As a manager one of the best tools you can use is a to-do list. A list of any task, objectives and goals you need to prioritize and complete. They help keep your management tasks organized and on track.
Humans are visual creatures so it is not surprising that we use so many visual tools to communicate with. One of the best visual tools in your office is a dry erase whiteboard. Since it is large and visual it makes a great place to put your to-do list.
If you are often overwhelmed by the amount of tasks, objectives and goals you have to complete, deadlines or other important items that you need to remember a to-do list can help you put it all together. If you do not use one learn how to get started using to-do lists to prioritize your management tasks, objectives and goals.
Whiteboard Monday
Every Monday you can get your week off to a good start by writing every task, objective and goal for the week on your whiteboard. I use a column taking up one-third of my whiteboard for this purpose. The top third is for goals since they are usually smaller and the bottom two-thirds are for task and objectives.
To help you better visualize and prioritize use different colors for emphasis. For instance use red for high priority and blue for everything else. You can also use numbers or symbols to prioritize.
During the week check off each task, objective or goal as they are completed. You can use a pocket list to add any new additions during the day. All through the week you will find your eyes drifting to the board which makes it such a great tool. It is large and hard to ignore.
If you do not have a whiteboard ask for one or buy it yourself. It is one of the best investments you can make for your office. A standard office size is four-foot by three-foot. Six foot by four-foot is nice. Eight foot by four-foot is even better! I like them big so I have more room for other uses.
Other good uses for your whiteboard include:
- Short-term goals
- Long-term goals
- Mind mapping
- Brainstorming
- Project planning
- Important reminders
- A visual aid for conversations
- Quick notes and reminders
Regardless of what media you use you can learn how to get things done with smarter to-do lists so they are more usable and efficient.
Whiteboard Friday
It’s Friday, the end of a hard week and your mind is already drifting into the weekend. Before you drift away take a few minutes to check your whiteboard and write down anything you need to remember next week.
I always leave a section blank for quick use. On Friday I use this section to write down all the things I want to remember the next week.
On Monday I clear off my completed goals, objectives and tasks and start my new list adding in anything I wrote on Friday that is a task, objective or goal for the new week. If you have an important email you need to follow-up on Monday learn how to convert an email into an Outlook task so you don’t forget.
Take Away
If you are a busy manager with a lot of tasks, objectives and goals to keep track of a to-do list will help keep them organized. A great way to start of your week is to write all of your tasks, objectives and goals you need to prioritize and complete for the week on your whiteboard every Monday. It is a large visual reminder that is impossible to ignore.
During the week check off items as they are completed and add new ones. Since it is large and visual you will find your eyes drifting towards it many times during the day. This is why a whiteboard works so well at keeping your tasks, objectives and goals on your mind.
If you are not a Monday morning person learn 10 ways to motivate your mind on Monday.