Task-tastic Triumphs: Unleash Your Productivity Superpowers

Discover the secrets to turbocharging your workflow and conquering your to-do list with ease

I use Trello to organize my tasks. It’s like a digital to-do list where I can see all my tasks in one place. Each task has a progress bar that helps me stay motivated to finish them. I can also set deadlines and leave notes on each task. It’s really helped me stay focused and organized while working.

This is what my messy board looks like hehe

Before I started using this approach, I used to struggle with staying focused on my projects. I would try to do everything at once and end up feeling overwhelmed. But now, with this approach, I can break down my projects into smaller tasks and focus on one thing at a time. It’s made my work much more manageable.

Plus, as I’ve made a to-do list a lot, I’ve gotten even better at managing my tasks. It’s like a learning process that keeps improving my work habits. And it can do the same for you too, as long as you remember these three things: Plan, Adjust, and Evaluate.

Plan: Don’t start with an empty brain, at least Get the big picture before it

I always begin by planning my work before the project starts. This step helps me prepare and envision the process ahead. I jot down all the tasks I anticipate needing to tackle, deliberately noting everything I know. Sometimes, I even draw from past projects of a similar nature, copying and pasting relevant elements from previous processes. I don’t worry about missing tasks at this stage; the main objective is to outline the broader scope of my working process for the project. To make it more tangible, I assign deadlines to each task.

Furthermore, during this planning phase, I gain visibility into potential risks and consider how best to mitigate them.

My to-do list in section: preparation before start ideation

Adjust: Dance with reality

Hey, heads up! When it comes to project management, you’ve got to be prepared for changes. Plans can shift with just a single message on Slack. While some things go according to plan, more often than not, adjustments are needed to the to-do list.

During the project, I frequently delete, reorder, edit, or add tasks as needed. Even if you can’t check off every box, it’s not a major issue. The key is to ensure we’re still on track and the objective remains the same.

For instance, imagine you’re planning to go to a cafe 10 km away from your house and you intend to take a bus. However, halfway there, the bus encounters heavy traffic. In response, you decide to continue on foot to reach the cafe.

To illustrate further, after conducting a usability test with a user, I might uncover crucial information that needs to be shared with my Product Manager urgently. If this task isn’t already on my list, I’ll make a note in the comments section and add a new task to share a quick recap of the testing before reaching the next checkpoint.”

Adjusting the to-do list

Evaluate: Gain Insight From What You’ve Done

After completing a task, I make it a habit to jot down my thoughts in the comment section. Whether it’s expressing my feelings, highlighting achievements, noting challenges, or simply sharing random musings, I write in my own language.

Once the task is done or the project is finished, I revisit these comments and reflect on my experiences. I write about the lessons learned and consider what steps I can take to improve the process. Recognizing that not every challenge can be addressed alone, I often seek input from my team and manager to navigate similar situations in the future and enhance our planning and execution for upcoming projects.

This process of evaluation serves as a catalyst for growth. By analyzing my experiences, I gain valuable insights and refine my approach to tasks. I then apply these learnings to future projects, continuing the cycle of improvement

In conclusion, I strongly urge you to adopt a cycle of planning, adjusting, and evaluating your approach to work. By consistently following these steps, you’ll become more adaptable and resilient when tackling diverse projects. Over time, you’ll refine your process by accumulating valuable experiences from each project you undertake.

Ultimately, our goal extends beyond merely checking off tasks on a to-do list. Rather, we aim to gain insight into our process and progress before marking those checkboxes.

Dah segitu aja, Thank you