Why You Should Make a Short-Term To-Do List

Why You Should Make a Short Term To Do List

Do you have a long to-do list?

Would you like to cut that to-do list in half…or more?

With so many different items staring you in the face, it can be downright difficult to complete tasks.

Fortunately, there is a simple solution that can help you get things done.

What is it? It’s called a short-term to-do list.

A short-term to-do list is all about completing tasks in the present moment.

Specifically speaking, a short-term to-do list is a list of tasks that can be completed in an hour or two. That’s it.

In this post, you’ll find several helpful reasons why you should craft a short-term to-do list.

Don’t think such a short list can be super-effective? Why not give it a try?

You’ll be amazed at what you can get done in a brief period of time.

Here are a few key reasons to create your own short-term to-do list.

You need to get tasks, chores, and administrative items out of your head.

Have you ever tried to complete work when you’ve got a lot of different things on your mind?

Your mind could be stuffed with ideas about that short story you want to write, an arm’s length list of administrative tasks for your new online business, or fashion notes about your recent shopping trip.

Yeah, it can be difficult to focus on your work.

An easy way to give your mind some breathing room is to physically write down tasks, chores, and ideas. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy.

You just want to get everything out of your head and give yourself some much-needed space.

Make a brief list using a scrap of paper and a pencil, a text editor on your smart phone, or other note-taking digital app.

You want to focus on getting things done.

Do you want to complete your tasks, errands, or to-dos quickly, and efficiently? A short-term to-do list may just be what you need!

The beauty of a short-term to-do list is that you can quickly accomplish tasks in rapid succession. You don’t need to spend inordinate amounts of time conducting research, designing layouts, or reviewing items.

You create your list and you go to work. Easy-peasy.

When creating your short-term to-do list, try listing cut-and-dry or one-time tasks on your list.

It will be crystal clear as to which tasks you need to complete. “Return toolbox to garage,” or “Mail letters at post office,” are great examples of cut-and-dry tasks.

You don’t want to refer to your master to-do list.

Does the fear of looking at your to-dos throw you into a panicky or frenzied state? Why overwhelm yourself with information if you don’t have to?

You can get things done without being overwhelmed by your to-dos. Carefully select a few items from your master to-do list and transfer them over to your short-term to-do list.

And just like that, you’ve got a short-term to-do list ready to go.

You want the satisfaction of crossing items off a list.

You may not have thought about it in this way, but completing a bunch of short-term to-dos can be extremely satisfying.

There’s something oh-so satisfying about crossing items off a list one after the other in rapid succession.

How wonderful would it be to knock off five items from your to-do list…and feel absolutely great about your work?

Can you imagine how great it would feel to cross off those to-dos that have been hanging over your head for the past week?

When it comes to sweet satisfaction, a short-term to-do list can’t be beat.  

How about you? What’s your list making style? Do you prefer working from a smaller or larger to-do list? Why? Join in the conversation and leave a comment below!

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About the Author

Rashelle

Rashelle Isip is a New York City-based productivity consultant who helps successful entrepreneurs and business owners manage their time and energy so they can reduce stress, work less, and make more money in their businesses. She has been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, NBC News, The Washington Post, NPR, and The Atlantic. Get her free guide, 5 Unexpected Things You Need to Organize a Work Notebook, by clicking here.

4 Comments

  1. Janet Barclay

    I use a program where I enter all of my tasks: short term, long term, and “someday maybe” ideas. It allows me to filter them according to priority, so I start my day looking at “Do Now.” Once those are done, I move on to “Do Soon.” When those are done (which doesn’t happen to often) or if they’re all going to take more time than I have at the moment, I’ll move on to “Do Next.” Once a week, I review my list and increase or decrease the priority of certain items as needed.

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      I too keep a list of short term, long term and future maybe ideas. I think it’s much more manageable looking at smaller lists than one giant list. These lists are easier to maintain, plus the “eyes glazed over” factor when it comes to tasks is significantly reduced. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  2. John Trosko

    Great ideas Rashelle. I seem to be most effective on the short term list myself. Something about opening up a word document and tossing things in there… printing that list, and tackling the list. I can also add things on it in pencil but the foundation is in nice, clean printed in. I like that. Then, I can transfer things over to a calendar if I have dates or appointments that come up while I am tackling the short term to do list. Again, great post.

    John aka OrganizingLA

    Reply
    • Rashelle

      Thanks John. That really is a clever way of organizing a list, especially as you have the ability to easily transfer over your text notes to a digital calendar or other application. I’m always fascinated at how people construct lists, be it paper, on a computer or phone or a combination of the two. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!

      Reply

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