With a little help from David Allen’s classic, Getting Things Done, here are 12 ways to get on top of all those things that you need to do:

1. Write it down – Sit down and write out a full list of everything you need to get done.  Everything.  Scrub the toilets?  Write it down.  Write draft for a grant proposal?  Write it down.  Write it all down first, then you can work with it from there.
2. Be specific – Do you need to trim the bushes?  Don’t write ‘bushes’, but write ‘trim the bushes’  The more specific you are the more likely you will get it done
3. Do it – If you can do it in 2 minutes or less, don’t even bother writing it down, just do it.
4. Stay consistent – Use the same organization methods at home and at work.  It’ll be a lot easier to keep things organized if you are doing it the same way every time.
5. Don’t do someone else’s job – If someone can our should do it, let them.  Don’t spend your time doing something that someone else can or should be doing.
6. Schedule work time – don’t let important things pile up!  If you need a significant block of time to work on something, put it on your calendar.
7. Work in steps – Keep a list of all the steps/tasks for a project and work through the steps.  One master list per project will make it a lot easier to manage instead of a mishmash of tasks spread across various lists.
8. File away – If you want to keep it for a reference, file it away.  If you need to do it in the future, file it away and mark your calendar.  The less you have sitting around the less you have to distract you.
9. Throw it away – if it is useless, throw it away.  If you’re done reading the magazine, tear out and save what you want and throw the rest of it away.
10. Separate tasks from materials – particularly in a project file.  Keep your task/step lists in either a different file or separate from the supporting materials.  It’s a lot easier to stay on task if you don’t have to fish through a folder to find your list.
11. Start with goals – Know what you want to do, who you are, and where you are.  Don’t take on a task that isn’t going to help you fulfill what you want and don’t wear yourself out doing something that you are not prepared or equipped to do.
12. Don’t waste time – You have 10 minutes before a meeting?  Use that time to do what you can.  If you can capture the various 5-10 minute “waiting time” moments in your day and use them productively, you will be surprised to find out what you accomplish!