We’ve all been there—staring at an endless to-do list, feeling paralyzed before we even start. The sheer number of tasks, the unfinished projects, the nagging feeling that we’re always behind.
Why does a simple list of things to do feel so heavy?
Well, there's science behind how you feel, and understanding it can help you regain control.
Overloading your brain Your brain can only handle so much at once and when we overload it, our ability to make decisions and solve problems tanks. A huge to-do list can flood your brain's cognitive system, making it hard to prioritize or even start.
We focus on the "unfinished" - Our brains will fixate on incomplete tasks, so an overloaded list can create constant mental stress.
Decision Fatigue The more choices we have to make, the harder each decision becomes. A long to-do list forces you to decide what to tackle first, but if everything feels urgent, you might end up doing nothing at all.
How to Make Your To-Do List Work for You
Here are 3 ways you can take control of your to-do list:
Prioritize Prioritizing the things that are the most immediate, important or most urgent as a way to stay focused and prevent decision fatigue.
Break It Down Break down large tasks into smaller, actionable steps.
Limit Your Daily List Choose 3-4 things maximum that you are going to focus on each day. That's all your brain can handle and it will be easier to celebrate the wins when you check something off instead of feeling paralyzed by an overwhelmingly long list.
Is there one small thing you can check off your list right now? Start there!
Want more practical tools and step-by-step tips?
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Hi, I'm Alison and welcome to the blog.
I have been a speaker and trainer for 20 years. I offer Mental Health First Aid in Canada and work with workplaces to improve mental wellbeing and psychological safety and reduce stress and burnout.
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