I can make to do lists all day long but having the list doesn’t make me do the things on it. This is because I look at my list several times a day and get overwhelmed looking at all the things I don’t feel like doing. And then not much gets done. 

I recently started using a second process with my list: numbering assignments.

First, I write down my list in any order as I think of things I need to do.

Then, I number them based on due dates and then alternate between hard stuff that’ll take a few hours, and simple stuff that’ll take a few minutes. 

Now when I look at my list I’m just looking for the next number; I’m not revisiting everything on it. And I know that when I finish a hard task, I’ve got an easy one waiting for me. 

Want to read more about to do list tips? Check out another post on to do lists here and find lots more about organizing yourself at work here.