How to create an effective to-do list and stick to it

All of the most successful people have a to-do list. Having a well crafted to-do list is a great tool to manage your time and energy efficiently. However, creating a to-do list is only the first step, the most important one is sticking to it.

What is a to-do list and why is it so important ?

A to-do list is simply a list of all the tasks you have to do. You can write down anything on your to-list, personal, professional, studies tasks.
To-do lists are essential to increase productivity, to stay organized and focused but they can be counterproductive if you don’t take the time to prioritize and organize your tasks beforehand. 

Doing your to-do list effectively and sticking to it will allow you to manage your time and energy much better which means you will be more productive, less stressed and you will be able to finish your tasks on time.

10 tips to create an effective to do list & stick to it?

1. Write down all of your taks

Take one or two hours once a week to write down everything you have to complete. It can be tasks for your personal life, work, studies etc.

2. Break large tasks into smaller ones

If you have large tasks to do and you know they will take multiple days to complete, consider breaking them into smaller ones, this way they will look more approachable and you will be less likely to procrastinate when you see bite-sized tasks.

3. Prioritize

Not all of your tasks are equal, to make sure the right tasks are done on time, prioritizing them is crucial. There are many methods you can use to help you identify your priorities such as the ABCDE method or Eisenhower Matrix.

You can find more details about these two method in a previous post:
How to prioritize your work and to be productive

4. Include a deadline

Finishing all your tasks is great but it doesn’t really matter if you finished them too late. Take the habit to always put a deadline next to your tasks (even if you don’t have one). This way you will know exactly what and when things need to be done.

5. Make it clear

For a to-do list to be effective you have to make it clear, fast and easy to read. Don’t make long sentences, use keywords instead.

For instance: Let’s say you have to pick up your 2 kids from school at 4pm

Instead of writing: “I have to pick up “kid’s name 1” and “kid’s name 2” from school at 4pm”
Write something like: “Pick up kids, School, 4pm”

Go straight to the point of what you have to do and you will gain plenty of time.

6. Set realistic goal

I know it can be tempting to fill your to-do list with many tasks to feel like you are busy. But it’s important to be realistic about what you can actually do per day. Adding too many tasks on your to-do list can be overwhelming and can lead to frustration because you didn’t finish everything.

Being realistic will make your list more approachable and will allow you to actually be more productive and boost your sense of accomplishment.

7. Use time blocking

This method consists of dividing your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to one activity/task. Allocating specific time blocks for your different tasks can ensure you stay focused and make you gain time.

8. Use an app

Take advantage of technology and productivity tools. You can find a lot of different apps to create your to-do list, set reminders.
Digital to-do lists have many benefits such as being available everywhere and customizable, you  can also change the order of your tasks easily, add additional context etc.
However, be careful to not let these apps become a distraction.

9. Celebrate your progress

Big or small, progress is progress and you should celebrate all of them. Every time you check something off your to-list it means you have accomplished something.
Taking the time to congratulate yourself is important for your self-esteem and it should become a habit.

10. Find an accountability partner

Find someone who can encourage you and hold you accountable. Whether it’s a friend, family member or mentor sharing your to-do list and goals can be a great idea to help you stay committed to your plan.

I hope you found some helpful tips in this post !