Task Management Made Easy

Stressed out? It’s the holidays and we all have countless tasks that we somehow need to get behind us. Sometimes that list seems insurmountable! But worry not. I have heard of an effective way to rid yourself of all those items so quickly you wouldn’t believe it. Here’s what you need to do:

• Be sure that you keep all of your tasks on one list. Don’t fall into the trap of multiple categories and lists. Simplicity is the goal. That way you can select tasks that YOU want to do and not worry about whether it’s the “right time” to do them or not. If you feel like doing them, then do them.
• It is also important that you do not store these items online. Online items have a way of following you even when you’re not in task mode. For instance, you’re at a party at friend’s house. They have a computer in the room that “could” be used to access your tasks. Do you want that stress? Really? It’s not time to work, it’s time to Par-Tay!!! Besides, if you have a data plan on your phone, you could access them instantaneously, which again makes you feel like all of your work is following you wherever you go. Put them in one notebook and carry that notebook with you only when you know you have to be productive.
• Always be sure you have a pen with you. There’s no better feeling than being able to “check off” or “strike through” a task. (Another reason why online task managers shouldn’t be used. Clicking just doesn’t give the same satisfaction).
• Be sure that all the gifts and such that you have to procure during the holidays are on your list as well and on separate lines! That way you can mark each one off when you complete them. Ahhh…the satisfaction!
• Now, when you go shopping, you need to mark them off instantaneously, so take the pen and notebook with you. Now here’s the key, while you’re shopping be sure that you somehow drop your notebook somewhere along the way where only your subconscious knows where it is. Voila! You got free time like you wouldn’t believe!

Can’t you just feel the stress leaving your body just thinking about the sudden liberation you will have once you realize you’ve lost your notebook with absolutely everything you have to do in it? And here you thought this would be difficult!

(Not that this has ever happened to me…I just heard that it works).