Sometimes, Just Knowing Where to Start Is the Hardest Part!
Here’s a mantra I live by and have posted everywhere as a reminder:“A dream with a date is a goal. A goal with steps is a plan. And a plan set into motion are true manifestations.”
Any dream—big or small—can be accomplished. But it all starts with a list. Lists might seem daunting at first, but the feeling of checking off tasks one by one is incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, you’ll have a long list of accomplishments and tiny reasons to celebrate yourself!
Chasing a Dream Starts with a List
Choosing your tools is the first step. Are you a pen-and-paper person? Grab a notebook and a few good pens. Prefer digital? Try apps like Google Keep or Notes to get started. The key is to pick something that feels natural and easy to use, so you’ll stick with it.
Once you’ve chosen your tool, pour out your thoughts. Don’t worry about the ‘how’ or ‘when’—just focus on the big picture. What do you want to accomplish?
Are you sitting in your living room, envisioning a new layout? Cooking but feeling disorganized? Lying in bed dreaming of a career change or travel? Start there! Write it all down.
The act of writing helps clarify your thoughts and gives you a roadmap to follow. It’s like taking a messy pile of ideas and organizing them into a clear, actionable plan.
How to Prioritize Your List
Now that you’ve brainstormed, it’s time to organize and prioritize. Here are a few methods I love:
1. The Eisenhower Matrix
This method helps you sort tasks into four categories:
Urgent & Important (do now): Tasks that need immediate attention, like meeting a deadline.
Not Urgent but Important (schedule): Tasks that contribute to long-term goals, like planning a project.
Urgent but Not Important (delegate): Tasks that can be handed off to others, like answering non-critical emails.
Not Urgent & Not Important (eliminate): Time-wasters, like mindless scrolling on social media.
Focus on urgent and important tasks first, schedule important but non-urgent ones, delegate what you can, and eliminate distractions.
2. The ABC Method
This is a simple way to rank tasks by priority:
A Tasks: Must-do, high-priority tasks (e.g., meeting a deadline).
B Tasks: Important but not urgent (e.g., planning for next week).
C Tasks: Nice-to-do but not essential (e.g., organizing your desk).
Start with your A tasks, move on to B tasks, and only tackle C tasks if you have extra time.
3. The 1-3-5 Rule
This method helps you balance your day by limiting your to-do list to:
1 Big Task: A high-effort task that requires focus (e.g., writing a blog post).
3 Medium Tasks: Important but manageable tasks (e.g., responding to emails).
5 Small Tasks: Quick, low-effort tasks (e.g., making a phone call).
This keeps your day structured and prevents overwhelm.
My Personal Method: ABC + 1-3-5
I combine the ABC Method and the 1-3-5 Rule for maximum productivity. Here’s how it works:
Use the ABC Method to prioritize tasks. Label everything as A, B, or C based on importance.
Break down A tasks into smaller, actionable steps. For example, if your A task is ‘Plan a Vacation,’ break it into steps like ‘Research flights,’ ‘Book accommodations,’ and ‘Create an itinerary.’
Apply the 1-3-5 Rule: Focus on 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks each day. Make sure at least one medium and one small task are tied to your big goal.
Set deadlines for your big-picture items to stay on track.
This approach keeps me focused, organized, and motivated. It also ensures I’m making steady progress toward my goals without feeling overwhelmed.
Stick to Your List
The key to success is consistency. Start small, set realistic timelines, and use time-blocking to manage your tasks effectively. Time-blocking is a great way to allocate specific chunks of time to each task, so you’re not just working aimlessly.
Remember, a dream is a goal put into action. Your list is the first step toward turning that dream into reality. Celebrate your progress along the way—every checked-off task is a win!
Final Thoughts
Creating a well-curated list is a small thing you can do that has BIG results. It can be the difference between a life of accomplishment and a life of ‘almosts.’ Review your list not as a task but as a dream put into action.
So, what’s on your list today? Grab your notebook or open your favorite app, and start writing. Every big dream begins with a single step—and that step is yours to take.
Note from the Author:
If you found value in this post but feel like you could use some extra assistance to get things going, I’m here to help! Whether you’re looking to come up with a plan, reorganize your basement, set up a family engagement, or simply get your home to a more manageable state, let’s work together to bring clarity and focus to your world. Message me today, and let’s turn your dreams into reality—one step at a time.
Your organized, productive future is just a conversation away. Let’s make it happen!
~Lexie~
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