Why your to-do list is stressing you out Why your to-do list is stressing you out

The year is young, your to-do list is long. But you’ve got plenty of time to get fit, book a holiday, start that new project and train your dog, right?

Before you blink and the first six months of the year have gone by, and before that far off deadline is suddenly tomorrow, it’s time to set some priorities.

If you leave important tasks to the last minute, stress kicks in – impeding your ability to see clearly and make wise decisions. And when stress, fear, anger or other emotional responses influence your perception, you could be in amygdala hijack.

It sounds like a new sci-fi movie, but the amygdala is the part of the brain that helps us to think rationally, logically and clearly – and when it’s taken over by stress and fear, that’s just about all your brain can hear. You’ve lost perspective.

To get it back, you need to re-prioritize. These tips will help you put the most important things first.

1. Take a break

It may seem counterintuitive to step away from work when you have a lot to do, but taking breaks is proven to increase productivity. A break can be as short as a 5-minute walk around the block. Allowing yourself time to step away and think about something else will help to clear your mind and re-prioritize when the tasks are piling up high.

2. Make a list

Create a to-do list of all of the tasks you need to complete. Once you’ve written down all the tasks, rank them in order of importance: 1 being the most important to 10 being the least important. Then work backward; begin with the smallest, least important task, then work your way towards number 1 or the most important. Clearing out the glut of tasks will help you focus better on those that matter most.

3. Ask “Why is this important?”

When you feel an emotional reaction rising to the surface, ask yourself “Why is this important?” Write down your answer to the question. Then ask yourself again, “Why is this important?” and write down your answer. Repeat this activity until you feel a settling or understanding. You may find that the reason you are not prioritizing correctly is because you feel undervalued, overwhelmed or uneasy. Getting to the bottom of an emotion helps you to move ahead. As Dr. Dan Siegel says: “Name it to tame it.”

4. Meditate on it

Take a few moments aside from your busy day to do mindfulness meditation. Meditations from the Centr Team will help you set your priorities for the day and be done with distractions. Taking a few minutes to calm your thoughts and find your focus with meditation will help bring clarity and perspective when you’re overwhelmed and reacting to pressure.