How to Make a To-Do List

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (7 Ratings)

Invest just a little time planning your day, and accomplish more things smoothly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Step1
Set aside 10 to 15 minutes before you go to bed or as soon as you wake up in the morning to jot a to-do list for the day.
Step2
Use any format that is comfortable for you'try writing in your daily planner. Make sure your list is on one page and can be carried with you wherever you go.
Step3
Try assigning tasks to hourly slots, even if exact timing isn't crucial.
Step4
Fill in preset, mandatory appointments such as business meetings or child-pickup times.
Step5
Prioritize tasks in order of urgency, and write those down before less important ones.
Step6
Figure out when, during the day, you are most productive and alert. Schedule the more demanding tasks during these times.
Step7
Schedule an easy job after a difficult one or a long task after a short one to keep yourself stimulated.
Step8
Indicate time for breaks and time to spend with family and friends.
Step9
In addition to your daily schedule, keep an ongoing list of projects that you need to accomplish, but haven't penciled into your daily list ' things to fix around the house, bills to mail, people to call. Update this list at least once a week.
Step10
Try keeping a list of long-term goals. For example, you might be planning to remodel your home or return to school for an advanced degree.
Step11
Make a running list for leisure or entertainment goals - books to read, videos to rent, restaurants/bars/clubs to try. Write down names as you hear or read about them.

Tips & Warnings

  • Schedule things comfortably, allowing time for unexpected delays or mishaps; avoid an impossibly tight timetable.
  • Be sure to list everything you need to accomplish'the more you can account for, the more smoothly your day will run and the less you need to remember.
  • Break down large projects into specific tasks before writing them down on your list.
  • Feel free to revise your list, as necessary, as the day goes on.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When you've done a task, CROSS them out. Reward is the name of the game.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Make a to-do list and follow it. Then you'll be organized!

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 I do my shopping every 2 weeks. I printed out a 2 week menu with a shopping list on the back and then laminated the list. I did this for 6 weeks. I now have 3 master lists. I use dry erase markers to cross out items on shopping lists, and wipe them clean when I am done. I store these in a binder, with other laminated lists. I have one for monthly , bi-monthly and seasonal chores. I have also found that this works for my older children as well, for their daily chores. This way they don't forget anything they are suppose to do.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Get a big piece of paper, and write down three headings: A, B and C. Think of everything you need to do and write it under one of the headings according to how urgent or important it is. Then do all the urgent stuff on the A list first, followed by the B's and then the C's. C's tend to be long term tasks and somewhat more pleasurable, like finishing a tapestry.

bobb22 said

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on 3/11/2008 Okay, I agree with making a to do list but isn't it a lot easier to do it online..... there lots of online ones that are pretty good like http://www.zotodo.com/ or TaDaList (personally I like ZoToDo better, but..)

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eHow Article:  How to Make a To-Do List

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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