A to-do list is a list of tasks that you want to complete. They are one of the most simple and effective tools to boost productivity and eliminate procrastination. The benefits of do-do lists are many:

• They let you get ideas out of your head and onto paper, so they distract you less.
• They reduce the chance you will be overwhelmed by multiple tasks.
• They help you clarify your thoughts and goals.
• They help you use time wisely.
• They free up memory and mind space for other things.
• They remind you of things you need to do and reduce the chance of forgetting something important.
• They encourage you to do things that you might otherwise let drop out of your plans.
• They can boost motivation.
• Completing and checking off tasks can feel rewarding and boost your likelihood of completing future tasks.
• They can show you your accomplishments and boost your self-esteem.

Use whatever to-do list makes sense to you, whether on paper or in an app. The best to-do lists should:

• be quick and easy to use;
• be with you at all times; and
• have a way to signify task completion, for example: striking through the task with a pencil or ticking a check box on an app.

Other helpful features of a to-do list include the ability to:

• include deadlines;
• delegate tasks; and
• prioritize items.

To-do List Tips

You can have multiple to do-lists for different parts of your life. It can help to:

• use separate to-do lists for work and home;
• create to-do lists for different situations like grocery shopping or visiting the hardware store; or
• create lists for a specific period, like a daily to-do list, or a list of items you want to complete in a given month.

Each item on the list should be an action rather than just a reminder. Avoid generic items like “dinner” and use specific actions like “buy ingredients for dinner” and “prepare dinner.”

To-do lists work best when every item is small and simple. Try to make a list item for one step in every project rather than a list item for each project. The example of seeing a doctor, which is a relatively common task, can involve multiple steps, including:

• finding the doctor’s number;
• calling the doctor’s office to book an appointment;
• considering what you want to discuss; and
• attending the doctor’s office for the appointment.

Starting a multi-action task like ‘see the doctor’ requires you to decide what actions to take each time you read the task. Multiple actions looked at together are more intimidating than they are when looked at individually. This creates a higher mental barrier to beginning the task and a greater likelihood that you will procrastinate. It may seem excessive to break down relatively simple tasks to this extent, but the lower the barrier to starting a task, the more likely you will be to complete it. Procrastination doesn’t just arise for difficult tasks. It often occurs because the task is competing for your mental energy with every other thing you have to do or think about.

As you start using a to-do list, you might notice that there are tasks you never get around to doing. If a task has been on your to-do list for a few weeks, it’s time to reassess it. Ask yourself:

• Can the task be broken down into smaller steps?
• What is causing my resistance to this task?
• How can I overcome that resistance?
• Would a reward motivate me to complete the task?