3 Things You Can Do

During my long run today, it dawned on me that it has been a minute since I've shared. I know I have explained that I journal everyday. It's how I start everyday. Journaling grounds me, it provides quiet time where I can gather my thoughts and start my day with a clear head. 

One piece of my daily journal is my "Today" list. I used to have such a wildly long to do list for each day that most of the time, I'd end up feeling defeated because I never accomplished it all. It was impossible. Have you ever felt like your to do list had become a "never to be done" list? Overwhelming and frustrating. I've been there!

I changed things up in the last year and I feel so much more productive! I feel like I am accomplishing my tasks rather than failing and never getting things done. Here's what I changed ... I identify 3 things that are my top priority. Three. I aim to check those off. If I do - yay! If I don't, I don't kick myself, I will carry them over to tomorrow, or I might decide it's ok that I didn't do them and skip them altogether.

These 3 things always are personal tasks. The first is generally my workout goal for the day (running, strength, etc) but the second and third vary. It could be a bill I need to take care of or a task around the house that needs to get done or something I need to pick up. I really feel far more productive. Here's the kicker ... I have so much more on my to do list - activities for my girls, low priority tasks, family/friends birthday reminders, etc, but because they aren't my top 3, if I don't accomplish them, I don't kick myself.

That's all for my personal life - my home life. Professionally? I have attacked it the same way. This year, I am back in my beloved role and I am beyond thrilled! I am surrounded by people I love and doing the things I love. I have stepped back into doing so many of the same responsibilities from before and adding on new ones. So many new ones! Talk about an insurmountable to do list!

My to do list at the beginning of the year was quite unbelievable ... I didn't think I could ever dig my way out. But then I pulled my "top 3" idea in ... and yep. You guessed it. I identify 3 top priorities for the day and work really hard to check those off. I list all the rest below and as the week continues, I keep working to check them off. On Fridays, I set aside time to go back through the week and carry forward anything to Monday that wasn't done previously. 

Why did I pick 3 you might be wondering? I'm not sure - I didn't research it or anything - 3 just feels good for me. A different number might feel good for you. If you are looking to manage your to do list, really consider what is necessary. Don't overreach ... your to do list can always be more than your top priorities.

One last thing - where do I keep this? A notebook. A simple, regular, my girls didn't use all the pages in a notebook from school one year, notebook. I put the date at the top and use one page each day. I use the pens my husband got me for Christmas last year (a 32 pack!) and I write it down. This way, I get to see the collection over time, which is also a really satisfying feeling. 

And yes, at one point, one of my top 3 to do's is to get another notebook out of the hall closet upstairs and prepare it to be my next journal where I can continue to write my top 3's. It's an easy - but important! - one for me to check off. 

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