Having a to-do list with all the items checked off at the end of the day is a great feeling. However, it might not always be the case. As humans, we tend to seek comfort and pleasure instead of doing hard things. In pursuit of comfort, we put off important tasks. Apart from that, there are some other reasons why you are not able to finish your daily task list. Here are some reasons I found out when I was incapable of finishing my everyday tasks. Hopefully, you can also resonate with these situations.
Overbooking your day
You might be overbooking your days. You are mentally allocating less time for a task than you actually need. Try to have an extra time buffer and shorten your list based on the most important task (80/20 rule).
Lack of Momentum
You are struggling to get momentum throughout the day. Having a morning routine and completing the routine will make you feel accomplished and build momentum to finish your to-do list. Get started with a smaller task and finish it immediately when you get started working in the morning. This feeling of accomplishment from completing a smaller but a bit more challenging task will make you feel good about yourself, and you can roll on for the rest of your day.
Missing To-Do List and Clear Deadline
You do not have a to-do list for the day. I have seen that if I don’t mentally rehearse my task list for the next day, I get done less as I struggle to know which task needs immediate attention. Spend 10 minutes each night to plan your next day. Also, you need to create a deadline for each task. Otherwise, you will spend more time than necessary to finish a task. A deadline always works to make you accountable and focused.
Negative Self-Talk
You are anxious about failure and doubting yourself. There is no other way to stop this other than by jumping into the task. Trust me, I know what self-doubt feels like. But it only slows down the progress. Once you start working on what you are putting off, the doubt will go away. You have been in that position before. But you did complete all those tasks. Look at your past and build confidence to jump on the work you are putting off.
Mental Trauma
You are going through mental trauma or struggle. It is okay to slow down in that case. If you are not mentally fit, your work will slow down. Take time to heal.
Distracted All the Time
You are distracted. Your lack of focus takes more time to finish the task than you anticipated. Focus is the most amazing technique you can learn to lead a successful and purposeful life.
Lack of Motivation
You feel demotivated multiple times throughout the day. Small things can put you off, such as criticism from your colleague, significant other, or parents. In that case, building focus along with prioritizing your work might help. It might take some time to be less reactive to other people’s comments.
Lack of Prioritization Skills
You don’t know how to prioritize. Hence, your pile of work is making you overwhelmed and stressed, which breaks your focus more and more. Take a moment to prioritize your tasks based on urgency and importance using methods like the Eisenhower Matrix. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first, and delegate or defer less critical ones when possible.