How Am I EVER Going to Get All This Done??

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Lisa Alioto

27 October 2019 24 comments

Ever feel like a blanket of tasks and responsibilities has wrapped itself tight around you?  That there’s just so much to do that you don’t know where to start so you just freeze?

Let me share some strategies and together we can get through this!

First, I do exactly that.  Freeze.   I stop and I take a deep breath.  It may seem like there is no time for deep breaths, but trust me, getting into the right frame of mind from the start will make everything you do that follows easier!

Second, I create a list of everything that I must get done.  Then I take another look at that list – do I really need to get to all of these things right now or can some easily be pushed down the line? 

Next, I take a scan through everything that is left on this whittled down list and I prioritize.  There’s many ways to prioritize.  For example, does it make sense to get a bunch of the little tasks done first?   Sometimes these quick wins can energize and push you forward!  Or do I have a tight deadline on a big project that must be attended to first.   Take some time at this stage so that you can accurately nail down the order of your priorities.  

Then, I set some timelines for the items on my list.  What is a reasonable amount of time to complete each task?  This helps keep me focused and chugging away at my list.  Without it, I can sometimes get sidelined by a fun interruption.  Not to say that fun can’t be built into the list – it all depends on how tight of deadlines that you have.  Sometimes stepping away from work for a bit can make you all the more efficient when you return.

Now it’s time to get to work!   If I’ve decided to plug away at my small tasks first, great!  Successes will come left and right as I plow through them.  If I have a big (daunting!) task that is pressing, one so big that I really don’t even know where to start, I take on a divide and conquer strategy.  I will take that large task and break it down into bite-size pieces that are much more manageable – and the successes from completing each piece tend to spur me on to do more!

Before you know it, your work is done and it’s time to relax!  And what better way to relax than to shop with these great discounts!

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24 thoughts on “How Am I EVER Going to Get All This Done??

  1. Breaking the large task into bite-size pieces is the best to manage everything, I just love this post. Such wonderful strategies on time management. Thank You so much for sharing.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the post Nikakshi! I’ve found the bite-size pieces strategy to be incredibly helpful myself.

  2. Definitely the most important thing is to prioritize. Making out a list also allows you to figure out what you can just cross off and not have to worry about, because, let’s face it, we don’t have to do EVERYTHING.

    1. Exactly – while we may feel, in the moment, that it all must get done, most of the time, there’s things that can drop right off the list with some good prioritization! Glad you enjoyed the article Christina!

  3. Great tips!!! I agree it can become extremely overwhelming. The best thing I can do is to remind myself that the world will not end if everything doesn’t get done asap.

    1. So true Cynthia!! Life will go on if something doesn’t get done. While something may seem critical in the moment, oftentimes that’s just the pressure we are putting on ourselves.

  4. Chloe Faulkner

    I sometimes become overwhelmed with how much I have to do. But I find sitting down and making a list of no more than 7 items really helps.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      I like your idea of a “top 7” Chloe – I may employ that tip to my strategy as well!

  5. Great tips. Taking a breath is so important because it helps to ease that initial overwhelm that I’m definitely guilty of. Then you’re able to prioritise with a rational mind.

  6. I’m guilty of it to at times! It’s hard not to want to rush in and feel that pressure to rush in! Thanks for sharing Jo!

  7. That’s exactly how I deal in such a moment. Its really sometime rough to get motivated when it gets you but when you lay back and breath to gain power and start over that would be best solution when it gets worse.

    1. Yes! Thank you for sharing your insights Philomath!

  8. Great tips, I keep my lists in a planner too so I can check them off across the day or week! -L x

    1. Lisa Alioto

      There’s a great sense of accomplishment of checking things off the list! Thanks for sharing Lizzie!

  9. Great set of tips! I pretty much do to-do lists, which are the 2nd step you described, when I feel overwhelmed with tasks and they’re very helpful in clearing the mind. Youd never think initially that putting thought to paper would make life easier and simpler.

    Johnny | Johnny’s Traventures
    https://johnnystraventures.com

    1. I LOVE to do list – it a great way to stay organized and prioritize but there’s also a great sense of accomplishment checking off the items as you complete them! Thank you for contributing Johnny!

  10. Really good tips that I’ve read at the right time I think! I always find making a list helps me to gather my thoughts and often doing the smaller tasks first can help motivate you to keep going. Thanks for sharing!

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the article Amy – thank you for sharing your insights!

  11. Gayleen Hodson says:

    This is a great and helpful post, thank you!

    1. Lisa Alioto

      I’m glad you enjoyed it Gayleen! Thanks for stopping by!

      Lisa

  12. Hi! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay.
    I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.

    1. You can follow me at @lisaalioto – the latest myneedtolive.com posts will be shared there! Glad you are enjoying them!

  13. It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful info with
    us. Please stay us up to date like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed the piece Investireoggi online! Stay tuned for more!

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