Whittle Down Your To-Do-List

Want to whittle down your to-do-list? Make the most of your time and energy by approaching your items in a smart way. Below are six helpful tips. Use them and spend less time doing errands and making phone calls.

1- Double dip tasks

Whenever possible, do more than one task at a time. For example, as you wait to see your doctor, balance your check book. While you're sitting in traffic, call your insurance company and ask questions about your latest bill. Try to multi-task as much as possible in order to maximize your time.

2- Reorder your list.

A quick way to whittle down your to-do-list is to streamline your items. Put simple tasks at the top and difficult ones at the bottom. As you complete each, your momentum will build. Before you know it, you will have completed everything on your list.

3- Reassess your role.

Reevaluate your to-do-list and make sure everything on it is your responsibility. If most of your items are favors for others, cut a few of them out. Apologize to the person and explain that your current schedule is tight. Most people will understand that you're busy with your own life.

4- Delegate small items.

Get support for simple, easy tasks from your family. Whittle down your to-do-list by delegating work to them. If your mother has to pass by the cleaners each day, she probably won't mind picking up your dry cleaning every once in a while. Ask her for help and then show your gratitude by helping her out on another day.

5- Trade off with a friend.

Is your best friend an excellent cook and you a top-notch cleaner? Trade off. Clean up a specific area of your pal's house in exchange for a home cooked meal. Since you both excel in different areas, it won't feel as much like work and you'll get the jobs done more proficiently.

6- Pay someone else to help.

Whittle down your to-do-list by paying a professional to do the work. Go this route for items that are long, arduous and out of your league. So, if you plan on fixing a leaky toilet, but can't tell a wrench from a screwdriver, call a plumber. The money you spend will be well worth his expertise.

Use these six tips and stay on top of your to-do-list. Don't let the frustration you feel when you look at a long list of tasks keep you from completing them.