Need to simplify your life and get more tasks accomplished?

Let me start by admitting I am not a productivity guru. In fact I’m on the opposite end of the spectrum — lost in a mountain of piled up papers and organizational chaos. But I’m trying to improve in incremental steps — just as you do with personal finance.

A Simple Productivity Idea

I’ve got a long list of things I need and want to do. I’m sure you have a similar list either written down somewhere, in an e-mail you send yourself, or perhaps just inside your head. We’ve all got things we want to do, but obviously we can’t accomplish everything in one day.

I decided that at some point during the day I would create a list of just three things I wanted to accomplish when I got home from work.  I targeted things I wanted to accomplish outside of my “real job” because I have enough to-do lists at work. (Plus the things on my personal list either really need to be done or are things I want to do.)

Three things really doesn’t sound like a lot, but it depends on what you put into the three slots. They could be five-minute tasks or one-hour tasks.

Three Tasks Forces Me to Be Realistic

Having three tasks for each evening forces me to be realistic. If I’ve got 50 items on my list there is no physically possible way I can accomplish all of them in one evening. Instead, focusing on just three helps me set realistic goals for each day.

Those three slots are precious. This helps with prioritization of my tasks. If I truly feel like something is important and needs to get done soon, it must have a spot in one of those three slots. But what if all my slots are ‘filled’ for the day? More on that in second.

Only Three Tasks Prevents Being Overwhelmed

This is a big key for me. When you’ve got a long list of to-dos it can be so overwhelming to look at that you end up with decision paralysis. You get overwhelmed and decide that doing nothing is simply easier regardless that you have things that really need to be done. Here’s a snapshot of what my overall list looks like:

• clean out e-mail inboxes
• setup database backup for wife’s blog
• mow yard
• finish wills and other estate planning documents
• set up blogging businesses for electronic estimated tax payments
• bring flowers home for my wife
• write tomorrow’s article for No Debt Plan
• go jogging with dog
• (30 other things go here)

It’s overwhelming. Some of those items are very boring — like setting up estimated tax payments and finishing our wills. (Important, but boring.) Now imagine the list looks like this: Today:

• mow yard
• setup database backup
• write tomorrow’s article

I haven’t made a significant change to the list, but by having just three items I suddenly feel like I can accomplish these things. I have a focus. I have a daily goal.

What My New Task List Looks Like

I’m looking for something minimal that I can carry around with me. I grabbed an index card out of my desk and jotted down the date with three short-hand words to remind me of the task.

Although the index card is portable (nice), it’s also pretty flimsy. I don’t want to invest in some sort of a notebook until I can prove to myself that I can continue to track my tasks in this manner.

Another benefit of using an index card: making changes is obviously very simple. If something pops up in my life that trumps the importance of one of the top three tasks, I can simply bump one of those tasks to another day.

This tip may not blow your mind. Maybe you are already deep into GTD. Then again maybe you’re a newbie like me that has a stack of papers on his desk that need to go somewhere, anywhere.

Three tasks at a time. Day by day digging through your list. It’s worked for me… maybe it will work for you.

If you enjoyed this post then check out No Debt Plan for insight into your personal finance issues.

Photo by Jeffrey Beall

Success requires a lot of planning, hard work and perseverance.  It often demands that we get up early, take risks and make sacrifices.

Do you have the enthusiasm, passion and staying power to make it?  Are you organized, focused and determined?  All of these factors will play a part in your success!

No matter how much motivation you start with, we all need a boost from time-to-time.  Are you ready for a 10,000 volt jolt of super motivation?  Great!  Read on.

5 Articles that will give you a dose of super motivation to succeed

You’ve come to the right place to find the motivation you need to stir you to stop procrastinating and start succeeding!

You are sure to find the inspiration and advice you need to help you become successful in life in the articles below.

1.  Start with a little inspiration from great motivational quotes!

Need to get fired up?  Well, you’re in luck because Eric at Motivate Thyself has helped put together The Very Best Motivational And Personal Productivity Quotes On The Planet!  Eric shares some of his favorite quotes, but he also has encouraged his readers to share their favorites in the comments.  This truly is one of the greatest collections of motivational quotes available in one place.  Go motivate thyself!

2.  Create a plan for your life!

What exactly is it that you want to accomplish?  Have you taken the time to truly map out your goals and desires?  If not, then take some time to read A Guide to Creating Your Life Plan over at Life Optimizer.  Donald provides a ton of ideas and resources that will super-charge your planning effort!  He even goes on to give advice on exactly how to get started executing your life plan once you have it written.

3.  Take responsibility for your own success!

The only person that is going to significantly contribute to your success is YOU!  That’s why you have to take personal responsibility for your life and make it happen!  Henrik at The Positivity Blog explains this masterfully in 7 Timeless Thoughts on Taking Responsibility for Your Life.  This article will not only motivate you, but will also help you overcome some of the most common mental obstacles to success.

4.  Increase your productivity to get there faster!

Sometimes we know what we want to accomplish, but never seem to make any progress toward our goal.  Fortunately, Glen at PluginID shares with us One Sentence That Will Guarantee Unrivalled Productivity.  This is a simple, but powerful story about how to set priorities and make real progress toward any goal.  The thing that is so motivating about this article is that it makes us realize that achieving true success does not have to be complicated.

5.  Stay motivated to finish the race!

Are you already in the middle of accomplishing a goal or project only to find your motivation lacking?  Well, my friend, never fear because Hani explains 5 Ways to Stay Motivated to Finish What You Started at Pick The Brain.  This practical advice will get you back on the road to success in no time.  I have used these techniques myself, so I know they work!

Get motivated and achieve the success you desire

I guarantee you that if you’ll just read the articles above you will find the motivation and practical advice you need to get off high center in your life.

Apply the information in these terrific resources and you will start accomplishing more and making phenomenal progress toward your goals!

Did you find these articles useful?  Let me know by commenting below!

Photo by gcoldironjr2003