The Art of Having Fun

Happy & Healthy: 10 Ways to Tackle Your To-Do List

by

6 years ago

Hi Everyone,

It’s that time of year again—our ever-popular small I Am Busy prints _ are on sale for $99 this weekend only _! I’ve always loved this print for the feeling it embodies and the way it whisks me away to the very waters where I captured it. Let’s just say if anyone ever tries to disrupt your much needed R&R, tell them to talk to the print… They’ll get the message. ;)

But on a serious note, “I Am Busy” seems to quite literally be my life motto as of late, so you can probably see why this print resonates with me so much. Whether hopping from one shoot location to the next, logging time at the office, or working on #ProjectGMDreamHome, my days are booked down to the minute. So, in light of our I Am Busy sale, I thought I’d share 10 ways to get through a lengthy to-do list, even on the busiest of days. Let’s get started, shall we?

1. Don’t pass up on preparation.

Often what slows us down at the beginning of a busy day are things that could have easily been prepped the night before. Even if that means simply laying out your clothes, setting the coffee maker, or packing your lunch, take the time to do it. The coming morning will be much more streamlined, and you’ll be less likely to forget things on your way out the door.

2. Value (and schedule) downtime.

Barreling through your to-do list without a break may seem productive at first, but you’ll burn out fast. Scheduling breaks throughout the day will keep you more on-task while you work, help prevent procrastination, and you’ll be able to actually relax when you do take a moment to step away from your tasks.

3. Take time to meditate.

It’s no secret that an overwhelmed mind will immediately sabotage your ability to do good work. While it may seem like you don’t have an extra second in the day to slow down, you’d be surprised at how much your productivity increases after just taking 5 or 10 minutes to center yourself and relax your mind. If you don’t know where to start, you can even use apps like Headspace to guide you.

4. Keep a clean and tidy workspace.

If there’s one thing that will make a hectic day even more chaotic, it’s a messy workspace. Keeping your office and desk clutter-free means you’ll have less stressors staring you in the face while you work, and you’ll have an overall clearer mind.

5. Make meals a priority.

If you read this post on meal delivery services, then you know how much of a life-saver Haute Chefs is for me. Having healthy meals delivered on a schedule not only takes the stress out of eating during a busy week, but it also keeps my energy up so I can get more done. But even if you don’t have your meals delivered, make sure to eat healthy meals regularly throughout the day to fuel your body and mind.

6. Find the apps that make life easier.

The right app can be a game changer when it comes to streamlining your schedule. Whether you need an app to manage your to-do list, help you save time, or help you focus, you can probably find it in this guide. Even if that means downloading an app to schedule your workouts or order food, it will shave a few extra minutes off of your busy day.

7. Never miss a workout.

Early morning workouts are an absolute priority to me, and always help me start my day off on the right foot. Even if you don’t want to wake up at the crack of dawn and instead save your sweat for the afternoon or evening, make sure to schedule it! This way, you can’t skip out, you’ll sweat out your stresses, and the rest of your day will be more regimented.

photo: Tanya Foster

8. Set daily goals to keep you motivated.

Believe it or not, a day wide open with no goals or appointments can often make for one of the most unproductive days. If we have too much “free” time on our hands, it can easily transform into “leisure” time on accident. Keeping small daily goals or plans (like lunch with a friend, a workout class, or an appointment to run an errand) will ensure that you use your free time more wisely so you can get your work done in time for the fun stuff.

9. Tackle one thing at a time.

As easy as it is to bounce between tasks when you have a million things on your plate, it’s super important to focus on one thing at a time to get through your to-dos. You’ll be more focused, feel more accomplished at the end of each task, and there will be less loose ends to account for at the end of the day.

10. Write out a to-do list… AND a to-don’t list.

It may sound too obvious, but when you’re beginning a busy day it can be easy to forget to actually write down your to-dos. Whether it’s on your phone, or with pen and paper, having a list you can see (and then check off as you go through it) can make things seem less overwhelming. Here’s the twist: next to your to-dos, write out a to-don’t list, too! This can include any distractions you want to avoid, like “don’t check Instagram before 7 p.m.” or “don’t text until lunch time.”

How do you get through your to-do list?

I hope some of these tips help you get the most out of your day and check everything off your list. Having these I Am Busy Balloons in your office doesn’t hurt either…

Cheers,

GM