A trend I'm seeing in coaching this week: We all feel chaotic and unsure how to prioritize tasks! I think this is because January can be slow to start, then it ramps up and suddenly there's a lot of work. Plus, you know, pandemic + economic challenges + winter...

Some tools

Set aside time on Sunday or Monday to look at what NEEDS to get done this week. Usually (ideally) 3-5 things. Remember: Stories can be broken into phases (research, interviews + reporting, drafting, edits). You'll likely assign each phase a week (if you have time) or a day.

Put that list up where you can see it, on a white board or a sticky. When you get lost in your week, or your time is swallowed up by email, revisit said list. This is what you need to get done! The rest can wait.

Set daily priorities, too. I end up having 15-item to do lists and I don't get everything done and then I feel like crap. The best way around this is to pick TWO things to prioritize on a given day. ( @wudanyan likes to recommend 1 analytical task & 1 creative task.)

These are the things you need to get done that day. That's it! Very permission giving. Helps with anxiety. Highly recommend.

Cut yourself some slack because pandemic. Productivity does not define your value. But getting clarity on what you need to get done helps so, so much.