How to Organize a To Do List to Fit Your Needs

Organize your to do list to make the best use of your time.

Many people use to do lists to keep track of tasks big and small that must get done. If you are looking for ways to use your to do list more effectively -- so you can accomplish more in the time you have each day -- consider organizing your list to better fit your needs. There are a few tricks you can use to improve how you use a to do list so you can get the most important things done.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Notepad
• Pen or pencil
• Colored pens or markers (optional)

1. Divide the pages of your notepad into two vertical columns by drawing a line down the middle. Use the right column for tasks that must be done today and the left column for future to do items.

2. Break up large projects into smaller tasks that you can complete in two hours or less. Write down these tasks in the order in which you feel they need to be done. Leave room to assign possible due dates to them.

3. Reduce time spent on errands or appointments by grouping together to do items logically. Make a plan to get groups of things done in one outing, anticipating how much time it will take you to complete each errand.

4. Separate work tasks and home tasks by drawing a horizontal line across the middle of the pages of your notepad. Write job-related items at the top of the to do list and personal items at the bottom.

5. Develop a color-coding system to prioritize tasks. For example, write or underline the most urgent tasks in red ink, mark grouped tasks with green ink and keep low-priority tasks in black ink.

References

• MindTools: To Do Lists - The Key to Efficiency