Is your head overflowing? Have you lost the overview? Do you lack the discipline to get your job done? A checklist can help. You just need to know how best to use the checklist. There are ways to get the most out of your checklist, learn discipline and create order.
The checklist: what do you put on it?
What you put on your checklist can make the difference between dreading something or getting started anyway.
What you need to do
This point actually speaks for itself. You should definitely write down what you have to do on your checklist or to do list. This already helps you to no longer go to work with a full head. After all, you have everything on paper and you no longer have to remember it yourself.
What you have already done
Write two or three points on your list that you’ve already done, such as getting up and brushing your teeth. A to do list that has not yet been checked can be discouraging. However, if you’ve already ticked off some points, that motivates you to finish the rest as well. And that while you haven’t done anything for it yet!
How nice
Make something tasty for yourself, take a half hour break, sleep in for an hour … put something nice on your list, at least two or three things. Not only do you ensure that you stay fresh and focused with these fun breaks and activities, they also work extra motivating if you can tick off some points again.
Boxes and paper
There’s nothing better than checking something off your checklist. You can stimulate yourself extra by making beautiful squares where you put small V’s with a green pen. Of course you can also choose to cross out every point on the list. Incidentally, there are many people who have a checklist on the computer. Yet it is more satisfying to be able to physically check or tick something. So choose the hand movement and if necessary print your to do list if you absolutely want to make it on the computer.
The checklist: how do you write it down?
You now know what should be on a checklist, but how can you best describe a point on your checklist?
Divide up big tasks
If you have to do an extensive job, it is motivating to divide it into several pieces. This not only provides an overview, your job suddenly seems easier now that you know the steps.
Example:
- The laundry
- was figuring out
- fill the washing machine and turn it on
- hang up and dry laundry
You can also cross off four points at once when you are done with the laundry. You can apply the same to all major tasks, such as writing an article (share in: doing research, coming up with a title, writing and submitting) or doing your homework. With homework you can even divide the different subjects into smaller tasks one by one.
These tips will not only make your checklist effective; it will also be a lot more fun. So from now on you will enjoy getting started and you will have more discipline to finish your work.