1. Identify the need

Just take a deep breath and skim through the list, trying to identify the most important and impactful task. Once you have done that, highlight the task and if you are visualizing the list, take a mental note. This is the task you need to work on first today, and the rest can wait, but not for very long.

Now you know the one task for the day that is the most important and you need to get started with it. But also take into account that things do not happen as we plan and there are other factors around us which can divert our focus from that task. When that happens, try to identify if those urgent tasks can wait for 1 or 2 hours or not? If the answer is yes, go back to that one task and get started with it. But if the answer is no, get started with the urgent task and that one task is your next task at any cost. If you have promised to be productive to yourself, that one task needs some of your time today.

2. Plan around smaller tasks

There might be so many other smaller tasks on your list. Don’t think of starting with them just so that you can get more things done, but plan them with that one important task. These smaller tasks need to be accomplished, but they might not require intense focus and much of your time. You can use those tasks as breaks and slot them in between your major tasks. Make sure you have extended sessions with the main tasks and reset your flow with these small tasks in between. this will help you finish all your tasks with a fresher mind.

3. Move on

If you are stuck and feel like things are not progressing the way you wanted, just take a break and get away from the problem. You can use this time to just discuss the problem with others around you or a walk around the park or even getting started with other tasks on the list.

4. Come back

After that break come back to the problem in a few hours, you will most likely have a fresher perspective on the problem. It is not necessary that you finish the task, but now you understand the task better and maybe even things that will not work, which you were thinking might work while planning.