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5 Reasons Why You Need to Ditch Your To-Do List to Be More Productive

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How often do you use your to-do list? Do you use it on a daily or weekly basis? The truth is, it doesn’t really matter. We all seem to be looking for that simple solution to systemize our planning and get everything done, yet with all the advice and tools out there, it’s certainly not easy to put into action.

In fact, that’s the first problem, there’s too much out there! Wouldn’t you agree? Never mind an ever-growing to-do list haunting you each day. When I started working as a productivity coach, I always struggled to master my to-do list.  I starting adding columns for time estimates and priorities, but I never seemed to feel very productive with it. Over time I started to find that without my to-do list, I was actually more productive.

Below, are 5 reasons why you should consider ditching your to-do list:

1. Not having a list forces you to schedule your tasks

Productivity is all about action; this is my top reason for ditching the list.  When something is on a list, there is no action, but when it is in your calendar, you are more likely to take action. When you want to put something on a list, take a minute to think about when the best time to do it is. Then schedule it directly into your calendar.

Don’t put it on a list; you commit when you schedule. You can always reschedule the task, but if you have all your to-do’s in your calendar, you can also see how much time you actually have and this forces you to prioritize as well. Maybe you don’t actually need to have that item on the list in the first place.

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

2. A never-ending list only makes you feel overwhelmed

Having a long to-do list is very overwhelming and frustrating. It’s not exciting to know that you have a million tasks to still get through and every day you will keep adding more. The mind gets overwhelmed and you wonder how you will ever get anything done. That is counterproductive and leaves you feeling like you will never see the end of the list. Why do you want to do this to yourself?

3. A to-do list gives you a false sense of accomplishment

Another form of procrastination happens all the time with lists; choosing items that will give you quick gratification and menial tasks that don’t really need to be done. I’m betting most people choose tasks based on other criteria than importance; tasks that make you feel busy, but get you nowhere. You will most likely tick off the easy tasks to give you a sense of accomplishment, but you know you really aren’t getting any closer to your real goals.

4. Don’t have so many systems to co-ordinate

Having one less ‘system’ to use helps you save heaps of time. You don’t need to have an extra list where you spend time writing everything down and then again, reviewing it regularly. Imagine how much time is saved there alone. You can keep your notes and your future ideas and plans in another system.

If you use Google Keep, it works really well to keep your notes and ideas there and you can even put reminders for the future linked to your calendar so you know you will come back to it. There are other ways to keep your notes.

“People are remarkably bad at remembering long lists of goals. Clarity comes with simplicity.” – Brendon Burchard

5. To-do lists are unclear

Last but certainly not least, this was the first frustration I found with the lists. Not having any idea what the priority level was or how long the task would take. So, I started adding columns to my lists, including how long I think the task would take and how important it was. Going through that list though, wasn’t so easy and it just felt like such a huge task every day. I knew something was amiss.

I felt so free the day I decided to ditch my to-do list. At the end of the day, productivity is about doing things smarter, and I think it’s clear that to-do lists are something of the past, or they should be. To-do lists don’t help you free up more time, they take time away from you!

Not all the tools and tricks of the past work today and this is another example of that. The most productive people don’t use lists, they schedule their to-do’s and if you really want to take your productivity to the next level, you should too.

Are you still using a to-do list? If so, what are you experiences with it? Leave your thoughts below!

Kirstin O’Donovan is a “multinational” productivity coach, author and founder of TopResultsCoaching an international company providing coaching services in nearly a dozen countries. With over 10 years working in the field of coaching and personal development, she provides her expertise to help individuals create the life and results they desire.   Kirstin also writes for various international publications in personal development. Kirstin, a certified NLP Practitioner, holds various qualifications, certificates and credentials related to personal and business coaching. She is the author of ‘Maximize your time to maximize your profit’ and Co-Author of ‘The Confident Woman’ and ‘There is GOLD inside YOU.’

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Success Advice

19 Common Characteristics All Visionary Leaders Have

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visionary leadership qualities

When you look at business leaders like Bill Gates, Sam Walton, Sir Richard Branson, and philosophers like Bertrand Russell, Martin Heidegger, Ludwig Wittgenstein, David Bohm,  C. S. Peirce and inventors like Nikola Tesla, Paolo Soleri, Harvey W. Bailey, Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and Wright brothers and political leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Aung San Suu Kyi, it becomes very clear that they are all connected through one leadership—visionary leadership. (more…)

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Wealth Lessons Everyone Should Hear for Every Stage of Your Life

Do you have the courage to rewrite your story?

