Feeling stuck in list? Learn practical tips for managing tasks, building better routines, and finding balance on those low energy days.

Howdy Friends

Face it, half of planning is making lists. On any given day, you might have anywhere from 3 to 20 things that need to get done. That can be overwhelming, so let’s talk about strategies for actually getting things done.

This one’s a simpler post, but it’s full of helpful resources — I hope some of these tips give you a fresh perspective.

TLDR;

• Let it go; sometimes the day is what it is.
• If find yourself rewriting tasks, try a weekly task system
• If you write it down a lot of the same each week, digitalize or make a sticker for quick reminders
• If your list is too long, simplify it by now vs later
• Break down big tasks into smaller ones for quick wins you can compound
• Set a timer if you need help getting started – the real ADHD tip here
• Keep separate lists for clarity when it makes sense
• Do the big (or small!) things first, or even the fun things first
• Pick a method and give it time to work out before you move on

Remember: You have value beyond productivity

It’s okay if you aren’t a productivity machine

First thing I will always preach, believe, and tell people: It’s okay if you don’t feel like doing anything.

Let me repeat — if today was rough, and all you managed was getting up and going to work, that’s enough. Let yourself have that.

I worry about so many friends (and I’ve been there too). If today you’re not feeling well — physically, mentally, or emotionally — it’s okay to not do all the things. Take a day off if you can. Come in late, leave early, ask for an extension. Do what you can to get through the essentials: eat, feed the pets, shower tomorrow if you need to.

If you don’t have understanding people around you, that’s hard — sometimes we just have to half-ass things (or pretend) to make it through the day. A good boss usually recognizes that a walk or an extra break helps you come back more productive. Sadly, not all bosses are good ones, so we have to sometimes appear like we are busy when it’s not moving the needle.

You are a person, not a number or productivity thing or percentage.

If you’re repeating a daily task, try a weekly task system

Here’s a big one I’m guilty of: rewriting the same to-do list every day.

If you find yourself carrying tasks over day after day, consider switching to a weekly master list. It saves time and gives you a better overview.

Instead of this:

• Gather bills
• Check time and notes
• Create invoices for X, Y, Z
• Write thank-you note
• Attach docs

Try this:

• Prep PayPal invoices

This only works if you already know your process. If you’re still learning, writing everything out is fine — it helps you remember the steps, or maybe you need the small wins today (a tip below).

If you’re writing it down constantly, automate or sticker it

When something becomes routine, stop writing it down every day and try to automate it.

For example, if you write out your entire morning routine every day, that’s time-consuming. Once you’ve got your process down, just write “Morning Routine” and check it off. Or set a recurring reminder in Google Calendar that contains all the items in the description, or broken down how you want them. This saves time as you can repeat it.

Save yourself time and mental energy — click it, check it, let it reload and repeat for tomorrow and be done. If you print your own inserts, you can digitally add items to the list or create sticker reminders to add each week vs writing it in the tasks section each time.

If it’s something that can be automated, for example with emails or a spreadsheet, you might look into automating it as well. You can get away with a good chunk of automation with Zaiper or other programs.

Can’t get it all done today? Maybe your list is too long

If you constantly feel like you’re failing your list — maybe it’s not you. Maybe your list is just too long.

A weekly list helps because it shows progress over time instead of punishing you daily.

If your to-do list doesn’t fit on one page, you’re trying to do too much. Try time tracking for a week — see how much time goes to work, admin, and human stuff (eating, breaks, rest — all valid). It’s eye-opening to realize what can actually fit into a day.

Push non-urgent tasks to later. It’s not procrastination — it’s prioritization. There is only so much time in a day and urgent things pop up and change things. Allowing some extra time for surprises will only make it easier if you get done early. You can always add.

It feels bad to have to have an incomplete list each day and that can way on your morale.

Break down larger tasks into smaller ones

If a big task feels impossible, break it down.

I usually prefer big, general tasks — but when I’m doing something new or something I don’t want to do, I write every single step.

Example: my blog admin work.

Some days look like this:

• Pin the week’s topic (ex: books)
• Check blog numbers (what worked, what didn’t, bounce rate, etc.)
• Reread blog posts
• Categorize posts (I always forget this)
• Check post links (can I add more?)
• Pin images (at least twice per post for visibility)

It’s not glamorous, but it works for me, as if I get bored in between a tasks, I know where I left off when I wandered away by accident >>;

Breaking things into steps also made my workdays go faster — do one small piece, move on, repeat.

Set a timer to get started

If you’re struggling to start, set a timer.

The Pomodoro technique is popular for a reason. Work for 25–30 minutes, take a break, and repeat. Sometimes you just need to bargain with yourself — “I’ll do this for half an hour.” The momentum builds, and before you know it, the thing gets done.

This is the king of ADHD tips, having a timer and just flipping it over for reminders or tasks to get started, is a real motivator. You can even get some apps or games that give you HP while you are doing a task, then plug that into a store or event. Do the tasks for X minutes get a reward type game.

Keep multiple lists (this week, next week, to-buy, etc.)

I know — I said not to repeat lists. This is a little different.

Try keeping separate lists by category:

• Work
• Home
• Groceries
• This week
• Next week

I have a running list of ideas and things I want to make, plus a blog ideas list. That way, my daily list can just say “Create” without spelling out every sticker or insert idea. In this way I can pick what I want to work on when I have free time.

Some days I feel creative and knock out several items; other days I just move things around. You can also separate home vs. work lists if that helps your brain focus. I know many people keep separate work and home planners as well. If those goals and spaces are different, it can be kept different.

Do the big (or small!) things first — your choice

People love to say “Do the hardest thing first.” Personally, I prefer the opposite.

I start with small wins — easy check marks — to build momentum. Cleaning, for example, isn’t procrastination to me; it’s warming up.

Sometimes I even write down things I’ve already done just to check them off. The dopamine hit is real and it helps me tackle the bigger tasks.

It’s all personal preference. Know yourself and know what will help motivate you to continue. Some chores, like dishes, feel great to me because its a short tasks that feels like I accomplished a lot – the kitchen always looks so much cleaner with no dishes around – so those are the type of chores I like to do when I am needing some energy to power through the next thing.

Pick a method and stick to it

Digital or paper — whatever works for you.

If you like digital tools, try Google Keep, Evernote, Trello, or Asana (RIP Wunderlist, you’re missed).
If you prefer paper, use a planner or post-its. I love handwriting my lists — highlighting completed tasks is peak dopamine for me.

Here’s a example;

• Keep a weekly master list of chores, projects, and recurring tasks.
• Every night, make a daily to-do list based on that master list (plus any new tasks or whims).
• Keep a morning routine list I tweak as I go.

You do you — test different systems, mix methods, change it up when needed. The key is routine, not motivation. Make sure to give new methods a good shake, but if something isn’t working or feeling right – try to be aware when you hit those points. Maybe it’s avoiding picking up the planner to begin with or dreading what use to be fun journalling because you are behind, etc

If it’s not working it’s not. Change it up as you need, motivation fades overtime so by giving everything a bit more time to see how it feels, you may find better results than hoping around systems.

Final Reminder

You are not a productivity machine. You have value outside of what you accomplish in a day.

If you needed a reminder.

Happy Planning