How to create a mostly unbusy day
Feb 18, 2023
Are you drowning in endless to-do lists that always seem to be growing instead of shrinking?
Do you find that you are busy and running around all day, yet never seem to get anything done?
Me too! I used to drive myself crazy trying to get “everything” done. I would get to the end of the day exhausted and depleted with more tasks on my to-do list than in the morning.
Well, I’m here to tell you the problem isn’t you. It’s your approach to your to-do list. We start our weeks and days with an endless list of tasks without considering our time, resources, energy levels, and core values. We put very little thought into what we actually want to get done, what we actually need to do, and how we want our days to look and feel. Here is an alternative approach to your standard to-do list that will help you feel better at the end of the day.
I have never been a big fan of SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). It never resonated with me. But I do love to do things mostly. So instead of using smart goals for my to-do list, I created the concept of MOSTLY tasks.
What are MOSTLY tasks?
Manageable, One thing, Supplies, Time, Let it be You.
Manageable
Each task must be one small and specific thing that you can do. If your task list consists of big ideas, chunk it down until you get to one thing.
One thing
Each task should be one thing that moves you closer to your goals.
Supplies
Make sure you have the supplies you need to accomplish this task. If you don’t, then your first task is getting the supplies.
Time
Make sure you have time in your schedule to do this task. So often, we have these unrealistic expectations for how long things will take and/or how much time we have in the day. This sets us up to fail. Plan for the time you actually have and not the time you wish you had.
Let it be You
Make sure that the tasks on your daily or weekly list hit one or more of your core values.
- Create three lists: What do I need to get done this week? What do I want to get done this week? How do I want to feel about my week?
- Star any must-do tasks and any tasks that are on both lists.
- Use this list to create three MOSTLY tasks for each day of the week.
- Outsource or reconsider the urgency of any leftover must-do tasks that didn’t make your MOSTLY list for the week.
You can have other tasks you would like to get done, but your three MOSTLY tasks are your priority. Anything else you accomplish is icing on the cake!
Drop me an email or DM me on Instagram. I’d love to hear what are your three MOSTLY tasks.
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