Write things down and relieve your memory
The most reliable way to relieve your brain from this kind of multitasking is to wrote things down. Putting all the goals, actions, and tasks to paper will relieve your memory and allow focusing on one item at a time enabling you to accomplish it in the most efficient way.
Use Checklists for Routine Items
Routine work is recurring and better managed with a checklist rather than in your to-do list
I recommend managing routing work with checklists. Routine work is recurring and adding and removing these items from your to-do list is therefore waste of time. In comparison to the to-do list, you don't have to re-write the checklists each time and only need to check items off. I group checklists in three categories:1. Routine work
Here I collect routine tasks for each day of the week. Over the day I try to check as many boxes as possible and it feels great when you see all your tasks have been completed in the evening.
2. Monthly events
I create a list for each month where I keep items such as birthdays, anniversaries, and annual payments in chronological order. The current month is always on the top of the screen.
3. Know-how
These are checklists to make sure I do not forget any irregular tasks. Here I list preparation of trips, how to quality check for an article in my blog, etc.
If you want to use the Internet to manage and share checklists with others, I recommend using Gubb (http://www.gubb.net), a free Web service where you can create as many lists as you want. Within each list you can create many items to be checked and it can be adjusted to suit your needs. You even have the possibility of sharing certain lists with colleagues or family members.
Use a To-Do List
Use a to-do list for irregular items and actions related to the achievement of your projects and goals.
Routine work keeps us going but it is the other tasks and the action items from your projects that take you forward. The best way to manage your tasks is to use a to-do list. While a to-do list is not a new concept for most people, there are a few critical items to be considered to make it more effective.- Make a list of all open tasks including their due date
- Prioritize them by importance and urgency
- Use colors or symbols to make the list more transparent
One of the big questions is whether it is better to make a to-do list on paper rather than using an electronic tool. My personal opinion is that electronic tools such as Nozbe, remember the milk, or Toodledo are superior in terms of features, but require a lot of time for maintenance. I recommend a mixed approach where you use electronic solutions to outline actions that are related to the achievement of your goals for life. For day-to-day tasks paper is more efficient and a simple piece of paper will usually do.
Choose the best electronic to-do list
This is a list of a few to-do list tools I found on the Internet. Please help and vote for your favorite one in case you are using one of them. You can also add new items in case yours is not listed.
Toodledo ::: A to-do list to organize your tasks
Get organized and stay motivated with this easy to more...0 points
Nozbe: GTD at its Essence
If you're like me, your reaction after reading Dav more...0 points
Premium Wordpress Themes
premiumthemes.net provides Premium Wordpress Theme more...0 points
What bloggers write on writing down things
- ciboulette: I really do need to write things down.
- I really do need to write things down. Actually, I did write down a list of possible books for the next book club--all except for one--the one I am most keen about, of course. So today when I ended up at a bookstore I couldn't remember ...
- How To Stick To Your New Year's Fitness Resolution | Hello Beautiful
- The solution: Studies show people who write things down ? from what they eat to how they feel before, during and after exercise ? are more likely to stick to a new healthy living plan. So, before you start any routine, go to your local ...
- Phantoms and Monsters: Paranormal, UFOs, Cryptids and Unexplained ...
- I challenged people to write things down and put it in their pocket, and I would tell them the answer with precision, They would write the weirdest things and test me, I was able to feel their exact thoughts, for two weeks, ...
- April Oaks - Write it Down: My Incredible Grandparents
- I still plan to do it, but maybe I won't tie myself down to a time limit this time. Over a year ago I asked my Grandma and Grandpa Thorup to write 100 things about themseves and give the list to me. Although they are great at keeping ...
Principles of Time Management
Read my other lenses related to the principles of time management
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Plan Your Time
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You can plan your day the previous evening, in bed before standing up, when commuting, or first thing at work. I believe that each minute spend on planning pays off in higher efficiency and free time for other things over your day. Some people take...
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Set Your Goals First
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Setting your goals for life is a very important but also a very difficult task. It is better not to rush and to take enough time to think it over. I recommend defining private and professional goals. Here is a selection of common areas to help you de...
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Overcome Procrastination
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Think about how many things you did not start or complete because you procrastinated. Procrastination is probably one of the strongest reasons why people fail to achieve their goals for life. This lens focuses on how to transform the negative feeling...
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Get Up Early
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You can gain lots of extra time just by standing up as soon as you wake up. Most people spend up to an hour or more lazing around in bed before they actually make the effort of getting on their feet. Imagine what you could do with the extra 30 minute...
The An Extra Hour Master Lense
Get back to the master lens and explore other areas on how to save time and gain an extra hour every day.-
Happy About An Extra Hour Every Day
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Every day has 1,440 minutes and they pass quickly regardless if you are salaried, self-employed or own a business. Everyone who wants to achieve goals needs to carefully manage time. You can create a lot of extra time by increasing your efficiency. I...
Other Lenses about Writing Things Down
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Creating and Using Your Writer's Notebook
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Writers need notebooks. That's where they record all the flash inspirations the Muse sends them. Thoughts are fleeting. If you have a good idea for a writing project, you need a place to write it down. The logical place, the place thousands of writ...
The Happy About An Extra Hour Blog
Check out the latest posts.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGet the book on Amazon
Available on Amazon US, UK and Amazon Japan
Happy About an Extra Hour Every Day: 300 Time Saving Tips to Create a 25-Hour Day; Practical Time Saving Tips to Apply at Home, at Work and on the Go
CONTENTS:
Preface
List of Quick Wins
Chapter 1: Why we need to manage our time
Chapter 2: How to use this book
Chapter 3: Principles of Time Management
Chapter 4: How to save time at Home
Chapter 5: How to save time at Work
Chapter 6: How to save time on the Go
Appendix A: List of referenced Web Sites
Appendix B: References
Chapter 7: Yes, you Can!
Amazon Price: $19.45 (as of 01/03/2010) 
Tell Me Something!
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Reply
- Lou1842 Lou1842 Jun 8, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
- A really good tip about having checklists for routine work. I will have a go at implementing this. Thanks!
by nsoergel
My name is Nicolas Soergel. I strongly believe, that:
- Relationships are key to happiness
- Self-development is in each individual's res... (more)
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