Do you have a to-do list that never seems to end? Do you feel like you’re always busy but not making much progress on your most important projects? Do you want to be more strategic and intentional with your time and energy?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone. Many professionals struggle with prioritizing their tasks and aligning them with their long-term vision. They get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of the bigger picture. I once read about Elon Musk using a 15-minute to-do list in his activity, but frankly, I don’t think there are many people capable of using something like that without getting at least burned out.
But there’s a better way to manage your work and life. A way that helps you focus on what matters most and achieve your long-term goals. A way that helps you think strategically and creatively every day.
In this blog post, I’ll share with you two simple frameworks that can help you transform your to-do list into a to-focus list and a to-be list. These frameworks will help you clarify your direction, prioritize your actions, and measure your progress. They will also help you enjoy the journey and celebrate your achievements.
Let’s get started.
What is a to-focus list and why do you need one?
A to-focus list is a list of outcomes that you want to achieve in a specific time frame. It could be 90 days, one year, or three to five years. It’s different from a to-do list, which is a list of tasks that you need to complete.
A to-focus list helps you see the bigger picture of where you want your life to go. It helps you identify the most important and impactful projects that will move you closer to your vision. It also helps you avoid getting distracted by trivial and urgent tasks that don’t contribute to your long-term goals.
For example, let’s say you’re a manager who wants to improve his leadership skills. Your to-focus list for the next 90 days could look something like this:
– Successfully onboard your new employees and help them operate smoothly without your help.
– Get promoted to a senior manager position and take on more responsibilities.
– Attend a leadership training course and apply the learnings to your work.
– Mentor a junior colleague and help them grow their skills and confidence.
These are the outcomes that you want to achieve in the next 90 days. They are specific, measurable, and relevant to your long-term vision. They are also challenging enough to stretch you and motivate you.
To create your to-focus list, you can ask yourself these questions:
– What are the most important and impactful projects that I want to work on in the next 90 days, one year, or three to five years?
– How will these projects help me achieve my long-term vision and goals?
– How will I measure my progress and success on these projects?
Once you have your to-focus list, you can use it to guide your daily and weekly planning. You can break down each outcome into smaller and actionable steps and schedule them on your calendar. You can also review your to-focus list regularly and adjust it as needed.
What is a to-be list and why do you need one?
A to-be list is a list of qualities that you want to embody in your work and life. It could be related to your values, your identity, or your aspirations. It’s different from a to-do list, which is a list of actions that you want to take.
A to-be list helps you think about who you want to be in the world and how you want to show up. It helps you align your behavior and attitude with your desired state of being. It also helps you cultivate positive habits and mindsets that support your growth and happiness.
For example, let’s say you’re a manager who wants to improve your leadership skills. Your to-be list could look something like this:
– Be a loving partner and parent and spend quality time with your family.
– Be a visionary leader and stay on top of the latest trends and innovations in your field.
– Be a helpful colleague and support your team members and peers with their challenges and goals.
– Be a lifelong learner and invest in your personal and professional development.
These are the qualities that you want to embody in your work and life. They are aspirational, inspirational, and meaningful to you. They are also flexible enough to adapt to different situations and contexts.
To create your to-be list, you can ask yourself these questions:
– What are the values that I want to live by in my work and life?
– What are the roles that I want to play in my work and life?
– What are the habits and mindsets that I want to develop and practice in my work and life?
Once you have your to-be list, you can use it to inspire your daily and weekly actions. You can choose one or two qualities to focus on each day and think of ways to express them in your work and life. You can also review your to-be list regularly and celebrate your achievements.
How to think strategically and achieve your long-term goals
To-do lists are useful tools to manage your tasks and get things done. But they are not enough to help you think strategically and achieve your long-term goals. You need to go beyond to-do lists and create to-focus lists and to-be lists.
To-focus lists help you see the bigger picture of where you want your life to go and prioritize the most important and impactful projects that will get you there. To-be lists help you think about who you want to be in the world and how you want to show up and align your behavior and attitude with your desired state of being.
By creating and using these two frameworks, you can transform your work and life from a series of random and reactive tasks to a purposeful and proactive journey. You can also enjoy the process and celebrate your progress along the way.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab a pen and paper and start creating your to-focus list and your to-be list today. And don’t forget to share them with me in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you and cheer you on.
Credits: Dorie Clark, Marissa Fayer
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Ink And Reason 