It’s the age old question; you know you should make a list of things to do, but somehow they never seem to get done. You start off with the best of intentions, but before long your list becomes a source of anxiety rather than a helpful tool. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry – you’re not alone. In fact, research suggests that only around 40% of people actually stick to their New Year’s resolutions.

So what can you do to make sure you’re part of that 40%? The key is to find a system that works for you, and to be realistic about what you can achieve. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Keep it simple

Your to-do list should be a tool to help you get things done, not a source of stress. So keep it simple. A good rule of thumb is to have no more than five items on your list at any one time.

Be specific

Vague items like “exercise more” or “read more” are unlikely to get done. But if you’re specific about what you want to achieve, then you’re more likely to take action. For example, “go for a 30 minute walk three times a week” or “read one chapter of a book every day.”

Set a deadline

If an item on your list doesn’t have a deadline, then it’s easy to keep putting it off. So make sure each item has a date attached to it. This will help you to prioritise and to stay on track.

Make it visible

If your to-do list is hidden away in a drawer, then it’s not going to do you much good. Write it down somewhere where you’ll see it every day, such as on a whiteboard or in a notebook. Or you could use a to-do list app on your phone or computer.

Give yourself a break

It’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve. If you try to do too much, then you’re likely to end up feeling overwhelmed and stressed. So give yourself a break. If you don’t manage to complete everything on your list, that’s OK. Just pick up where you left off the next day.

The days of financial freedom, devoid of any worries, can be achieved through a little bit of discipline and by following a planned path based on a good financial strategy. Find out the expert opinion, insight and opportunities of new trends in business, trends in small business, developing leadership skills, personal skills and job market at Cashloanace.