Task List or Wish List?

While everyone would like to think that their task list is something that they can use to help organize their days and make everything easier, the sad truth is that it isn't. In fact, what most people commonly refer to as their task list, is in all reality a wish list. A wish list is simply put a list of things that people "wish" they could get done throughout the day. This is a huge difference from a task list, which is made up of things that need to get done throughout the day, week, month, or year. Are you able to tell the difference?

Take a look at this series of simple guidelines. These guidelines are designed to help you determine not only whether you have a task list or wish list, but how you can convert the latter to the former. All you need to do is read through these guidelines, and you will be able to have an effective task list that will allow you to finally ditch that wish list.

• Have you made a list? Sit down and actually create a list of everything that you would like to accomplish throughout the day. This initial list can be as fanciful as you wish, since you will soon be trimming it down to size. Be sure that you list everything that you may need to do throughout the day no matter how small it may seem. Do you need to go to the post office? Write it down. Need to stop off and pick up some groceries after work? Write it down.
• Can you finish the task today? After writing down your initial list go back over everything see what can actually be accomplished that same day. Some things, such as pay off the house, or write the great American novel, will take a few days, so you may want to consider taking them off the list. However, if you are making a task list for the next month or a year, feel free to keep those items on.
• How many steps does each task take? Next to each item that you still have on your list, make another smaller series of lists. These smaller lists should list comprise of the steps that are necessary to complete each task. This will help determine exactly how much time each task that you have on your list will actually take, and help you from over booking yourself.
• Decide on the number of tasks. Unfortunately, there is only so much time in each day. This means that you will need to take a look at each of the tasks that you have planned, and decide on what you can accomplish that particular day, week, month, or year. Decide on a realistic number of tasks to accomplish, and allow enough time between each task so that unexpected delays or problems won't throw you off track.
• Create a time limit. The real key to creating a task list rather than a wish list is to create a time limit for each task to be accomplished. This time limit needs to be realistic, and should only reflect what you have control over. Do not allow other peoples delays to hold you up on what you can accomplish. Rather, work on what you can within your self established time frame, and then cross it off and move onto the next item.