I used to stare at my to-do list and just… freeze.
It felt less like a plan and more like a list of all the ways I was failing. That feeling of being overwhelmed was a constant companion back when I was stuck in a cycle of bad habits. I’d escape into video games or food because the mountain of things I should be doing felt too high to climb. Changing my life, losing over 110 pounds, and building a productive routine wasn’t about finding some magical system. It was about learning how to manage my tasks in a way that didn’t crush my spirit.
If you’ve ever felt that same sense of paralysis, I get it. You’re not lazy or broken. You just need a better toolbox. Here are 12 simple methods that helped me go from overwhelmed to in control.
1. Do a "Brain Dump"
First things first, get it all out of your head. Grab a piece of paper or open a blank document and write down every single thing you need to do. Big or small, personal or professional. Don’t organize it. Just dump it. This clears your mind and lets you see what you’re actually dealing with. It’s often less scary on paper than it is swirling around in your head.
2. Pick Your Top 3
Now, look at that list. Forget trying to do it all. That’s a recipe for burnout. Instead, ask yourself: “If I could only get three things done today, what would make the biggest difference?” Circle those three. These are your priorities. Everything else is secondary.
3. Eat That Frog
Of your top three tasks, which one are you dreading the most? That’s your frog. Do it first. Get it out of the way before you do anything else. When you tackle your hardest task first, you build a wave of momentum and confidence that carries you through the rest of the day. Every other task will feel easier in comparison.
4. Time Block Your Day
A to-do list tells you what to do, but a calendar tells you when to do it. Give your tasks a home by blocking out time for them in your schedule. For example, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. is for “Writing the report.” 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. is for “Answering emails.” This treats your tasks like appointments you can’t miss and protects your time from distractions.
5. Use the Two-Minute Rule
If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. Don’t write it down. Don’t schedule it for later. Just do it. Answering a quick text, putting a dish in the dishwasher, or confirming an appointment are perfect examples. This prevents dozens of tiny tasks from piling up and creating mental clutter.
6. Focus on One Thing at a Time
Multitasking is a myth. When you think you’re multitasking, you’re actually just switching between tasks very quickly, and your brain pays a price for every switch. Close your other tabs. Put your phone in another room. Give your full attention to the single task in front of you. You’ll do it faster and produce much higher quality work.
7. Work in Deep Work Sprints
Most people think productivity means grinding for eight hours straight. It’s not true. I rebuilt my entire life on a foundation of short, intense bursts of deep work. I focus completely for 2-4 hours a day. During this time, there are no distractions. Nothing. The quality of work I get done in that short window is more than I ever accomplished in a full day of distracted, half-hearted effort. Quality over quantity. Always.
8. Batch Similar Chores
Constantly shifting gears is exhausting. A great way to avoid this is to group similar tasks together and do them all at once. For example, set aside a specific time block to answer all your emails. Run all your errands in one trip. Make all your phone calls back-to-back. This keeps your brain in the same mode, making you far more efficient.
9. Set Real Deadlines
A goal without a deadline is just a wish. This is true for work projects and personal goals. Give yourself a specific end date for each of your important tasks. This creates a healthy sense of urgency and forces you to stop procrastinating and start working. Be realistic but firm with your deadlines.
10. Take Real Breaks
When you take a break, actually take a break. Don’t just switch from your work screen to your phone screen. Get up. Stretch your legs. Look out a window. Grab a glass of water. A few minutes of true disconnection can refresh your mind and help you come back to your work with renewed focus.
11. Celebrate the Small Wins
This was huge for me. When I was losing over 110 pounds, I didn’t wait until I hit my final goal to feel proud. I celebrated losing the first five pounds. Then the next five. The same goes for your to-do list. When you finish a task, especially a hard one, take a moment to acknowledge it. A simple “Good job” to yourself is enough. This practice builds positive momentum and makes the process enjoyable, not just a grind.
12. Plan Tomorrow, Today
The best way to have a productive morning is to prepare for it the night before. At the end of your workday, take just five minutes to look at what you accomplished and identify your top three priorities for tomorrow. When you wake up, you won’t waste time and energy wondering where to start. You can just begin.
For me, getting a handle on my tasks was about more than just productivity. It was an act of faith. I believe that my time is a gift from God, and learning to manage it well is a way of showing gratitude for that gift. It’s about being a good steward of the life I’ve been given. It brings a sense of peace and purpose to my day that goes far beyond just checking boxes.
You don’t have to adopt all 12 of these methods at once. That would just be overwhelming. Instead, I have a question for you.
What is just one of these methods you can try tomorrow?
