I am in the process of transferring over from working graveyard shift to day shift. So, as I sit here downing my second cup of extremely strong java and contemplating the challenges coming up in the week I know it is time to set my priorities for the upcoming few months. Due to the nature of working graveyard shift, I often fall a bit behind on my priorities and spend the months on day shift reorganizing and getting ahead of my responsibilities. The key tool for me to assess my progress and ensure I stay on task is the use of a simple to-do list.
Priorities on Paper
It may seem a bit outdated and simplistic, but the use of a tangible to-do list is essential for my goal achieving style. I am a very visual and tactile learner, so it stands to reason that I want a hard copy piece of paper, or journal, to scratch, scribble, and sketch on. The need to "feel" the priority list and experience the satisfaction of seeing an item crossed through are very important to me and to my perception of success. You know what they say, "simple minds, simple pleasures"!
My goal setting style is very similar to this as well. It has always been my belief that if it isn't written down, it didn't happen. I usually start with the most pressing items and then list them in a descending order of importance. Each day I keep my journal near me and strive to cross through as many items as possible. Each day I re-write the list eliminating items I have completed and adding items that may have come up during the course of the previous day. This system works for me. I have tried fancy electronic ways to stay on top of my priorities, but I always end up coming back to the tried and true method a putting pen to paper.
What methods do you use to stay ahead of the game? Do you use a journal, web-based priority program, or something completely different? Let me know in the comments!
You may also like my recent article on the night people I'm going to miss while on day shift!
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Unfortunately, I've tended to find that when I keep physical notes they get lost. Notebooks get misplaced, sticky notes fall off or get ignored, all that stuff. Since I'm a gamer one of my friends recommended I try Habitica, and that's been my life-changer for to-do lists.
One of the best features I think is the ability to list stuff as a daily or one time to-do, and when you check it off you earn exp to level up your character and gold to spend on things on the site that are mostly just cosmetic for your avatar if that's your thing. There's groups you can join to do quests, guilds around all kinds of topics that do challenges, and a much more social side if that's something people want to do.
I also have a channel in the discord server my roommate and I share (mostly for exchanging silly photos we find online and the like) to write down things as I do them. Really good for keeping track of things like what day I did laundry last or the dishes or something else XD
Now that sounds like an extremely interesting solution for a to-do list! What a cool concept to have a incentivized game for completing real world tasks. Too cool! Thanks for sharing!
That was kind of my first thoughts too. And they have a mobile app, so I can take it with me when I'm out and about since I never forget my phone XD
I keep meaning to try habitica, but get overwhelmed with listing all my tasks and never actually get off the ground with it...but it sounds like a really great app and I'm glad it works for you!
thanks for the information,I really agree with the point 'priority of Paper'
As a student,I usually used sticky note for daily lives task and for some important event I will tick on the calendar.I prefer using paper rather than app for 'to do list' as it is more satisfied when we tick 'right' after done the task :)
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I agree 100% there is nothing better than the feeling of ticking off an important task. I am a big fan of sticky notes as well, they are all over my monitor and keyboard...lol. Thanks for coming by and commenting.
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Sounds like you have a very good approach going here. I'm more a focus on one goal at a time person. I do however make lists if I have a lot of tasks to get through. This is more in my work environment though. It is very visually pleasing scratching them out and watching the list get gradually shorter. Good luck with the change in shifts.
That's a unique approach. I am all about using what works for you!
I personally like post it notes and the flexibility of reordering priorities by simply moving them around :D
Closest digital form of this I've seen is Trello, which is pretty nice indeed. But post it's are just nice to pick up and stick, then stack when your have done them.
We use trello at work and I like it for business, but not personal.
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Awesome post! I agree that a to-do list is important and I have also tried probably every app for it and while I also believe that having it hand written is the best, I’m also far to scatterbrained to keep that list in one place (I lost my diary with all my to-dos once and it sent me into a frantic mess - I couldn’t remember half the things on there and messed up a couple important things as a result -who knew I relied on that list so heavily: I guess it’s the only way to really relax when you are on down time with your family) anyway, now I do both.. I use a written list for the most important tasks (MITs) for that day as well as Wunderlist which I can access from anywhere with my login details (like email almost).. Wunderlist also has the ability to group tasks into folders as well as add sub-tasks to a task that perhaps needs interval work done based on feedback from other people etc.. it is sometimes tiring to be drowned in the ever present to do list! Another great app is the 5-minute journal.. it includes gratitude, 3 MITs, and affirmation/intention for the day - and then a bit of revision in the evening:) (oops super long comment but I enjoyed this post!)
Thanks for the comment and feedback. I may need to reconsider some of the apps out there for task management!
I too am a person who needs a tangible list in order to keep ahead of things that need to be done. I have tried web-based programs but they just aren't the same. The graveyard shift was the bane of my existence. I am a lark not a night owl so I did not do well on nights.
