7 of 23

Write now Article Tools

To do or not to do...that is the question. A to-do list is useless if one of your items is organize the to-do list. Keep it short! Make a list 5 or so items that need doing. If the list is short, you generally do not need a prioritizing system to make it work. However, long or short, there are some things that you can do to increase the value of your to-do list.

Arrange the projects in order of size based on the amount of time they will require.
Put short projects at the top. Put longer projects at the bottom. Always put some of each on your list. By doing this, you will not end up with a list of long projects that you cannot possibly get done which all need to be completed at the same time. If an item is a relatively high priority project, you may want to flag it in some way as a reminder to make sure it gets done today.
Shorter projects help keep you motivated when long projects seem to be dragging along.
Short projects give you a sense of accomplishment and create a desire to keep going. If you have an exceptionally long and involved task, try breaking it into three to five small ones. If time allows, do a piece or two as a short project on sequential days.
Do important urgent projects as they come up rather than adding them to the list if possible.
Most people can keep up with the world if they do the important urgent projects as they arise without adding them to the list. These are things that have to be done now or very soon. They are also projects that will affect other items on your to-do list if they are not finished first.
Keep a low priority item or two on your list.
Your to-do list should always include at least one low priority item. This will give you the flexibility to push it off if a more important project pops up. It will also keep the lower priority tasks from becoming urgent in a few days. Try to complete any to-do list the day you create it. This will keep your list from growing lengthy with items that cannot be delayed, or those things that you just do not like doing.
Assign to-do list items to other people when it is possible.
If someone else can do an item on your list, try to pass it off. Leave it on your list to remind yourself to make sure that it was done. It's always quicker to check up on someone else than to do it yourself. If you can hand of several items off to others, it will help you accomplish more tasks and larger tasks each day.

Learn more about this author, Allen Teal.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Strategies for crossing items off your to-do list?
We want to hear your view. Write now!