My life lesson to recent graduates
Here’s something I wish I started doing early on in my life. Yes, it’s something I do every day and can definitely improve your life, make you more money, and separate you from the others at your job.
This is my life advice for all you recent graduates that are about to set out on your career path.
It’s called the Five Essential Tasks.
Basically, I carry with me a little notebook with a pen attached. In this notebook, I write down 5 things I have to do for the day. As I do those things, I cross that item off my list.
Sounds tedious, right?
Wrong.
One of the first things you’ll deal with when starting a new job is juggling all your new tasks. I know, for me, the longer I work at a job, the more responsibilities they dump on me. One person leaves, then instead of hiring a new person, they divide that previous employee’s jobs up and parse them out to other employees.
It’ll get to a point where things seem overwhelming.
Feeling overwhelmed in life and at your job can really put a damper on your creativity and well-being. It’ll put your down in the dumps pretty damn quick.
So, I started making a list.
Why?
Because when you make lists you compartmentalize things. You’ll see which tasks are more important than others. You divide things up instead of feeling like you have to do everything at once. And crossing those things off your list as you go through your day feels great.
I don’t know about you, but when I get home at the end of the day and I don’t accomplish anything, I feel like shit. Making a Five Essential Tasks list and completing that lists makes me feel way better.
By setting clear goals for yourself each day, you can increase your productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve your overall sense of well-being.
Here are some of the ways in which keeping a daily list of 5 essential to-do items can benefit you:
Increased Productivity: When you have a clear list of tasks that you need to accomplish each day, you are more likely to stay focused and on-task. You can break down larger projects into smaller, more manageable tasks, and prioritize your time and energy accordingly. This can help you make steady progress towards your goals, and feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: When you have a lot of tasks and responsibilities on your plate, it can be overwhelming and stressful to keep track of everything. By prioritizing your most important tasks and focusing on them one at a time, you can reduce the sense of overwhelming anxiety that can come with a long to-do list. You may find that you feel more in control of your schedule and your life, which can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety.
Improved Time Management: When you have a clear list of tasks to accomplish each day, you can be more intentional with your time. You can identify the tasks that are most important or urgent, and allocate your time accordingly. This can help you make the most of your available time, and avoid wasting time on unimportant or low-priority tasks.
Increased Motivation: When you have a clear list of tasks to accomplish each day, you can stay motivated by seeing the progress you are making towards your goals. You can track your accomplishments and celebrate your successes, which can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.
Improved Overall Well-Being: By reducing stress and anxiety, improving time management, and increasing productivity and motivation, keeping a daily list of 5 essential to-do items can improve your overall sense of well-being. You may find that you feel more in control of your life, more confident in your abilities, and more satisfied with your accomplishments.
So, here’s the video of where I got this from and I’ve been sticking to it ever since.