I did much better on nights when I was a much younger man..lol The older I get the harder they get.
I use a bullet journal, and usually write out what to do for my week so I don't feel terrible if I don't get to something that day. But I also have a couple whiteboards that I write repeated daily tasks and also what I want to get done that month. I feel like out of sight/out of mind is a big thing for me, so while I like physically writing it, I also have to physically see it. And when I'm in a pinch, a post-it note works just fine :) So satisfying crossing things off.
I LOVE the act of crossing things off. It is definitely a motivational tool for me.
I keep it all in my head with just the odd note.
My head is too full of useless junk to be effective with your technique..lol
Yes, I still need my notebook to write down the things I need to do, because even keeping on my phone I will still forget to check, what is the point!! Hahaha
I always forget where it is stored on my phone...lol
Hahaha! Same....
I’ve been trying to answer this question for years. So far, the only thing that works consistently is setting outlook calendar appointments for myself.
In addition to my journal, I use google calendar to schedule just about everything and I add alerts to keep me on point.
I use a to-do list as well, written down on a sticky note. If it's the first thing I do in the day I tend to get everything done by the end of the day. I tackle the easiest tasks first, just so I'll have something already done to give me a little feel good boost right at the beginning of the day.
This is a really great technique and I do the same thing. There is nothing like that early morning "win" to keep the day going!
Some days I forget to make my to-do list. I blame it on not having it on a to-do list already. 🤣
I just have loads of pieces of scrap paper on my desk with notes on, if I ever complete one of the tasks it gets crossed out - not that it happens very often!
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I have tried this in the past as well, but for me I love the feel of having a hardcover journal with me. Some days it is not practical, but something about the feel of a book with me is comforting.
@papacrusher setting priority is important to carry out all task. There are many personal work needsbro be taken care apart from refular office work.
I too worked in those graveyard shift and shifting back to regular day shift is pretty hard. Setting of mind and body takes a lot. Our mind is not a computer that keeps everything in store. To remeber all important thibg we need to have noted everything either in notebook or notepad. And more importantly the execution of each of activity. The best way is to plan early in the morning, how to get everything done.
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Absolutely. I try to start each work day with a planning session that includes completing my to-do list.
Thats the best to go👍 plan and execute👌
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I totally agree with you as I am also someone who writes down everything on paper. I have tried some phone apps but it's just not the same (the best one in my opinion was Trello, that can also be used on computer).
I am using a bullet journal system for about 3 years now , where I have everything, from daily to do's, short term and long term goals, events, birthdays, movies to watch, books to read and all kinds of lists, Steemit ideas and a lot more and I honestly don't know how I would go about my life without it. :)
I may need to transfer over to this method of journal as well. It would be awesome to have everything in one place. I use a blank lined, hardback journal at the moment, but I like the idea you shared.
That would work great for a bullet journal since all you need for it is a blank notebook of any kind and a pen. There is so much information about it online (Youtube, blogs, Pinterest, official website) since this method became very popular.
I hope it will work out great for you, if you decide to try it out! Good luck! :)
I'm with you @papacrusher
The paper way has always worked for me. One problem that I have is that I get out of the habit of making a list of things to do. I end up disorganised and wondering why and then realise that I've stopped and have to kick it all off again. Top of my to do list should be make a to do list! 😁
Cheers, Gaz.
Oh man, isn't this the truth! That is one of my biggest weaknesses is to get out of the habit of making the lists on a daily basis. I definitely can tell that I am much more effective when I have my lists.
howdy sir papacrusher! hey I like the old fashioned way of writing things down also, people don't understand it but if I can keep it in front of me in that physical form then i won't forget it.
but sigilmancy's method is one I've never heard of and that sounds very interesting too!
I just crossed a ton of work items out of my journal yesterday. It was a really fruitful day. Loved your Doc Holliday post btw. He was born not too far south from me.
oh really? Griffin, Georgia? how interesting, that's probably a bustling city now. I love crossing off work items, there is something about that physically marking them off to, that's better than digital! lol.
Griffin is about 20 minutes south of me. It's a medium sized city.
hey papacrusher are you still on third shift for awhile longer? and on your days off, do you sleep during the day and stay up all night when you're on thirds?
I'm back on days as of a couple of days ago. We only have 2 12 hour shifts, days or nights. When I'm on nights the sleeping on my off days vary.
whoa sir papacrusher..your work days consist of just two 12 hour days? so you're considered part time?
I never really made a to do list. Well I did but never stuck to it. But that is probably why everything is so unorganized everywhere. Thanks fo the tips, something I could be starting right away to get back on track :)
I struggle to make it a priority and have to start the process over on a fairly regular basis. My hope is one day it will be second nature, we'll see...lol