You’re a busy person with an exciting life in Hyderabad. And why not, considering the vibrant culture and constant hustle-bustle of the city of Nizams. You’ve got a lot going on with managing your college classes at the University of Hyderabad, getting an internship, thinking about career opportunities, chilling with your roommates in your men’s hostel in Hyderabad and balancing your personal life too. Phew.
No wonder keeping track of your different obligations and deadlines is making you stressed and disorganised. You’re so worried about all of it that you end up feeling tired and unproductive. If that’s what your track record has been looking like in the past few months, you’re in luck. There’s one simple habit that can change all of this for you. And it’s making a to-do list.
Now, this might sound too simple to be true at first but hear us out. Lists are for a lot more than just grocery shopping. And they’re easier to keep up as a habit than journaling or maintaining a planner. They can be as simple and basic as a ballpoint pen on a scrap of paper or much more complex and aesthetically designed with stationary tools. Whichever method works best for you and you’re able to keep up with regularly. Still not convinced? Well, today we’re going to take you through how to make lists on a daily basis and why they’ll amp up your productivity and reduce your stress levels.
How do you make a list?
Ideally, you’ll have a particular place where you put down a to-do list every day. This could be an old notebook or diary, a random newspaper, or even a whiteboard. (If you’ve got absolutely no writing material around you, then go ahead and use your phone). Using the same space every day will build consistency around the habit and help you keep it up. Then on any given day, you use that space to put down your list of tasks ordered either according to priority or deadline.
Your lists do not have to be full of elaborate plans and goals for the month or even the rest of your life. They just need to consist of the tasks that you need to complete on a particular day. This should ideally consist of a balance between work tasks as well as personal items so that you’re a little bit closer to making work-life balance a reality for yourself. Then simply cross them out as you work your way through the list during your day and you’ll be on track when it comes to productivity.
One tip we’ll give you here is to avoid the tendency to include items that you routinely do on your list – like ‘wake up’ or ‘have lunch’ – just so you’re able to cross them out. On the flip side, if you’re a habitual procrastinator, consider putting one item at the top of your list that you’ll definitely be able to complete so that it motivates you to get through the rest of your day.
How will making a list improve your productivity?
Making lists can be a Godsend for increasing your productivity. First of all, the very act of writing down a list of things for the day is productive all on its own. You’re not spending time procrastinating or avoiding your work, you’re chalking out a plan for the day. And that’s a great place to start.
Often one of the main things that affect your productivity comes from your mental state. For example, if you’re living in a couple PG in Hyderabad and find yourself constantly squabbling with your partner about whose turn it was to clean the room, you’re going to end up feeling frustrated and upset. And those negative feelings could end up making you feel distracted or unable to focus.
Well, at times like these, making a list of tasks can actually be a very soothing process. You and your partner can divide up your responsibilities in writing for greater accountability and it’ll put an end to your quarrels. Plus, you’ll have a systematic process to follow which will calm your mind, and at the end, you’ll be able to identify the steps you need to take to finish your work, which in turn will reduce your stress. That’s a win-win!
And most importantly, remember that making a list is exactly like using a bag. If you’ve got ten different items to carry, you don’t try to balance it all on your head, you get a bag to store it in. Similarly, a list is a way for you to put down all the stuff that’s in your mind that you’re at risk of forgetting. By writing them down, you’re freeing up a lot of mental space to think clearly and focus on energy on your tasks. And that’s going to make you a lot more productive. In fact, use this list-making exercise to make your PG-life better. Create lists to equitably divide and manage chores with your roommate. Use a list to plan events, schedules, work requirements and so much more and get down to ticking off tasks together.
So, there you have it. The simple habit of making lists is going to take your productivity to a whole new level. So go ahead, try it out and see the difference for yourself. You’ll soon be able to cross ‘Become super-productive’ off your list!
