In (busy) times of endless to-do lists and online availability around the clock, it's easy to feel frustrated and overwhelmed, as if nothing would ever get done and, no matter the hours and the effort, you would always be back right where you started. Or even nowhere near that starting line.
And yet, this is far from the truth. It's just a matter of perception: We will never be done with every single item on our lists because our lists are constantly evolving, changing, and adapting based on our goals, commitments, needs, and priorities.
Trying to tick each and every item off our daily lists is just as elusive as trying to hit an invisible moving target. But why should we even try to be "done" once and for all? Is it even possible?
[You can think big for this one... or go for something minimal
and yet useful and dearly important to you]
I prefer the concept of the "most essential task" instead: Each day, at least the most essential task for the day has to be accomplished for me to feel at peace.
It can be something very urgent and important, it can be a bureaucratic task with a tight deadline, it can be a phone call, writing a text message, sending that one pivotal e-mail at the office, or even just buying your usual toothpaste because it's the only one that truly works for you.
You can manage up to twenty tasks on top of the most essential task for the day? Great for you. You can manage only three tasks on top of the most essential one for the day? Also great.
As long as, once a day, you focus on ticking one item off your list that can truly make a difference for you, your life, your health, your relationships, or your career, you should be proud of yourself. And be willing to cut yourself some slack in other areas.
Tomorrow's another day, and you will have a chance for yet another most essential task of your day to be tackled. Also to be noted: The emphasis goes on "your". It has to be a task that is important and meaningful to you.
"What's your most essential task for today?"
Tags: Coaching question, Self-coaching, Self-awareness, Self-reflection, Time management, Setting priorities, The most important task for today
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