How to Achieve Better Results Tomorrow

If you have ever had more tasks than time, this post is for you.  There is a majority of us who try to balance our lives.  We know we need to spend time with our family, time working or studying, exercising, enjoying free time, the list goes on and on.

When one or several of these areas becomes out of balance due to demand, we can feel overwhelmed or out of control.  If you’re like me, feeling overwhelmed usually leads to one of two things: 1) trying to accomplish everything with poor results or 2) focusing on a few key priorities that will really move the needle. 

I had a friend ask me this question when work seemed unmanageable a long time ago, “Are you the bus driver or passenger”?  This question really hit home.  I decided to take control of my responsibilities and prioritize my day. 

The demands of our lives do not control our time.  We control our day and decide where to spend our time.  Prioritize and set boundaries.  Surprisingly, this will also lead to better results professionally and personally.

Here are three ways to take control and achieve the results you deserve.

1. What do you enjoy?  Discover what tasks give you energy and what tasks take energy from you during the day.  Then make a list.  Double down on the activities that give you energy and try to eliminate or delegate the other tasks that take energy away from your day.
2. What are your priorities?  End your day with a list of items you professionally need to accomplish tomorrow.  I recommend you narrow this down to three priorities.  Next create a list of items you personally need to accomplish tomorrow.  Again, I recommend you narrow this down to three key priority items.
3. What would you like to accomplish next?  Once you have priorities outlined for the next day, you should write out three professional and personal items that you would like to accomplish.  If you can complete them before they become urgent, you are now ahead of your priority list for the following days.

You can control what tasks or responsibilities you accept, how you accomplish those tasks, when you complete those tasks and how you create your schedule.  You have the freedom to choose your priorities.  Are you going to focus on tasks that you enjoy and prioritize your tomorrow today?