Where do we start?
Start with what's most important. It could be most important because it's time-sensitive, it's been on the list for a while, or someone else is waiting for it. Or, its importance can be subjective, and clear only to us. If it's a priority (regardless of why this is the case), getting it done will yield an emotional payoff, freeing your energy for other tasks.
Start with the thing you most want to tackle. Motivation is a powerful driver. If we're in the mood to tackle a task, it often gets done more quickly and painlessly. The size of the task doesn't really matter. Checking off any task we want to get done gives us a sense of accomplishment.
Start with the thing that will take the least amount of time. Checking off a succession of small tasks can also be motivating. In addition, this strategy works well when we have just a few minutes between activities or appointments. The big piles might have to wait, but the quick tasks can be accomplished and released from our endlessly scrolling mental list.
As I move through my pile-up of piles, I'm using all of these strategies. Some days, I feel motivated to dig in; other days, I prefer to putter, and, on many days, I find that my plan goes awry when the first thing I tackle leads me to another and another...
And so on.
In the end, where we start matters much less than simply getting started. So, look around, choose a task, and dig in.
Before you know it, you'll be checking it off the list.
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