ahead and to restore normal strength.
How to effectively use the system
Concentrate on the daily lists
Weekly list - is the starting point for daily. When you finish all the works of the day, do not think about other tasks for the week. Pretend they do not exist. Less worry about upcoming events, and do not try to think about the entire scope of work at once - it will reduce the tension.
Select several important goals for the month
Not to forget about any long-term or non-urgent things to be done, you need every month to record them. Then consider these objectives in the preparation of the weekly lists - so you do not miss anything important.
see also🧐
- How to stop suffering from the approaching deadline
- 2 effective ways to move toward the goal, even if you have no time
- Why work for 8 hours does not make sense and how to organize your day