How to handle your never-ending 'to-do' list.

Have you heard of the Eisenhower Matrix? 

I had never heard of it, then heard all about it at two different events in one week. 

To summarise, this Matrix helps you to prioritise what is important to you. 

US President Dwight D Eisenhower first developed it to improve productivity, and it was further refined into a simple tool by Steven Covey (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People). 

The Matrix is a way of thinking about your daily tasks in relation to your longer-term goals to maximise what you achieve. 

It is made up of four quadrants: 

-       Urgent and important tasks/projects to be completed immediately 

-       Not urgent and important tasks/projects to be put on your calendar 

-       Urgent and unimportant tasks/projects to be delegated to someone else 

-       Not urgent and unimportant tasks/projects to be deleted 

I have found thinking about the last two quadrants, in particular, to be very helpful. 

As a mum, I have become a multi-tasking ninja capable of getting A LOT done week-to-week. 

But I also need to make sure I am taking care of myself, and all that is important to me, including my family. 

I need to stay focused on where I can get help with my workload by delegating some tasks. 

We recently got guinea pigs, to the delight of my children, but caring for them was just one task I could not add to my workload. 

So my husband has done everything that is needed for them – setting up their cages/hutches, buying food, bringing them in at night, cleaning their cages, buying their food. 

I haven't had to think about them at all and have enjoyed watching my kids with them. 

My husband and I have been very good at sharing our family workload and supporting each other where possible. 

I also need to be realistic about what I should take on and remove tasks where possible. 

Not signing on for too many kids' extra-curricular activities, buying some pre-made meals and organising a doable amount of play dates and catch-ups are just some examples that have helped. 

You should also consider this and ensure you are looking after yourself. 

Don't just keep ploughing through a never-ending to-do list. 

Take the pressure off where you can, especially by delegating and deleting.