If your to-do list sometimes feels out of control, you’re not alone.

I love to use a simple strategy to keep my to-do list narrowed down and focused on the most critical tasks so that it’s not overwhelming.  I arrange my list into four categories…

 do it, delay it, delegate it, or delete it.

Over these next three weeks, I’m going to specifically talk about delaying, delegating, and deleting because this is one of the things I get asked about most.

Your to-do list doesn’t have to be scary. It can feel doable and organized if you coach yourself with the right questions. 

When it comes to deleting items on your list, I call it creating your “not-to-do list.”

To know what tasks to put on your “not-to-do list” ask these three questions…

1. Is this item meaningful?
We often have things on our list that may have been meaningful at a different time, but are no longer important. Maybe it was meaningful last week, maybe it was meaningful a year ago, but if it isn’t meaningful right now, it’s time to delete it.

2. Is it necessary?
Sometimes we can become perfectionists when it comes to our to-do list. We can go over the top with adding things to our list even if we don’t actually have a true need or the time to do it. If it’s not truly necessary, give yourself permission to simply cross it off the list.

3. Does it need to happen now?
We have things on our list that we eventually want to get done, but we don’t have to get them done right now. That means you can delete it from your list. 

Run your to-do list through this filter every time you start to feel stressed about by what you’ve got on your plate. 

Asking the right questions and self-coaching is a great tool for resilience, leadership, and personal growth. If you’ve ever thought of developing those skills or even becoming a coach, check out the Coach Training Intensive happening online June 11-13. 

Learn more and register at cappinstitute.com/cti. 

Coach Yourself

Look at your to-do list and ask these questions: 

Is this item meaningful? 

Is it necessary? 

Does it need to happen now?