Whether it's the new sandals for the daughter, the picture that still needs to be on the wall or the presentation for work - in everyday life most people have to reconcile many things. In order not to forget anything, all tasks end up on a to-do list. But the number of tasks on the piece of paper quickly grows and there just seem to be far too many things that are still open. But how do you manage to do everyday tasks better and stay motivated?
Ayelet Fishbach is a professor at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business with a professional focus on motivation. The first problem with to-do lists is that they can limit your flexibility if you only want to do something because it's on the list, the expert told CNN. Sometimes a lot of tasks end up on the list that actually have a low priority. She recommends using three categories so only important tasks end up on the list:
A challenge that many people who have already made a New Year's resolution should be familiar with – in the beginning the motivation is still high, but over time it is very difficult to stay on the ball. Ayelet Fishbach calls it the "problem of the middle". Anyone who starts a task is still very motivated and motivation increases again shortly before the goal, but in between it is often lost. Fishbach's advice: "Keep the mids short. Instead of a monthly workout goal, set a weekly workout goal and instead of a yearly professional goal, set a monthly goal for what you want to accomplish at work."
The expert also provides tips on how to set goals correctly. For example, if you want to get up earlier, you should not plan not to oversleep. Instead, set yourself a goal, for example, to attend a yoga class in the morning. It can also be helpful to take a look at the to-dos that have already been achieved and what still needs to be done. "Your goals should balance each other—not undermine each other. Each specific goal should align with whatever you're trying to do. If you want to eat healthier, cut out the ice cream parlor," says Ayelet Fishbach. It is also important to have a good environment that supports you. You can get help from there if you need it.
Those: CNN