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what i would tell my younger self

Do you see what I see? Likely not, as we each see ourselves through the lens of our own story. (more…)

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How to Choose the Best Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers

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Picking the right affiliate programs for your blog is really important. It can make a big difference in how much money you can make and how much your readers get out of your blog. With so many choices out there, deciding which ones to go with can be tricky. 

This guide is here to make it easier for you. It will give you clear steps and helpful tips to choose affiliate programs that fit well with what your blog is about, what your readers like, and what you stand for. 

For more articles on this theme, please head over to this blog https://blog.partners1xbet.com/.

Understanding Affiliate Marketing

Before you start picking affiliate programs, it’s important to really understand what affiliate marketing is and how it works. 

Basically, affiliate marketing is when you promote a product or service on your blog, and then you get paid a little bit every time someone buys something or does something because you recommended it. 

It’s great for both the person selling the product and the blogger, because the seller gets more sales with low risk, and the blogger can make money from their blog.

How to Choose the Right Affiliate Programs for Your Blog

1. Assess Your Niche and Audience

The key to doing well in affiliate marketing starts with really knowing what your blog is about and who reads it. Consider the following:

  • Your blog’s content: What topics do you cover? Ensure the products or services you promote are relevant.
  • Your audience’s interests and needs: What solutions are they seeking? Choose affiliate programs that offer products or services that solve their problems or enhance their lives.

2. Research Potential Affiliate Programs

Once you know what your blog is about and what your readers want, start looking for affiliate programs. Choose ones that are well-known for good products, great customer service, and helpful support for affiliates. Resources to find these programs include:

  • Affiliate networks like ShareASale, Commission Junction, and ClickBank.
  • Direct searches for “[Your Niche] affiliate programs” in search engines.
  • Recommendations from other bloggers in your niche.

3. Evaluate the Commission Structure

The commission structure is a critical factor to consider. Look for programs that offer competitive rates that make your efforts worthwhile. Consider:

  • The percentage of commission per sale.
  • Whether the program offers a flat rate per action (e.g., per sign-up).
  • The cookie duration, which affects how long after a click you can earn commissions on sales.

4. Consider the Program’s Reputation and Sureness

Join affiliate programs with a solid reputation for quality and sureness. This not only ensures that you’re promoting good products but also that you’ll be paid on time. You can:

  • Read reviews from other affiliates.
  • Check the program’s history and background.
  • Look for any complaints or issues reported online.

5. Analyze the Support and Resources Offered

A good affiliate program gives you things like ads to use, training on their products, and helpful managers. Having access to these resources can really help you do a better job at promoting their products.

6. Understand the Terms and Conditions

Before signing up, thoroughly review the program’s terms and conditions. Pay close attention to:

  • Payment thresholds and methods.
  • Any restrictions on how you can promote their products.
  • The program’s policy on affiliate marketing on social media platforms.

7. Test the Product or Service

If possible, test the product or service before promoting it. This firsthand experience allows you to offer genuine charge and build trust with your audience.

8. Look for Recurring Commission Opportunities

Some affiliate programs pay you again and again for subscriptions or services that charge fees regularly. These can provide a more stable income compared to one-time sales commissions.

Implementing Your Choice

After choosing the best affiliate programs, the next step is to smoothly include your affiliate marketing in your content plan. This includes:

  • Creating valuable content that naturally incorporates affiliate links.
  • Disclosing your affiliate affairs transparently to maintain trust with your audience.
  • Tracking your results to understand what works best for your audience and adjusting your strategy accordingly.

Picking the best affiliate programs for your blog involves careful planning, research, and making sure they match what your audience likes and needs. 

If you follow these steps, you can create an affiliate marketing plan that makes money, fits well with your content, and connects with your readers. 

The real key to doing well with affiliate marketing isn’t just about the products you talk about, but also how much your audience trusts and values your advice. 

With enough time, patience, and hard work, your blog can grow into a successful space that earns a good amount of affiliate money and helps your readers choose the right products.

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The Power of Ethical Leadership: How Integrity Drives Success

By leading with integrity and ethics, leaders create an environment where employees feel excited to come to work

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Ethical leadership

What differentiates a positive organizational culture that enjoys a clean reputation and long-term success from a toxic culture drowning in scandals, mistrust, and legal fines?  (more…)

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