How to write a visionary to-do list.

I don’t know about you but I love a good to-do list. It helps me get organised and stay focused and brain-dump ideas out of my head to set me free. When i get it down on paper, i find that i get more space in my head and its a great way of stopping too many thoughts clogging up mind space and getting in the way of being clear thinking and focussed. Have one major list that carries the essential to-dos. You can write offshoot to-do lists for things that can be contained in easy separate categories, such as food shopping, household shopping, paying bills and so on. These can go on a separate piece of paper or e-list. Your main list keep true to your overall vision and help you to stay on track with that. The to-do list can keep you accountable week by week for getting things done that are important to you.

1.Take a plain piece of paper for your core to do list. An A4 printer paper size works well.  Think of this as your ´Mission Control´ page. This is the overview of all the things you want to cover right now.

2.Draw a line down the middle and two lines across the page so you have 6 boxes like this (see image below . Can you recreate a more pro version of this that looks hand drawn).

Top row left A. Jot down up to 5 things you need want to get done soon or this week.  Tick them off as you go. Put a day next to them if that helps.

Top row right B:  This is your to think about the area, Things to mull over and start to manifest and vision about

Middle row left C:  This is a place to doodle and jot down ideas that pop up to pick up later.

Middle Row right D:  A list of further time to pick up at a later date to do´s. Example: booking holidays

Bottom row left E:  Notes for action. This may be to update your site, paint the outside furniture, make some vegetable patches outside or write a few blogs.

Bottom row right F:  Things to action for buying, ordering, arranging or making happy. Eg order printer ink, subscribe to the new travel insurance policy. Usually, these are things you can get done when you have time and are near to a computer.  

If you are doing well getting things done, you will start noticing that you are ticking off your to-do´s quite quickly. Update the sheet regularly, at least once a week, and keep it handy where you sit regularly. 

3.Updating your plan the night before for the day ahead works really well and keeps you focussed on your real priorities.

4. Keep it simple.  Keep the number of things you add manageable. Lists should be less than 7 items long to keep it do-able.  We have a lot more time to plan now we are in lockdown and staying home.

This means it is more important than ever to think broadly and expansively about what you are doing every day. Choose well and use your time like its the valuable commodity that it is. This lockdown time wont last forever. 

Enjoy and let me know how it works for you or what change you would make to this plan to make it better for you.

I am off to update my lists.