Written by:
MADYSEN KOUBA, PT, DPT
Madysen can be reached at madysen@apexptwellness.com
With the first day of school just around the corner, life can get crazy. Maybe you’re a list-maker like me, or maybe you just fly by the seat of your pants trying to remember all the things you need to get done during the day.
Whatever your style, here are 5 tips on how to manage your to-do list or encourage you to start making one:
Write it down ASAP
We’ve all done it – telling ourselves not to forget something and then promptly forgetting it as soon as our mind focuses on something else. If you think of something that is important, whether it be something you need to do today or next week, write it down as soon as you think of it. Whether it be typed on your Notes app in your phone or written on an old napkin in your car, put it somewhere you will see it and remember it! (Then transfer it to a nicer list to organize your tasks better).
Separate your Lists
If you are a part of multiple activities or your kids are in every single extracurricular known to man, then making separate lists for different activities is a must. Some examples include:
- Household Chores
- Errands to Run
- Kids’ Activities (you could even make 1 list for each kid)
- Appointments
This way, you can keep your tasks apart from one another and keep your lists a little more manageable.
Prioritize
Some things on our to-do lists are more important than others. By prioritizing your list by tasks that “must be done”, “should be done”, and “can wait” will help you decide what you should tackle first and what you might be able to put off until your main items are finished. If there are specific deadlines/due date, you can write those down too.
Use a shared calendar or app
If you have too many things to keep track (activities, errands, and kids), then making a shared calendar with your spouse, family, or friends will be a lifesaver when it comes to delegating the tasks on your to-do list. There are also multiple apps out there that can help organize your life and share it with others as well! My favorite apps are Quire and Microsoft To-Do – and bonus, they’re both free!
Don’t Beat Yourself Up
Those of us who are big-time to-do list makers can sometimes beat ourselves up if we don’t get every box checked off for the day. Give yourself some grace and add it to your to-do list tomorrow! Nobody is perfect, but we can help ourselves by being organized and taking things one step at a time.
We hear time and time again to take care of our physical health, but it is just as important to address our mental health! Making to-do lists and calendars is a great way to decrease stress and increase day-to-day productivity. When our bodies and minds feel their best, it helps improve our overall well-being. One way to feel good is to add movement to our daily routine. Going for walks, doing 10 minutes of stretching, or adding a trip to your local physical therapist to your to-do list might do you some good.
Physical therapy is a great way to help jump-start your journey to improved mental and physical health. So, enjoy the rest of the sunny days this summer and get a jump start on your productivity. Your brain and body will thank you for it.
We are a private practice outpatient physical therapy clinic offer high quality care with a personal touch. We believe that every patient should receive the quality care needed to help them prevent or rehabilitate their injuries or illnesses.
