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For years, my to-do list was my lifeline, but over time it simply became a source of stress. The huge list of unchecked tasks left me feeling lost, and that’s when I decided to make a change.
The Problem with Traditional To-Do Lists
I didn’t realize it at first, but there are actually several ongoing problems with the usual to-do lists that most people (including myself) use. Some of these include:
Overwhelming Lengths
To-do lists just seem to have this sneaky way of growing and growing until they are these huge things that very few people are actually going to be able to get through. My TDL, which I worked on at the end of each day and just tossed in a Google Doc, wound up being pages long—each and every day!
What starts as just a few manageable tasks quickly snowballs and before you know it, you’re stuck under an avalanche. Plus, even withplanner apps helping me stay organized, I just kept getting lost in how much I had to get done once I saw it all written down on “paper.”
Prioritization Issues
One of the things I struggled the most with when it came to to-do lists was how to decide what took precedence. There were so many tasks all vying for my attention, and if a day passed, then I would add two to five new tasks, and finding out where those fit was near impossible. Not to mention how easy it is to get caught up in the busy work of checking off items instead of focusing on getting them done the “right” way.
Unrealistic Expectations
Another thing that became an issue was how many unrealistic expectations I was setting for myself, and when I failed to meet all my to-do’s, it felt like a failure. No matter how much I accomplished, it always seemed like more was left to do. This constant feeling of falling short often wound up chipping away at my motivation and self-esteem, which isn’t great when you want to get things done.
The Turning Point and Why I Stopped Using To-Do Lists
I vividly remember the day that my to-do list finally did it; it finally caused me more frustration than productivity. It was a random Wednesday, and I had planned out my tasks for the day one by one, intending to get them all done by the time evening rolled around.
But, as the hours wore on, I just found myself more and more stressed and overwhelmed, unable to make any meaningful progress. It was in that moment of sheer exasperation that I knew I had to find a different way of doing things.
To do that, I had to first understand that true productivity isn’t just about mindlessly checking tasks off a list—it’s about focusing on meaningful goals and making long-term progress towards them. So, instead of lists, I needed a system that would allow me to align what I wanted to do daily with my longer-term vision and values.
In the end, rather than relying on traditional to-do lists, I’ve instead adopted a practice of “morning reviews.” It’s a daily morning check in that revolves more around reflecting on the previous day and setting clearer priorities for the day ahead.
What is a Morning Review?
A morning review, for me at least, is a deliberate and intentional means to start each day with clarity and purpose. I take a few minutes to look back on what I managed to accomplish the day before, what I’ve learned, and the challenges I faced. I also identify two or three key objectives that I want to achieve both short and long-term for the day ahead.
Unlike a regular to-do list, which tends to focus on quantity and completion alone, a morning review emphasizes being intentional and prioritizing what is most important. Instead of overwhelming myself with a seemingly endless list of tasks and chores, I carefully select a more limited amount of meaningful objectives that will positively impact my goals.
My morning review also encourages both flexibility and adaptability. It recognizes that priorities can, and will, shift throughout the day and that allows for adjustments without making me feel like a failure. This approach lets me stay focused on what truly matters and helps me avoid getting lost in the little things.
Why It Works for Me
Overall, I feel like my morning review has been a game-changer in terms of my productivity and overall well-being. By focusing on a few key objectives throughout the day and long term, I was able to feel less overwhelmed and more in control of my day.
My morning review also helps keep me grounded in long-term goals and helps make sure that my daily actions align with my vision for overall success. Starting each day with a clear plan and purpose gave me the motivation and drive to tackle all sorts of challenges head-on.
Experiment with different approaches, and don’t be afraid to try out different methods to find what works best for you. What might work for me might not necessarily be the best option for you.
Tools That Help With My Morning Review
I have found that, like with most things, using tech can help make my morning review a lot easier. I typically use a Google Doc, like with my To-Do-Lists from before, to gather my thoughts, though they are a lot less bullet-list of things that need to be done and more of a listing of my main priorities for the day. I also sync my Google Calendar so I can verify to note scheduled meetings, hard deadlines, and any family commitments I know will be happening during that day.
Set realistic expectations, and be honest about how much you’re able to accomplish in a day, then prioritize those tasks accordingly. This will help prevent you from feeling overwhelmed or disappointed.
And, when I don’t necessarily have access to my laptop or have to do something else like cooking breakfast, I tend to use the My Notebook skill on my Alexa to talk through things instead of writing them down right away. That means I can do two things at once, even if I don’t necessarily prefer splitting my attention that way.
Other Alternatives I’ve Tried
Before settling on the morning review, I experimented with some other methods. Time-blocking was one of them. It’s where you schedule specific chunks of time for tasks instead of listing them out. It worked okay for focusing on big projects, but it was tough to stick to when things didn’t go as planned.
I also triedassigning themes to each day, like “errand day” or “creative day.” That helped me focus, but it wasn’t great when something urgent popped up and threw off the schedule.
In the end, whether you stick with traditional to-do lists or adopt a new approach, the real key is to find whatever method works for you and helps you stay organized, motivated, and focused. The morning review has been an invaluable tool in my own daily routine, and I hope it can bring similar benefits to you as well.
Start small by combining your current list with a morning review to ease yourself into the habit of planning your day.
