Daily Checklists? Who uses them?

[Kael41]

It's roughly 7:45 here in Utah (where I'm visiting) this morning and i'm going over some OFFLINE to do lists lol, imagine that. It got me thinking, who here uses to do lists or some sort of "must get done" list to keep themselves organized throughout the day?

[Richard N Adams]

Every evening before I "log off" I create a to-do list for the following day to keep me on track.

That way when I turn on the computer the next morning I know exactly what I am doing and can just straight into the fray without jumping from one project to the next and getting to the ewnd of the day wondering where all the time went :-)

Very powerful if you use it right.

All the best,
Richard

[ladyshadowrider]

Are you kidding me?!

I couldn't survive without my "to do" list!

Call me "old school" but I worked on a project with a young guy last year and he sent me a "mind map"! WTF? I couldn't do anything with that! Bunch of stuff sprawled across the page with lines connecting everything.

Give me a steno pad and a pen any day! Gives me 2 columns to work with, one for current projects and one to jot down my ideas and other stuff that comes to mind as I'm working.

Maybe it's the tactile sensation, but I love being able to mark stuff off the list when it's completed.

That's the way I roll

Tamara

[garyf]

A simple notepad file on the PC works fine for me. I limit my list to 10 items or else I spend more time on the list than on doing things. I also have a couple of checklists for recurrent weekly or monthly tasks so I don't forget them.

Cheers,
Gary

[MikeGriffith]

I use a checklist every day. Even on weekends. It gives me direction. Lets me know which items are most important and must be completed first. And my list keeps me organized and on track....and unforgetful. You need a checklist!

[Bright Wings]

Yes I use the scrap paper from the printer, folded in half, to make and update my lists every evening. I know at a glance each day what I have to do. It's all organized according to current projects and priorities, deadlines, appointments, etc. Once a week I review all my projects to see what's happening, what needs to be amped up, and what needs help (if any) that I can outsource.

Having the lists in front of me gives me a good night's sleep, and keeps me well on track. Couldn't live without them!

Plus, I like the fact that I'm recycling paper :-) Sometimes more than once (I turn them over and use the back side when it's done.)

[Kael41]

It's funny now that I think about it. I lived by my checklists in law school and still do to some extent to manage my online properties. Good work habits don't die out easily that's for sure

[Ron Killian]

I keep telling myself I'm going to do it, or that I need to do it, but I don't, least not very often. Though from reading the replies, I think I need to kick myself in the but and just do it. I know I tend to "wander" around during the day's work. Could use something to keep me focused.

[JonathanBoettcher]

I use a checklist too... here's a great tip I've heard several authors repeat (don't know who originated the idea)

Make your to do list the night before, and prioritize the top three things on it.

The next morning, start with #1 and get the top priorities out of the way, and only then go to smaller stuff.

It really helps!

[jdjenkins]

simpleology.com is free to join and has a great to do list/organiser

best wishes,

Jon.

[pplsearch]

I can't remember the last workday when I didn't use a handwritten checklist.

I have to checklist almost everything that I do, and especially chores (such as responding to emails), otherwise I'll forget for a few days.

I would use some sort of computer/web checklist, but to be honest, I find handwriting much much easier and quicker too.

[Anomaly1974]

I could not live without my whiteboards

[ideasuniversity]

Notepad on my laptop is the best thing since slice bed. I use Notepad to plan my day, i delete the tasks that I have done and move on to the next one.

[unlimited1]

If i don't refer to my lists I dont get anything done - so I cant live without my list

[nicholasb]

For sure it is a must have, I have to be able to keep track of what I am doing and what needs to be done.

There is really no way to get things done in a timely way without a things to do list.

Every night before bed I write out my daily list of things to do

[FXDaddy]

I use a notebook with two columns, one for things that must be done and one column for things that would be nice to have done. I try to update every night but it doesn't always happen. I'm working on that.

[InfoAcademy]

Originally Posted by ladyshadowrider

Call me "old school" but I worked on a project with a young guy last year and he sent me a "mind map"! WTF? I couldn't do anything with that! Bunch of stuff sprawled across the page with lines connecting everything.

