One of the most common questions I get asked is “Rachael, how do I decide what to work on first?!”

Over the years I have learned, tried, and attempted so many methods for creating productive lists, and I have come up with a system that works really well for staying on track on getting shiz done.

→ This blog post will help walk you through how to implement my proven method so you can start to actually check things off your list and be more productive!

Okay great, so you’ve read the post, made your to-do list and now you need to actually, well, start.

But the question is, where? How do you decide what tasks to put first?

Where To Start

It’s really important to understand that a to-do list’s only goal is to help you stay focused and get things done.

If it’s doing anything else (like fueling your overwhelm, or making you feel like there is too much to do), you might not be prioritizing your tasks in the best way.

But don’t panic!

This is an easy habit to shift and start changing how you structure your day so you can get more done, in the most efficient way possible. It all comes down to knowing where to start…

Keep Others In Mind

The most important place to start: if someone needs you or is waiting on something, this takes precedence. Why?

Imagine you’re waiting on something from someone, and you can’t get started until you hear back from them. So you spend the first 3 hours of your day just kinda in limbo, waiting.

Not great, right?

But it’s not just the other person’s time you want to respect, it’s yours too. The sooner you check these tasks off, the sooner you can focus on your own projects without any 3rd party interruptions.

So first thing: reply back to waiting emails, review and move projects down their pipeline, and check in with your team on anything else they might need from you, first.

Time Sensitive Priorities

The next most important step: anything time sensitive.

This can go hand in hand if someone is waiting on you directly for a response or approval on something.

But it could also be an independent due date you need to prioritize. An application deadline, a business you need to contact is closed Fridays and you’re approaching the weekend, etc.

Getting these things done first will allow you not to worry about looming deadlines.

You’ll be able to focus on bigger projects without getting interrupted and change direction mid-creative block (you know, when the coffee kicks in and you’re just on a roll? Yeah we want to avoid those interruptions!)

Yesterday’s Tasks

Okay, so yesterday you got caught up something that took longer than expected, or perhaps you took the afternoon off to be with family.

Sometimes we just don’t cross everything off our action-list in one day, and that’s okay!

The important thing here is to know what to do with these tasks so they don’t get delayed or lost in list limbo (phew, say that 10x fast….lost in list limbo….lost in list limbo…)

If you didn’t accomplish something on your list yesterday, the time to do it is now.

Perhaps you were too late to make a phone call, and the other person was already offline. Or maybe it was a bigger project you didn’t have enough time to complete before picking up the kiddos.

This item needs your attention first, before any new tasks for the day. Schedule the appropriate time to get it done early.

Which leads us to our final important step…

Do The Biggest Thing, First

Starting with the biggest/hardest thing first gives you the opportunity to dive in and feel productive in your day right away.

If we start with the easiest things first, it can feel like we are being productive, but this isn’t always the best way to get bigger projects done.

Inevitably what ends up happening is you get to the end of your day and you’re tired. Now the last thing on your list is the hardest thing to work on, and you don’t have the energy to do it. Or you’re simply out of time!

So this project gets pushed to the next day, and the next day, and the next day…

Until suddenly you realize it’s been a few weeks (or months) and you still haven’t made a dent in accomplishing this goal.

Instead, eat the frog. Start with the hardest thing first and just get it out of the way. You will feel so productive, and everything after that will feel much easier in comparison.

And that’s it! Now you’re a total to-do list PRO!