The Secret to GSD – Part 1 of 2: A Sticky Note and a To-Do List

Ever wonder how some people seem to effortlessly juggle work, family responsibilities, volunteering – the whole nine yards – and still make time for themselves? Well, I have a secret to "Getting Sh*t Done" (GSD)! Nothing fancy or complicated - just a sticky note and a to-do list!

The Multi-Hat Juggling Act

I run two companies. I am a wife, a mom to a teenager, and a dog mom. I also lead community initiatives and volunteer. I travel for both work and pleasure and all the while, I am a voracious reader. With this packed schedule, I am asked at least once a week how I keep everything on track.

The Stupidly Simple System:

The Weekly Master List: Every Sunday night or Monday morning, I sit down and write out everything happening that week. This becomes my roadmap.

The Daily Sticky Note: Each morning, I select just 3-5 tasks from the master list that absolutely must get done that day and put them on a sticky note.

The Calendar: I schedule everything – not just meetings and appointments, but also meeting prep time, family commitments like picking up my child or dog from daycare, and even dinner with my husband.

Why It Works

The brilliance of this system is in its simplicity and focus. The sticky note prevents the overwhelm that comes from staring at a massive to-do list. By identifying just a handful of non-negotiable tasks each day, I create clarity and can achieve consistent forward momentum.

It's a perfect antidote to the midlife juggling act many of us experience. No fancy apps, no complicated systems – just intentional planning and daily prioritization.

Sometimes the most effective productivity hacks aren't hacks at all – they're just straightforward methods applied consistently. A list, a sticky note, and a calendar might be all you need to start Getting Sh*t Done too!

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