A new way to tweak your to-do list
Oh, hi friends!
I’ve got a new little time management/productivity hack for you.
You might be jumping around from task to task today.
But what do you do during the space between these projects?
If I’m at home, I break up work by wandering to the kitchen, picking up a book, or—more likely—grabbing my phone and quickly checking my texts, Instagram, and email (despite having just checked Gmail on my laptop…it honestly makes no sense).
That’s why it might be a good idea to create an “Other Important Things” to-do list. This can contain things that you’d really like to do, aren’t time-wasters, and also contribute to your sense of identity or well-being.
I got this idea from my friend Aransas, who added items like “sign up for a road race” to her second list. When she had a spare moment during the work day, she could put her energy toward these short action items—things that need to get done but don’t exactly scream “work!!!”
I’m adding “find a good restaurant near SoHo for Thursday” and “compile all the feedback for that play I wrote” to my list, among other little items.
The hope is that you’ll feel like you’re moving forward on all your goals—the work ones, and the ones that may feel like they’re living in the backseat.
My friend Rob Di Ieso has been taking photographs on the New York subway for years. His incredible series captures city life in such a poignant way.
You can follow him @radiieso.
I listen to music to, well, “pump myself up” for the day, but find it challenging to listen to songs with lyrics if I’m writing. I always want to look up the lyrics! I’m grateful to have found out about the composer and singer Slow Meadow. His “Palemote” (above) and new song “Clouds, Not Clocks” are especially beautiful and calming to my easily-distracted ears. (h/t Tori)
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara