Some achievers and more so perfectionists love to keep an extensive to-do list. It assists them to remain focused on their targets, on top of the normal day-to-day responsibilities and calendar of upcoming events and activities.

While ticking these off provides a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, registered psychologist Nicole Byers, Ph.D, who specializes in clinical psychology and neuropsychology, explains that these checklists may likewise become an “overwhelming monster.”

“If you want to achieve your goals faster, the solution isn’t to be working 24/7 trying to squeeze it all in,” she noted.

“We know from the research that working all the time actually makes us less productive and making time for a life outside of work like hobbies, time with family and friends, and regular sleep not only boosts your mental efficiency but might also help you live longer,” she added.

Byers, who is the founder of the Rocky Mountain Neurosciences and the host of The Bold Life Podcast, is also a self-confessed “recovering perfectionist.”

“Here’s a secret that’s taken me a lot of time (and frustration) to learn: As a high-achieving professional with big career goals (and who still wants to make time for family game nights, soccer practices, and the occasional trip to the gym), that to-do list is never going to be totally checked off,” she shared.

“The key to feeling in control of it, without rushing all day and feeling constantly behind, is becoming an expert at prioritizing,” she advised.

Echoing Byers, Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde shared the top three steps to manage to-do lists and prioritize productive work over busy work:

Step 1: Decide what’s truly urgent.

We all fall into the productivity trap and think that everything is urgent. That is not true. The first step in prioritizing is getting crystal clear on what’s really crucial. Look at that to-do list and ask yourself: Is anything really urgent? If the answer is yes, then it probably needs to go on today’s priority list.

Step 2: Eliminate the “shoulds”.

These are the things that are on the list because our inner perfectionist or inner people pleaser makes us feel like we “should” be doing them. These will only result to a lot of busy work that is draining our time, energy, and focus. Cross off these “shoulds”.

Step 3: Identify which tasks move the needle the most toward your current goal.

These should be the highest priority on your to-do list. If you’re not sure which will move you closest to your aims, they are probably the ones that feel a bit scary – the ones where you are not quite sure where to start. Our brains like to stay comfortable. Find the tasks you might try and resist, the ones that feel a bit daunting. Those are probably the key tasks to make priorities.