A messy notepad full of scrawled reminders or a thick border of sticky notes on your computer monitor might not be doing you very many favors. Your to-do list shouldn't be a place where tasks go to get lost — it's supposed to help you get things done.
If you want to really tackle that list, try not to add things if you don't really have to. For small tasks that only takes a few minutes, complete them right away and keep them off the list.
Next, try to automate what you can. Is it your job to remind everyone to submit their expenses every month? Set up a recurring monthly email message to do it for you, so you can direct your energy elsewhere.
When you add items to your list, think smaller. Break large tasks into small chunks — for example, "get quotes for new carpet" instead of "renovate the office." This makes big jobs feel more doable and helps keep you on track.
Prioritize your tasks as high, medium, or low priority. Assign deadlines to keep you on target. If you aren't sure what to prioritize, consult with a supervisor and think about why the task needs to be done.
Lastly, don't be afraid to lean on your calendar to help you get things done. Block out time for important tasks and set reminders as needed. Use recurring blocks for tasks that occur every day, week, or month.
