If you’re anything like me, you have a to-do list. But not just any to-do list, you have a list that will take you months—if not years—to finish…and it grows daily. The daily struggle is not working on the list, its knowing where to start on the list. There are too many task needing to be completed that I sometimes have no idea where to start. If this is you, then you are going to love this article. In this article I’m going to teach you how to finish your most important task each day—every day. Not only that, I’m going to teach you this in four steps.
Step 1: Prime Your Day for Finishing
What I mean by prime your day is start off your day positioned to succeed. I recommend starting your day with a quiet time. Spend some time with God. This helps ensure your posture and position is primed for success. But there’s more. When you finish your quiet time, sit down with a blank piece of paper and be ready to devote 15 to 20 minutes to Step 2.
Step 2: Analyze Your Anxiety
Take that piece of paper and write down three to five task that are bringing you anxiety. What task are you desperately not wanting to do. These are likely due dates creeping up or things you’ve been putting off everyday. These three to five task are likely the most important things you need to be doing, but you’ve been procrastinating because of—lack for a better word—dread.
Step 3: Plan the Right Way to Finish
Look at your that list of three to five and for each one ask yourself, “If I finish this task today, will I consider my day a success?” Do this for each of the three. The goal is to determine which of the three will not only make your day a success but also will have the biggest impact on the rest of your list. If the task I’m dreading to do leads to task I enjoy working on, I need to finish the one I hate in order to begin the task I love. Pick one out of your list of three to five to be your goal for that particular day. Then look at your calendar and block out 2 to 3 hours just to work on that one task.
Steps 1 through 3 should be completed BEFORE you open your computer or check email. Do not start your work day before completing 1 through 3. Make this a habit and you’ll thank me later.
Step 4: Do the Work
Use the time you’ve blocked out to focus on that one task. Do not work on other projects. This time should be in one time block—one continuous 2 to 3 hours. If you find yourself drifting to other projects, thats ok…just stop what you’re doing and go back to your one task. Keep on that one task for the entire time block or until its completed.
If you follow these steps each day, you’ll find that not only are you finishing your most important task each day, but you also:
- Have more time to work on tasks you enjoy (Because the task that use to take all day are being completed in three hours of focused intensity);
- Have less anxiety (Because you’re consistently finishing those tasks that use to bring dread); and
- Enjoy your off days (Because you feel successful and are no longer afraid of tomorrow).
Trust me, finishing is addicting. Comment below and let me know which task you’re knocking out first.
