Overwhelmed? Your To Do List Might Need A Tune Up.

You know the feeling. You sit down, open your planner or notebook, and stare at a giant to-do list… and somehow, it makes everything feel worse.

The truth? It’s not you. It’s the way the list is written.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, frozen, or frustrated by a list that’s supposed to help you stay organized, there’s a good chance your tasks are actually just too big, too vague, or too disconnected from your actual day-to-day energy.

Let’s fix that—one small step at a time.

Step 1: Break Big Tasks Into Tiny Actions

Instead of writing:

• "Redo website"

• "Get ready for the school year"

• "Declutter the house"

Try writing:

• “Choose one new homepage photo”

• “Buy new pens for classroom setup”

• “Set a 15-minute timer and do one junk drawer”

Why this works:
Your brain doesn’t like vague goals. It loves tiny, clear wins. When tasks feel doable, you’re more likely to start—and starting is half the battle.

Step 2: Use the “5–10 Minute Rule”

If a task takes more than 10 minutes, ask yourself:
“Could I break this into two or three smaller steps?”

Quick example:

• Instead of “Make dentist appointment,” break it down into:

  1. Find the number

  2. Call and leave a message

  3. Add date to calendar when confirmed

Suddenly, your brain sees progress instead of a big block of unknown effort.

Step 3: Group by Energy, Not Just Priority

Some people love color-coding by urgency, but you might find it helpful to group tasks by energy level instead. That way, if you’ve only got 10 low-energy minutes, you know what you can still check off.

Categories might be:

• ✨ Quick & Easy

• 🧠 Requires Brain Power

• 📞 Phone Calls

• 🧽 Chores

You can even dedicate a section in your planner or notebook just for these groups!

Step 4: Don’t Let the Tools Get in the Way

The best planner or notebook is the one you actually use.
If something isn’t working for you—change it. Rip out the page. Start over. Use sticky notes. Doodle in the margins.

We design every planner, notebook, and goal tracker at Practical Paper Co. to be flexible, forgiving, and fully customizable… because the system should serve you, not the other way around.

TL;DR?

Big tasks → tiny steps
Clear lists → real progress
One notebook → big peace of mind

💛 Want to try this with a planner that fits your life?
Check out our fully customizable planners and notebooks, handmade with care right here in our Arizona studio.