A Time Management Hack to Beat Pandemic Blues

Many of the time-management techniques that have been used for decades are not going to work in this setting. We need a way to prioritize and triage, not to categorize and identify every to-do.

Instead of worrying about each item on your to-do lists, ask yourself this simple question: *“What three activities must I complete today to make this day feel successful?” These items are very different from your to-do lists. A standard to-do listing is a comprehensive list of all activities we should complete. It is impossible to finish 30-50 tasks in one workday.

66% of people check email daily, but only 34% plan their day. It is common to reach for your phone at night and check messages. People are more productive if they don’t check their messages but instead make a plan for the day and grab a cup of coffee. This research shows that checking your email first thing in the morning increases your chances of wasting over half of your work time.

This simple technique is so effective because it forces you to create a plan for your day. As a result, you are taking charge of your priorities and exercising proactive control over your day.