Its that time of the year where the weather’s nice and we want to get things done and in order so we can take some time off during the summer, right? Well, if only that were the case for all of us.
Most people get super motivated right after the new year, because they’ve just set their resolutions and everything’s started anew. By the time Spring comes around we’re pretty much ready to toss things to the wind and go with the full. That new year motivation is gone and it typically doesn’t reappear until back-to-school time or even the holidays. This is why it can be especially challenging to actually get things done during this time of the year. Today, I’m sharing how you can set effective goals and really get things done year around, but especially now!
Make a Daily To-Do List
Whether you choose to handwrite your to-do list on a scrap piece of paper, use a pre-printed list (like the one I’m giving away in this post!), or your phone, record what you need to get done in a tangible form. Insure you keep it in a place that you always are, so that you can frequently check it and make sure you’re getting things accomplished on it.
Hold Yourself Accountable
This is the hardest part of accomplishing our goals, because its so easy to let things go by the wayside. Sometimes it takes for us to discipline ourselves to get things done. Its important to recognize the potential consequences for not accomplishing the things that we need to. Hold yourself accountable by evaluating how you’ve gone about getting things done. Did you rush and do them? Get sidetracked or distracted? Behind schedule? We have to look at our problem areas in order to fix them. If you know where you’re going wrong, its that much easier to fix!
[Tweet “If you know where you’re going wrong, its that much easier to fix!”]
Avoid Distraction
We live in a world where everywhere we turn there is something to distract us. Many times its those little devices called our cell phones that give us unlimited access to the rest of the world, that cause the most trouble. You can fall down the rabbit hole of social media or searching Google or Wikipedia so easily when you get bored. I know for me, its one of the first things I do when I get bored. Its easier to procrastinate and waste time with distraction, than taking the time to actually set goals and check your to-do list against them.
Putting away your phone, turning off the tv, and closing down the laptop for a specified amount of time are a few of the ways you can avoid distraction. Give yourself a time limit to get whatever tasks you need to complete done and dedicate only your time, energy, and focus to it, without letting other things get in the way. Checking that task off the list will be that much more rewarding once you get it done. You can then check back into the rest of the world and enjoy some entertainment without knowing that you still have to get something done. Its nothing worst than trying to enjoy something, knowing that you have things to do.
[Tweet “Give yourself a time limit to get whatever tasks you need to complete done and dedicate only your time, energy, and focus to it.”]
Get Other’s In On It
Tell your spouse, best friend, mom, or whoever about your goals, as well as to-do list. Let them know to hold you accountable for them. You may not even be around these individuals all day, but at least when you are they can ask you about your list and if you’re getting things done. Having to answer to someone, so to say, is sometimes the best way to hold ourselves accountable. It also helps us to remember, because things come up and lists get tossed aside for higher prioritized tasks. Someone reminding you about your list might be just the thing to help you stick to it.
[Tweet “Someone reminding you about your list might be just the thing to help you stick to it.”]
Reward Yourself
Yes, rewarding yourself is so important, because it reinforces the positive behavior that is accomplishing things. It may be something small, like grabbing a frappuccino from Starbucks on your way home or a cookie from the local bakery, but that small treat at the end of a satisfying, productive day will give you the motivation to look forward to getting more things done. Knowing that there’s that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow gives you the encouragement and purpose for sticking to your list. Even if you have tasks on your list that you dread doing, knowing there’s that silver lining of a reward at the end will help you to put it in perspective and just get it done!
[Tweet “Knowing that there’s that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow gives you the encouragement and purpose for sticking to your list.”]
To help you stay productive and get things done, I made tool for you that you could print out and use on the daily to help you keep track of your tasks. You can stick it to your fridge, fold it up and put it in your bag, or even keep it handy in the car as your running errands. If you’re in school, you can add it to your class binders and have one for each class. Whatever way you choose to use it, you will have something tangible there that lays out your goals for that day.
The printable is an 8.5X11″ to do list that features a mauve and green minimalistic color scheme, lined areas where you can fill in your tasks, circles to check them off, a notes section, and area for the date. Its clean, simple, easy to use, and was intentionally created to be distraction free so that the focus would remain on your tasks. And because I couldn’t resist adding a cute bicycle graphic, because I felt it represented freedom and happiness. Those are two things I hope you feel when you have everything checked off and accomplished on your list.
[Tweet “Download this clean, simple, easy to use to-do list intentionally created to be distraction free. “]
Download the printable HERE
Listen to more about this topic on the Branded Bliss Podcast on Soundcloud!
What are some of the tools you use to set goals and get things done? – Do you prefer handwriting things, electronically keeping track, or another method?
I have my fair share of to-do lists but would be lost without them!
Me too! I have them everywhere, written down, on my phone, etc, but they keep me squared away! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