If you don’t have a master list start one right now.  Set a timer for 20 minutes and write down everything you have to do.  If you keep your lists in multiple places, now is the time to gather all the scraps of paper and put it all down in one master list.

2. Brain Dump Weekly On To Your List

Now that you have a master list you need to keep adding to it.  Every week block out some time to brain dump all your new to-dos.  List everything that pops into your mind.  No item is too large or too small to be added to your list.  By now you probably have an enormous list and it is a bit overwhelming.  We will take care of that in the next couple of steps.

3. Delete Items That Are No Longer Relevant

So, you have brain dumped and gathered all your miscellaneous lists into one master list and you are totally overwhelmed with all there is to do.  I want you to go through your master list and cross off anything that you really don’t need to get done.  We add items to our lists thinking we are supposed to be doing these things.  Not necessarily.  Don’t succumb to the pressure of what others are doing.  Look inside yourself to determine what needs to be done and cross off those items that are irrelevant.

4. Delegate Items That Don’t Need To Be Completed By You

We all need help and with the list you have going, you have to enlist the help of family, friends, and co-workers.  Go through your master list and decide what doesn’t need to be done by you.  Delegate those items out.  No need wasting your time on tasks that are not your strong suit when there are plenty of resources to help you.  For example, do you hate grocery shopping? There are services who will do the shopping for you.  Delegate that task out.

5. Transfer Items From Your Master List To Your Daily To-Do List

This step is one of the most important, especially if you are feeling overwhelmed by your master list.  Review your list and write down your top 3 priorities for the day.  Trust me your day will throw you curve balls, and you most likely won’t have time for more than 3 of your to-dos.  Do this every day, and you will start making progress on your master list.  It doesn’t mean you can only do those 3 items.  You may find yourself with extra time to tackle more items on the list.  Just make sure you get the top three done.

6. Schedule Your To-Dos

Writing your to-do list down doesn’t mean it is going to get done.  You need to block out time to accomplish your tasks.  Take a look at your calendar and decide when you will complete your tasks.  Make an appointment with yourself and stick to it.  No rescheduling.  You need to get these tasks done, and you have made time for it so respect your schedule.