It is not a Sesame Street exercise, it’s a prioritizing exercise and one that works!
I use this method with my daily to-do list. When my list is long, it helps get me started instead of going back to bed and pulling the covers over my head. This method makes me feel less overwhelmed which means less stress and more productivity.
How about that really long summer “to-do” list that feels too daunting to even start? Well, guess what? You can use this same method with that list too. Here’s how it works:
- Make a list of all the projects you would like to accomplish this summer. Don’t worry about the order or the size of the project. Just make a list.
- Go through the list and place an A in front of any project you need to get done this summer.
- Place a B in front of projects you would like to get done this summer.
- Place a C in front of projects that could wait.
- Go back to your list of A projects and ask yourself, “If I could only get one project done this summer, what would it be?” Put a 1 beside that item.
- Then, ask yourself, “If I could get one more thing done this summer, what would it be?” and label that item with a 2.
- Continue through the As asking yourself that question until all your As are labeled with a number.
- Transition and do the same thing with the Bs. Let the Cs go after all, you said they could “wait”.
- Then, take a look at your list. Is it crazy long? Do you need to rethink anything? Can you delegate or hire someone to do some of the items on your list?
- Once you have it truly paired down, get started with your A1 project and then work sequentially through your list. Make sure you have some fun things on your list as well. 🙂
Now you have your action plan! How does that feel?
A word of caution: Having 100 things on your list is unrealistic. Set a goal of accomplishing maybe 2-3 large projects, and 10-15 smaller projects.