Getting through an ever expanding to-do-list

[PrettyShiningPeople]

How do you manage your to-do lists at work or in life?
Recently I just feel as though I constantly have things that I’ve been meaning to do, but I never get around to them because they always get pushed out of the way in favour of more important jobs.
I’m fed-up of making excuses to people, and it feels as though the things you haven’t done become the focus, while everything you have actually achieved is ignored.

I just have too much to do and although my manager at work acknowledges this, it’s like they still expect everything to be done anyway. I can’t win!

Can you send them the list and ask for a meeting to prioritise it and perhaps delegate some of it. Can you also outline a typical day so they see where your time gets spent?

At home - I think everyone feels this, especially if they work outside home. The list is never ending. I just let some stuff slide.

If you are doing a lot for charity - cut back. Get rid of all not-essential obligations. I used to run myself ragged for local organisations, neglecting my DC, constantly stressed and completely friendless as people would see me coming and think: shit, she's going to try and get me to do something/donate something. I stopped the lot and have never been happier.

If you can afford to, delegate stuff at home that you neglect but that really bugs you - whether that's basic or deep cleaning, ironing, admin, getting a teen to play with and read to DC a few afternoons a week.

Unfortunately delegation not an option as everyone else is just as busy.

Manager doesn’t fully understand the job & isn’t very sympathetic - they simplify everything and don’t listen when you try & explain what’s actually involved.

I think the upshot of this is that I end up doing things that are not necessarily the highest priority just to appease the people shouting the loudest or who I think is most likely to get upset!