If you make TODO lists often but fail to complete the tasks assigned in the ToDo list, then chances are that you are not making the ToDo list correctly, or you are keeping too many tasks in the todo list, or something else.
In this article, we will share with you some tips and tricks to guide you to make a todo list that gets things done.
Is your to-do list effective? Is it pushy enough to make you prioritize the right tasks? Or is it just a list that has endless items on it which make you feel guilty for not being able to do any of them? A good to-do list should be at your service not you at its mercy.
The really good to-do lists will set you off in the correct direction regularly and help you focus on the tasks you think should be prioritized.
This is what you can do to make a good to-do list.
1. Choose the Right App (or Paper)
First, you need to decide where you are going to keep the to-do list. You should be very frequent with the app or notebook wherever you put your list or you might just not stick with it.
It has to be noted that there are many fancy apps around, but if you are comfortable with paper, then there is nothing wrong with it. Similarly, a word document or an excel sheet would also work just fine. Whatever it may be, you must be regular on it.
That being said, digital to-do lists have several advantages over paper, which you should go through at least once.
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You can update the information very quickly as they are very easy to edit,
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You get the built-in reminder options,
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The list is saved in the cloud so there are very few chances of losing it,
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There are different ways according to which you can sort your tasks.
Some of the recommended market to-do lists are Todoist, Asana, and Things. There are many other options though and new apps are constantly being made. So you should check out the app store and find the right app according to your preferences.
2. Make More Than One List
Try not to have just one to-do list. You should have lists for different aspects of your life, like a Worklist, Read list, Household chores list, etc. This way you can focus on the particular list and not get distracted by the other aspects of your life. If you are at work you do not want to be disturbed by your household chores list.
Don’t hold back, make a list for every sub-category you can think of.
3. Write Your Tasks Down Immediately
Whenever you are given a new task or you think of a new task, make sure you write it down immediately. Once it is written down you don’t need to think about it the whole time anymore. So now you can purge the thought from your brain.
If on your app there is a shortcut for adding a new task, make sure that you learn it and use it frequently. If you are using paper, you should always have a scrap of paper along with you so that you can quickly jot down a new task. And then add it to your official list later on.
4. Assign Due Dates
Just add the date a task is due or when you want to be done with the task. Knowing the due date helps you prioritize your tasks accordingly.
Yes, the tasks might not have a fixed due date but still adding one helps you anyway, mainly for two reasons.
When you know the due date, you are aware of the tasks that are due today and that helps you get a sense of how the day would go.
Also, it helps you to effectively plan your week, thus helping you plan your week very effectively.
5. Revise Your To-Do Lists Daily
Begin your day by looking at your to-do list and assessing all the activities that are scheduled and plan your day accordingly.
If you have many tasks on your list, set your priorities straight.
6. Limit Yourself to 3–5 Tasks Daily
What is your daily task limit?
You must identify your daily task limit and set up your list accordingly. There is absolutely no point in listing more activities in your list than you can actually perform, it will just make you feel guilty.
Your daily limit could be anywhere between 3-5 tasks Daily in the beginning. Yes, it might not sound like a lot, but if you could write down the three most important things you will find out that focusing on three things in a day is already a little tough to get through.
Also, when you finish all your tasks regularly it can be very self-assuring and will help you to keep going on.
7. Do Not Put Goals, But Tasks On Your To-Do List.
You must write down the tasks on your to-do list and not objectives and goals.
Goals are abstract aims and achievements. They are difficult to be understood in simpler terms. For example “become fluent in English”. This wouldn’t have much of an effect on your to-do list.
Objectives on the other hand are milestones on the way to reaching that goal. These are very specific and quantifiable. For example “ be able to hold a conversation about a movie in English for 5 minutes”. This is more likely to help you get better.
Check Those Boxes
A really good to-do list will help you go a long way to achieving the best personal productivity. It is such a joyous feeling to find the best task app and process that is just for you. Checking off the tasks on your list gives you the feeling of accomplishment and helps you in getting organized.
