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Friday, January 3, 2014

2014 Resolution: Tame Your To-Do List | Connected Principals

2014 Resolution: Tame Your To-Do List | Connected Principals:

2014 Resolution: Tame Your To-Do List


To Do List 2To Do ListTo Do List 3
If you are passionate about what you do all day everyday with and for kids, it is easy to feel constant pressure and stress; however, now feels different.  Today’s external demands and expectations can feel importunate, at times.  It can be easy to feel overwhelmed as your to-do list grows while you’re continually sidetracked by unexpected demands for your attention.  If this describes you or someone you know, perhaps the following suggestion may help: accomplish more, better, by minimizing your to-do list.
Look at your to-do list and ask, “What are the things on here that can only be accomplished by me?”  That becomes your to-do list, and everything else gets delegated.  You know who can handle what.  When those tasks are delegated appropriately, they will be done promptly and efficiently.  You may even find they’re done better than you would have done them–especially if you believe enthusiastic buy-in and positive reception by the people they’re intended for are important.
You may also find a growing number of people who are capable and want to be delegated to.  You are surrounded by people that want to help (and want to help you!).  Whether they’re kids or adults, the people around you want to help, learn, contribute, and be an active part of the good things happening.  So let them.  As others see this opportunity, they, too, will become willing and active contributors you can confidently delegate to.
Now, you not only have more time to dedicate to the “only me” tasks, but can do so with less hanging over your head.  Your new to-do list is limited to only these tasks.  You may find it to be just a handful of big “only me” tasks, which you now have more time to offer your attention.  And who knows, with more time to dedicate to accomplishing and reflecting