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"To Do" Lists Work, IF...

by vtotheyouknow
6 replies
...if they're set up a certain way!

Have you heard the expression "first things first, second things not at all" ?

Most people compile ginormous "to do" lists that create a feeling of burden, making it LESS likely that you'll actually cross things off.

I've found my productivity on a per-item basis skyrocketing with the following method of organizing a to do list.


1. Important item
2. Important item
3. Important item

****

(Everything else)

1. Stuff I need to do
2. Stuff I really don't want to do
3. Stuff I'll pay somebody else to do
4. Stuff I'll probably never do because it's not that important and won't make it to the top 3.

etc...
When you cross off one of the top 3 items, you go back down to your "everything else" list and cut and paste the most crucial item to your top 3.

This ensure that you're ONLY working on the highest-impact tasks for your business and not wasting time on small fish.

I find this method keeps me sane and focused on profitable activities without feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps it'll work for you as well. :-)
#lists #to do #work
  • Profile picture of the author Ferma231
    Also try to put your dream pic near to to-do list and it will work better
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  • Profile picture of the author smonline
    Agree with you.

    Some people take 5 or 6 items instead of 3 items in their most important tasks list for a certain day. After these most important items are done then they go to other things. It totally depends on how much time you have for the day.

    I have beed trying to stick with this strategy but it is not always easy to follow through it.

    Another important thing is taking one or two days completely off from work. This totally recharges me. When i get back to work i am completely fresh.

    It really helps to note down how much time you are working and how much time you are relaxing. We often forget to take care of our relaxation time, instead overwork, what happens due to this is we are less productive the next time we work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jeff Schuman
    I learned the value of a daily to do list from my dad who was an elementary principal for 40 years. He had a small piece of paper with things written all over it and as he completed them he marked them off. If something new came up he put it on the back of the page or started a new sheet for the next day.

    For things that took more than 1 day he just carried them over. The daily to do list has been the cornerstone of my sales success offline and now my IM success online over the last 10 years.

    Once you get in the habit of using it you will find the best way to do it for yourself in terms of prioritizing your list and time management. It works!
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  • Profile picture of the author GuruGuna
    Agree. The 80/20 rule says focus on the top three on your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author HostStage
    Personally, i do the following :

    I write up to 3 massive things to complete in the day and i include a tons of easy things i do naturally without a reminder. Therefore, i like the time when i need to tick it all and it remains this one thing i tried to skip. As i like my to do list to be clean and all ticked, i generally do it .

    I think my process should be improved but it happens to work here to get things done.

    Oh and Evernote is just great to carry things over the next day if needed !
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