We like to think that our to-do lists are beneficial. If anything, they’ve been peddled as the key to efficiency, highlighting our most important tasks and providing a dopamine rush every time we give ourselves a little check. But that one little list could actually be driving you even crazier.
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Beware Anticipatory Stress
You’ve experienced it a thousand times before: the dread of lying in bed and thinking about everything you have to do. To-do lists don’t necessarily make that stress any easier. Sure, they keep you more organized, but they also highlight an undying list of mundane tasks that only exacerbate headaches.
Studies show that anticipatory stress negatively affects our well-being. The more your mind spirals, the less in control you feel, and that to-do list can sometimes haunt your thoughts and prevent future benefits—like a sense of accomplishment.
What Are You Prioritizing?
The trouble with some to-do lists is that we give ourselves a gold star for everything. It might feel good in the moment, but slapping every little thing on a notepad only detracts from your real goals. Not only that, but a lot of people tend to focus on the easiest tasks first, leaving the bigger (and oftentimes, more important) ones unfinished. Trust us, you won’t feel any better about your work project just because you sent an email.
Productivity vs. Busyness
It’s easy to assume that productivity and busyness go hand-in-hand, but the reality is that they’re not mutually exclusive. Productivity comes with a slew of benefits, like better time management, less stress, and a sense of accomplishment. Busyness, on the other hand, is a slippery slope leading to chronic stress (and therefore burnout), potential problems with relationships, and even decreased productivity.
To-do lists are meant to keep you on track. When you use them to run around instead, you only prioritize insignificant errands, leaving everything else by the wayside. You also encourage every task to hold equal weight, and pretty soon, it’ll feel like you’re too overwhelmed to get anything done.
How To Fix It
First and foremost, be honest with yourself. What tasks actually deserve your attention and which ones can wait until the end of the day? Break your lists into categories: the most important stuff goes up top, and the others float to the bottom. It sounds like common sense in theory, but it’s hardly common practice.
Next, set realistic goals. You’re not going to complete a big project in one day—nor should you! It’s all about focusing on what you can realistically handle, not overstuffing your to-do list; it should reflect what you’re capable of, not mimic a fantasy schedule you wish you could keep up with.
Lastly, a big part of to-do lists is the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done. Don’t deny yourself that pleasure. By focusing on the big tasks, you’ll reward yourself with a greater dopamine rush in the end. Think of it like delayed gratification, which is the best kind there is!
You’re not the first person to get overwhelmed with their to-do list, and you won’t be the last. But you might just become someone who can actually scratch everything off their list and actually feel good doing it.
