Task planning overload

[individuo]

Hi,

I tend to have lots of things in my mind to do when I get home after work. The thing is when I get home I get really anxious because I want to do everything and quite often I end up doing nothing, which leaves me even more depressed.

Today I wanted to work out, go out for a walk, cook dinner, read, read, read and apply to some jobs (not necessarily by this order). Just did one of those so far and I'm going to bed right now so I guess I still might read for 5 min. I spent a lot of time ruminating on how stupid I am for wasting my time and being so passive.

Anyone resonates?

 

[redbaron]

Get a planner or make a to-do list and actually prioritize it.

A = vital/within 2 hours
B = important/within 24 hours
C = optional/leisurely/within 7 days

Make a list for the week. Complete all the A's, then as many B's as you can (without burning out).

An example list, going by how you want to do things would be:

Work out - A
Apply to some jobs - A
Go out for a walk - B
Cook dinner - B
Read - C

First thing I'd do is work out and apply to some jobs (either order). Then I'd take a break and decide which of the B's to do. If I don't feel like doing both after completing at least one, then just leave it there and then stop.

What's important then is that if you do leave any B's incomplete, they get turned into A's and are completed next day, and also that you complete all of the A's, and at least half of the B's - otherwise it will pile up and you're back where you started. This works for me because when you break down things this way, you realise how little you really have to do. My to-do lists for work are a lot longer, so it shouldn't be too hard to get through the list.

 

[Intellect]

Yeah, I hate the feeling of not getting everything done (or just ending up doing nothing instead). I usually just make lists in a small notebook or on an index card and cross things off as I do them.

If you're more technically-minded, http://teuxdeux.com/ and http://www.rememberthemilk.com/ are both excellent.

Before I started organizing, I was a mess when it came to productivity. I never did my homework in school until I started using my planner