How to Get More Done by Romanticizing Your To-Do List (Ep 204)

If you want to get more done without hustling harder, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Balancing Busy, I’m sharing how romanticizing your to-do list can actually help you be more productive, more focused, and more consistent—without burning out.

You’ll learn five simple ways to change how your to-do list feels so it stops feeling heavy or overwhelming and starts working for you. We talk about making your planning tools enjoyable to use, starting your day with intention instead of urgency, adding joy into your daily schedule, turning hard tasks into rituals, and why celebrating small wins is essential for long-term motivation.

This episode is for busy women, entrepreneurs, and moms who feel stuck, unmotivated, or overwhelmed by their to-do list and want a healthier, more sustainable approach to productivity.

If you’ve ever felt like your to-do list runs your life—or that productivity advice just makes you feel more behind—this episode will help you rethink how you work and why it matters.

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Transcript

If January is reset energy, then February is fall-back-in-love energy. And we are going to apply this to your to-do list.

Today I want to talk about something that might sound a little silly at first, but I swear it works. And I promise by the end of this episode you’re going to be like, okay, yes, I’m absolutely doing this.

We’re talking about romanticizing your to-do list.

Not ignoring it. Not pretending hard things don’t exist. But actually making the act of doing your work feel more enjoyable, more intentional, and honestly more life-giving.

Because when your business or your to-do list starts to feel like nothing but a chore, that’s when resentment creeps in. We all know this.

And I’m going to be honest, I think this is some really good marriage advice too. So we’re just going to sneak that in and let it percolate, because the same thing happens there too.

So let’s talk about five ways to romanticize your to-do list.

Number one: make it beautiful for you.

This is not about what looks aesthetic on Instagram. This is about what makes you happy.

Spend a few extra dollars on things you actually enjoy using. Pens that make you happy. A planner that makes you giddy. Notepads that make you excited to write things down.

I am absolutely this person.

I literally have custom sticky notes that say “Moments of Genius – Leah Remillét.” I also have a notepad that says “Brilliant Ideas from Leah Remillét.” Can you tell that I am totally telling myself I’m awesome?

I have my custom to-do list notepad that I give to all of the members inside Mom Business Academy, and it’s the same one that I use every single day.

I used to use whatever I had lying around, and when I made this shift, I noticed my productivity truly elevated.

I have special pens in a special cup that I love. And none of this is necessary, but it makes me happier. And I can truly see the difference in my productivity and in how I feel making things happen. When I’m happier, I show up better.

And I know this is exactly the same thing for you too.

When we were dating, we tried a little harder. We put on something cute. We noticed the details. Making your tools beautiful is like getting ready for the date. It’s a signal that this matters.

Number two: start with a loving intention—but not so soft that nothing gets done.

Before you write a single task down, ask yourself, how do I want to feel today?

This does not mean we just vibe our way through the day and ignore responsibility. But it does mean we stop letting urgency be the only thing in charge.

Two questions that really help me here.

The first is: what is the one thing I can do today that moves my goal forward?

Just asking that sets an intention. That one thing is future-me insurance. Future me is like, oh, thank you Leah.

The second question I love is this: if this were the second time I was living this day, where would I start?

That question helps me get even more clear and dialed in on what matters most. And if I start there, then even if the rest of my day goes haywire, I’m going to feel okay.

And to keep this love energy going, ask yourself: who can I show appreciation to today?

This doesn’t have to be complicated. A quick text. A note. A voice memo. Something super simple.

But when you bring more love into your life by giving it, everything feels lighter. That’s true in business, in marriage, in everything.

Number three: add one joy-based task daily.

I love this one.

Your to-do list should absolutely include the things you need to do. Of course. But why can’t it also include something you’re genuinely excited about?

A walk. A book. A skincare ritual. A really yummy lunch—which, for the record, is definitely joy-based for me.

It just needs to be something that sparks joy for you. Not everything has to earn its place by being productive. Sometimes the point is simply that it makes your day better.

You deserve that.

And that’s exactly how relationships work too. When we were dating, we did things just for fun. Joy for the sake of joy keeps things alive.

Number four: make harder things a ritual.

Some things on your list are just not fun.

So instead of trying to force motivation, turn those things into something you can look forward to, at least in part.

If it’s time to go through expenses, light a candle. Put on music. Wrap yourself in a warm blanket. Sip tea.

You’re still doing the hard thing. You’re just doing it in a way that feels kinder.

Not every conversation in marriage is fun. Not every responsibility is exciting. But when we bring intention, warmth, and ritual into hard moments, they don’t feel so heavy.

Number five: celebrate small wins with confetti.

Okay, you don’t actually have to use confetti. But yes, sometimes I really have.

The point isn’t the confetti. The point is celebration.

When you do something great, when you check something off, when you hit a milestone—pause. Celebrate it. Enjoy it.

Have a special dinner. Mark the moment. Buy the thing you’ve had sitting in your cart.

Because if the only time you celebrated your marriage was on your wedding day, it wouldn’t last. And I think the same is true for our businesses.

When we skip over our wins, it starts to feel like nothing but a chore. You start to resent the thing that used to be your dream.

And here’s the final idea I want to leave you with.

If your to-do list feels heavy, it might not be because you’re doing too much. It might be because you’ve removed all the joy, the ceremony, and the meaning from it.

When we were dating, we added a little extra. We tried. We showed up with intention. We added a little zhuzh—and it made it fun.

Why can’t we do the exact same thing with our to-do list?

So make it beautiful. Be intentional. Add joy. Create rituals. Celebrate often.

You don’t need to hustle harder, my balance bestie.

You might just need to love it better.