Some people love to-do lists.
I am not one of those people.

When faced with a long list of tasks, I freeze. I find it difficult to prioritize, and the overwhelming number of things to accomplish leaves me stuck. Yet, like all of us, I live in a world where work—both professional and personal—has to get done.

Over the past year, I’ve been on a journey to improve my productivity, learning practical strategies to tackle the chaos of daily life. Today, I want to share the four methods that have helped me most in 2024.

Let’s dive in!

1. Set Priorities with Precision

The first question I ask myself every day is:
“What absolutely has to happen today that no one else can do?”

For me, this might look like homeschooling my kids or preparing for a client meeting. These are the non-negotiables.

Next, I assess what can be delegated. For example, does the laundry have to be done today? If the answer is yes, do I have to do it? My husband or kids might be able to step in, freeing up my time for higher-priority tasks.

Finally, I give myself permission to push non-urgent tasks to another day. While it can be tempting to tackle things I enjoy—like brainstorming new ideas for my business—I remind myself that priorities are about what matters most right now.

Takeaway: Not everything needs your attention. Focus on what only you can do, delegate what others can handle, and let the rest wait.

2. Maintain Your Priorities by Avoiding Email First Thing

Here’s my most controversial advice: Don’t check your email in the morning.

Instead, use the first 1-2 hours of your day to focus on the priorities you’ve set. Why? Because opening your inbox immediately exposes you to other people’s priorities. Suddenly, their needs feel like emergencies, and your carefully planned day is derailed.

If an issue is truly urgent, people can call or text you. Otherwise, your email can wait.

Pro Tip: Start with an hour and work your way up. If you can avoid email until lunch, even better!

This practice has been transformative for me. By delaying my email, I stay in control of my schedule and equip others to solve smaller problems on their own.

3. Tackle Small Tasks with the Two-Minute Rule

When you finally check your email (or face any other task), ask yourself:
“Can I handle this in two minutes or less?”

If yes, do it immediately. This could mean replying to an email, taking out the trash, or scheduling a meeting. These quick wins keep small tasks from piling up while leaving space for your larger priorities.

If a task will take longer, schedule it for later in the day or week. The key is to keep your to-do list manageable by knocking out the easy wins as they come.

4. Be At Time Pessimist To Honor Your Priorities

One lesson I’ve learned is that you must be a pessimist about your time to honor your priorities. As an optimist, I often tell myself a task will only take 15 minutes, only to realize it takes much longer. By underestimating time, I shortchange my priorities, show up late, or scramble to meet deadlines.

The fix? Build in more time than you think you need. Overestimate how long tasks will take, plan for delays, and give your commitments the space they deserve. This approach helps you stay reliable, prepared, and ahead of schedule—without the stress of last-minute crunches.

You Can Be Productive—Even When Life Is Full

This past year has been one of the busiest of my life. Between homeschooling my kids, supporting my husband in his new job, growing my coaching business, and building community after a cross-country move, my to-do list has felt never-ending.

But by prioritizing wisely, maintaining focus, and embracing strategies that align with my strengths, I’ve found a rhythm that works. And you can too.

Ready to take control of your productivity? Start with these four tips:

1. Set clear priorities.
2. Delay email distractions.
3. Use the two-minute rule.
4. Be a time pessimist.

With these tools, you’ll be able to juggle life’s demands and still walk away each day feeling accomplished and energized.

Here’s to a productive year ahead!

Looking for more leadership tips? Check out my podcast, The Culture Keepers Podcast, where we explore how to lead thriving and connected workplace cultures.