Hi Tamara,

Yep, it's the way your brain (and mine!) are wired! I can't stand mind maps either. How do you know what to do first? It's all over the place. Give me a list any day.

I have a friend who LOVES mind maps.... course she has lots of ideas she never gets done, so what does that tell you?!?

_________________________ ______________________
Need an iPhone timer for your workout, meditation, interval training, cleaning routines, or even internet marketing routines? Check out Routine Timer from Routine Timer for iPhone and iPod Touch | Download iPhone Software Applications.

[jondavidson]

I have to have a to-do list to help keep me organized.
The older I get the more I need more paper.. or at least
a place in my notepad to stay organized.
This is a must have for me.

Jon

[jbolte1976]

I use to-do lists everyday. I like using a small notebook. That way I can go back and look at my notes, etc. I find myself adding old to-do's my my current days list (things that didn't get done). I like this because it makes me question..Why am I procrastinating? I like to think this helps me improve and address my areas of opportunity.

[liban]

My list is on notecards. So many of the tasks have to be done regularly that I find it easier. I have a separate notecard for projects of the day. And like many of you, I get the list ready the night before.

[Scott Allan]

Hi,

"To do" lists are vital considering how busy we all get.

If I didnt do mine every night Im scared how much Id forget.

A tip.

Spend more time "doing the things on your to do list" rather than just making one.


Scott

[CBSnooper]

When I became an IT manager my old boss gave me some simple advice. "Write everything down."

I don't make to do lists as often as I should, but my wife can't live without her lists.

[igorhelpsyousucceed]

Hey Kael,

I do "to do" lists every single day.
I don't imagine work get done without it

Igor

[Hilary]

I'm finding the 'Action Machine' a good replacement for lists on paper - it's the only software I've found that's as intuitive to use as pen and paper, and it lets me stay on top of a lot more stuff. It provides a very natural way to list actions by the day of the week to do them on, and also store a list of 'one-off' tasks as you think of them. And it times you as you do them, which is exactly what I needed to keep me from spending the whole day in my Inbox.
Get Things Done! - The Action Machine

[daryamconsult_aust]

I don't prepare a checklist for the next day, but I do write things down during the day as I think of them.
That way I don't forget, and I get everything I wanted done.

[Howard Fine]

I found this new product in another post that has improved my productivity substantially. I used to stare at my things to do list and wonder which to work on first. Now I simply end the day putting my top 10 items in here, just simply use the criteria of Importance and after going through the simple process, print out the results and have a prioritized list for the morning. The product is ChoiceAnalyst www choiceanalyst com

Cheers,

Howard

[Kael41]

One of the reasons I went ahead and instituted a check list mechanism into my wordpress installs was because it gave me order and efficiency. It seems that those 2 focus points lend themselves to "getting things done" so to speak. Never knew about the other programs available (thanks for posting them!) and used to be a fan of bootcamp for project management to do lists with accountability.

I think a major downfall in the life of a newbie marketer is the incapability to focus and press forward with a plan. Build out your to do list, and push on. At the end of the day you WILL feel accomplished because your list tells you so

Trust me, law school would have been much different for me if i didn't have my lists. You think item "#7)write 10 articles today and submit to 5 directories" is tough? Try #2) Read pages 121-245 outline major/dissenting views in Civ Pro tonight followed by #3) Read 298-377 in Crim..that'll teach you some work ethic lol

[JimmyD]

I don't use to do lists but desperately need to. Trouble is, I would imagine, sticking to it and not getting caught in distraction mode. That's my big problem.
On this subject does anyone use rememberthemilk.com, this was recommended to me recently but I haven't used it yet, but it looks pretty good.
Cheers
Jim

[DanGTD]

I use http://www.Gtdagenda.com for my checklists.

The checklists are highly configurable (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) and also you can set the number of times they have to be done.

Then it creates a series of checkboxes that you come to and check them off, as you complete each action.

Here's how it looks

[JonathanBoettcher]

Originally Posted by DanGTD

I use Gtdagenda.com for my checklists.

The checklists are highly configurable (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) and also you can set the number of times they have to be done.

Then it creates a series of checkboxes that you come to and check them off, as you complete each action.

Here's how it looks

Cool tip! That looks like a pretty handy site....