If you have a lot on your plate, you need strategies to get it all done! If you want to accomplish more, check off those tasks on your to do list, and feel great about it, use the following ideas:

Prime Energy Time – PET

We accomplish more when we’re energized. Tackle the more difficult tasks during your prime time, when your energy levels are at their highest. If you’re a morning person, start bright and early. If not, wait until later in the day to start your more difficult work.

Being realistic?

We often have an unrealistic sense of time; you may have the feeling that a project will take forever or that you have “plenty of time.”  The more realistic you become, the less likely you’ll be to procrastinate.  It generally takes 1-1/2 to 3 times longer to complete tasks than we anticipate; so schedule accordingly, building in extra time for the unforeseen.

Only Got 5 minutes?

Remember that even five minutes is enough time to get something done. 1-3 phone calls can be returned in that time.  Add “quick task” time to your to-do list so that when you only have 5 minutes, you’ll have items to choose from.

Use Time Blocking / Time Charting

Make sure the most important tasks are on your schedule e.g., exercising, marketing your business, family time, etc.  It’s often too easy to let the day take control of your schedule.  But with Time Charting, you have a much better chance of doing the things you really want to accomplish.  (See the first “Time Charting” post here: http://cathysexton.com/time-charting-part-1-increasing-productivity-by-using-time-charting/)

Keep it simple and visual.  At the most, only chart out 80% of your day; this leaves room for unexpected tasks or issues.