Unpacking the Zen of Organised To-do Lists

Hello, wonderful subscribers!

The delicate balancing act of parenting, work, personal development, and maintaining a household, while also finding time for self-care, can often seem like a Herculean task. As a single mom, I’ve found that the secret to thriving amidst this beautiful chaos lies in the Zen of Organized To-Do Lists.

On my journey as a single parent, I've had to wear many hats - nurturer, provider, teacher, chauffeur, cheerleader, and more. I'll admit, it was overwhelming at first. There were times when I felt I was failing to juggle everything, until I discovered the power of a well-organized to-do list.

Now, let's be clear.

To-do lists are not new. They are as old as civilization, a testament to mankind’s struggle with productivity. However, there is a profound difference between a to-do list and an organized to-do list, and it’s this discovery that changed my life.

The Art of Prioritization

The first step towards an organized to-do list is learning the art of prioritization. To quote Alice in Wonderland, "I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then."

Similarly, every day is different, presenting unique challenges and opportunities. So, I start each day by identifying the most crucial tasks.

On some days, it might be preparing my son for his science fair; other times, it might be a crucial business meeting. But determining these priorities early gives my day a clear direction and focus.

Categorizing Tasks

Life is a mix of big tasks and small tasks. A massive work project and picking up laundry are both tasks, but they belong in different categories.

I use a simple system - "Must Do," "Should Do," and "Nice to Do." This helps me to distribute my energy and time wisely and allows me to see which tasks can be moved to another day or time without causing chaos.

Time Blocking

Once I had my categorized tasks, I started time-blocking. I allocate specific time slots to work on my tasks, dedicating undivided attention during those periods. This has significantly boosted my productivity and decreased stress because I know exactly when I am going to tackle each item on my list.

Tech to the Rescue

As much as I love good old-fashioned pen and paper, digital tools are a game-changer for busy moms like me. Apps like Todoist, Microsoft To Do, or Asana help manage tasks, set reminders, and even allow you to share and delegate tasks.

Learning to Say No

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, is learning to say "No." As single parents, we often feel compelled to do it all. But the truth is, we are humans, not superheroes. By learning to say no to tasks that aren't important or necessary, I've managed to free up time, reduce stress, and increase my overall happiness.

The Zen of organized to-do lists has brought order to my often-chaotic life, and more importantly, given me the peace of mind to be fully present with my child, knowing that I have a plan in place to take care of everything else.

Try incorporating these strategies into your life, and you may just find that your overwhelming to-do list can become a source of calm and control instead of stress.

Want to know more about how I reached here, read the blog below: