The ladies in our family have a private group page on Facebook called, Renee’s Revelers. We started this page to just to encourage one another, have a place to vent, or throw out random ideas and questions. One of the topics that comes up frequently in our discussions online is – How do you stay focused on your “To-Do” list or lists (in my case) without letting yourself get sidetracked?
At dictionary.com the actual definition of sidetracked is: to move or distract from the main subject or course. I have my “To-Do” list with all of my main “subjects” or items to get accomplished for the day. Yet inevitably I only get one or two of them done due to the “sidetrack” factor. My daughter and I were joking with each other about this over the weekend. I was thinking to myself, I should count how many times each day or in a given period of time that I get sidetracked. Maybe if I knew the number of times I get sidetracked it would help to focus on the main items I’m trying to get finished for the day. I haven’t decided if I’m going to do that yet. I may throw that idea up for discussion with my “Revelers” group.
Here’s a couple of my “sidetrack” areas that always seem to veer me off of my main course on any given day.
#1 The Housecleaning sidetrack factor is a big one. This is the one my daughter and I joke about all of the time. She does my weekly cleaning and I am always teasing her about getting sidetracked.
You’ve probably done this. You’re in the middle of cleaning up a bathroom or bedroom when you suddenly look up and your rummaging through some closet shelves in another room. Sidetracked!
Your putting away the dishes from your dishwasher, and then the next thing you know your cleaning off some pantry shelves. Sidetracked!!
#2 Or how about the sidetrack factor when you’re on the computer. You get on the computer to pay some bills, and before you know you’re reading the latest posts from your favorite bloggers -Sidetracked! Still have to finish paying the bills. Focus, focus get yourself back on the track.
#3 My favorite sidetrack situation to talk about is when you’re trying to get things done around the house, Either just some cleaning or a little DIY project and you get sidetracked by jumping on the computer. You know, just to look something up and see how it’s done. Then half an hour later you try to go back to what you were originally doing.
Or how about those times when you get so seriously sidetracked that you forget what you were initially working on. Yikes, Super-Sidetracked. That’s the moment when you need someone to give you a shout who says, “hey, whatcha working on?”
Do you get sidetracked easily? Is it just me? How do you get yourself back on track to finish what you were doing? How ‘s your To-do list working for you?
Happy Monday everyone – I’m off to work on a DIY project. Hopefully I’ll make it to the kitchen counter without any distractions!
Sidetracked right now reading this! 🙂
I love it! Even though you were sidetracked I’m so glad you stopped by for a visit.
Yep..supposed to be taking a shower, then vacuum, then do laundry…but what am I doing? On the computer…sidetracked 🙂
The computer sidetracking is the worst for me. It seems I touched on a subject that affects us all. Glad you stopped by for a visit.
I get sidetracked while writing my To-Do list! That’s got to be the ultimate…. 🙂
Ok Dooney- you win the sidtracked prize! That is definitely the ultimate. So glad you stopped by for a visit.
I’m a list fanatic. It helps me remember and helps me focus. I need all the help I can get.
I’m a list fanatic myself. Sometimes I sidetracked from one list to another! Glad you stopped by for a visit.
Happens all the time to me. But what I noticed is that i am distracted more easily from the things I don’t enjoy.
I agree Jennifer. I’m pretty sure the fun things get me sidetracked too! Glad you stopped by for a visit.