5 Ways To Make A Good To-Do List

5 Ways To Make A Good To-Do List

Photo Courtesy: Courtney Dirks

Have you ever thought that the way in which you make your to-do list can heavily affect your productivity? If you’re not being able to finish your tasks on time, follow our tips to make smart, effective, error-free to-do lists and you’ll be reaching zeniths of productivity in no time.

1. Use the medium you are most comfortable with

There is no rule in the world which says that you have to use Google Calendar or fancy Smartphone apps to make your to-do lists. If you are comfortable with pen and paper or sticky notes, then that’s the best way to go. Being comfortable with your medium is the first step in making effective to-do lists.

2. Put timelines to all your tasks

The biggest way you affect your productivity adversely is by not putting deadlines or time codes on your tasks. In order to make to-do lists effectively, you have to put an imaginary time restraint function. Otherwise that task will always remain on your list, but will never get done.

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3. Differentiate between a task and a project

Have you suddenly realized the fact that what you have mentioned as one task in your to-do list, has actually turned out to be a series of tasks to be done over a few days? In order to make to-do lists effectively, this is a common mistake that you need to steer clear of. First think and determine, is it a task or a project?

4. Use active language instead of passive

Here’s a small yet potent tip on making to-do lists. Instead of writing down “The phone bill has to be paid on Tuesday” in passive voice, write “I have to pay the phone bill on Tuesday”. Can you see the difference in the tone? Trust us friends, tweaking language will go a long way in helping you make to-do lists effective.

5. Update and review your to-do lists everyday

Believe it or not, we know people who make elaborate multiple to-do lists but never bother to tick off the tasks that have been successfully completed or make comments against tasks that are left pending. You have to take out the time to review, update and think through your tasks. Managing your to-do list is a must!