Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.

Having an unruly to-do list can be overwhelming. If you find yourself rushing around, but not actually getting anything done, try the following process:

1. Write it all down. Put everything on one list. Determine which tasks are easy and which are more difficult.

2. Do some easy things. Spend 15 minutes doing the easy tasks. Focus on speed: make the quick phone calls, shoot off the brief emails. Cross as many tasks off the list as you can.

3. Turn to a bigger task. Turn off your phone, close all the open windows on your computer, and focus on one of the more challenging tasks. Do this for 35 minutes without distraction.

4. Take a break. After 35 minutes, take a 10-minute break. Then return to step two.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from Guide to Managing Stress.

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Also, you may wish to check out the new book Management Tips from Harvard Business Review, based on HBR’s Management Tip of the Day by clicking here.