Time: 1 Hour

STEP 1: Decide where you’ll make your list – on your phone, tablet, or a piece of paper (for many people there is something satisfying about physically marking something off your list) and put it in a place where you will see it often.

STEP 2: Start making your list. Humans have literally THOUSANDS of thoughts each day. Many of them are things we feel the need to do. The most-urgent items in your head will come first, followed by those less important and finally the not-urgent group. When the list slows a bit, think through different aspects of your life – kids, school, home, spouse, work, upcoming events, concerns, etc. to help to exhaust your list. You want to get as much out of your head and onto your list as possible. Once it’s written down, you don’t have to stress about it in the middle of the night, as you’ll know it’s accounted for.

STEP 3: Organize and prioritize the items on your list. What has to be done ASAP? What can wait until next week (or next month)? Are there any items that you can enlist someone else to help you complete? Are there items that can be grouped together (all email correspondence, all errands in a specific part of town)?

STEP 4: Put the urgent items on your calendar and include the appropriate amount of time you think it will take to complete those tasks. If you have 4 things that take approximately 15 minutes each, you can complete them during one lunch break. Remember to give yourself some wiggle room and recognize that life happens and occasionally adjustments will need to be made.

STEP 5: Envision yourself being productive and completing your entire list. (Could this be a potential positive affirmation for you?) As you start crossing items off your list, you’ll feel less stressed, happier, and less concerned over what isn’t getting done.