Chunk, Prioritize, Schedule: 3 Steps to Spring CLean your To-Do List

Written By Rachel Gryniewicz, MA, MATL
 
 

Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and all talk surrounds the spring refresh. Spring cleaning can feel overwhelming. It is not just time to declutter and shake the winter blues but reorganize your approach to the season. It is an opportunity to use new tools, dig into the weeds, and plant the seeds of success. With a plan firmly in the ground, productivity is not far behind.

Lists might seem like an obvious life hack. I’ll just write it down, and it will get done, right? Lists are great and they are necessary, particularly for our working memory, but they are just the start. A list without a plan is just a reminder of what needs to be done.

Here are some tips to revamp your list and spring into action!

  1. CHUNK - After you’ve completed your list, identify the larger tasks that might need to be broken down into smaller steps. For example, “plan a summer trip” is a large task which is going to take several steps to complete. Spend some time breaking it down into subtasks: research destinations, finalize dates, book flights, etc. You might not have time to tackle the whole project, but completing one step will help you get closer.

  2. PRIORITIZE - Not everything on the list needs to be done today or even tomorrow. First, highlight the tasks which are urgent and block some time to do those first. From the remaining tasks, determine what you can potentially delegate and what you can potentially cross off.

  3. SCHEDULE - Next, schedule the tasks on your calendar, blocking some time to complete them. Be sure to build in some buffer. Think a task will only take 15 minutes? Plan for 30. Scheduling the tasks on your calendar as if they were appointments not only serves as a reminder but helps you have a better plan of how you will manage your time day to day. This cuts down on decision making and figuring out in the moment what you can work on. Without a plan, it is much easier to delay.

    It's time to hop to it! Refresh your mindset and approach to tackling this Spring’s projects. Creating a list is just step one. Organizing the list and planning when you are going to complete each task not only helps with task initiation but also accountability. Let’s spring forward with a list and a plan!

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Rachel Gryniewicz, MA, MATL

Rachel brings over a decade of experience in instructional coaching, curriculum development, and the design and implementation of student focused workshops and programs. She specializes in working with students in the areas of organization, time management, study strategies, and other crucial executive function skills. Her interests in developing leadership and advocacy skills in adolescents enrich her coaching sessions empowering her clients to be more assertive and confident. As a former high school teacher and college lecturer, Rachel understands the skills required to be successful at both levels and helps students prepare for their transition to college, including teaching and reinforcing strategies around planning ahead and breaking down large tasks. Rachel has also curated several professional development opportunities for educators centered on Executive Function skills such as resiliency and flexible thinking. 

A member of the Life Solved team since 2017, Rachel has recently entered a full-time position coordinating the client onboarding experience and ensuring a successful coaching engagement for coach and client. She continues to work with students of different ages and backgrounds as well as adult clients. Her positive energy and passion for helping others find success is evident in the work she does with her clients.

Rachel has a Masters in Teacher Leadership from Mount Holyoke College as well as a  Masters in Classics from the University of Maryland, College Park.  She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classics and Art History from Mount Holyoke College.

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