To-do list?

11 years ago

I use a to-do list every single day.

It's a great way to stop yourself from spending time doing nothing or things that just aren't productive. I write those things down on my "dont-do" list..

I usually spend around 30 - 40 minutes in the morning thinking about what I need to do in the day while exercising. I find I come up with some of my best ideas when running or walking.

I always have my phone on me so it's pretty easy to note them down. As for how I break them up, when I think of an idea when exercising, it's usually something like "Finish work on a clients site". I don't go into too much depth first thing.

When I get back home and I've had a shower, I usually go a lot more in depth and break down each individual task.

For example: Finish work on a clients site

- Add the theme options page
- Do some cross-browser testing.
- Make sure the site is working correctly on mobile devices.

Depending on how complex each sub-task is, I might expand even further.

I'd love to know how other Warriors plan their days!

Joe Crosbie,

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Giftys

11 years ago

I also use a "To Do" every day. Admittedly, it can sometimes be hard to stay on track but I found using the timer on my iphone for each task helps me stay on course.

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IM Inc 11 years ago

With smart phone apps it has become very easy to keep a "to-do" list and set alerts for yourself. I used to carry a paper in my pocket until not too long ago

For me to-do list is kind of a reminder of what I need to accomplish in a given day. I go over it every night, review what I accomplished and what I couldn't. Any unfinished task is moved to the top of the list while new tasks are added at the bottom.
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AlexGeorge

11 years ago

I always keep a to-do list, and make sure to prioritize everything on it. I have software to keep track of things, and a notepad. I also try and set time limits on each thing so I'm not spending too much time on one thing or not getting distracted. It helps me get through things a lot more efficiently, and its a giant time saver.

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joesfortune

11 years ago

I can't get by without it. Mine, though is not really a list but a mental record of what to do for the day. Don't worry about its effectiveness. I have used this for as long as I can remember. Practice makes perfect, you know. Besides, it is paperless.

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keith88

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Mustafa Khundmiri

Warriors,

I'm a huge fan of finding new and interesting ways to boost productivity, while understanding the already proven methods/tools out there - such as a to-do list.

Which is why I was curious to know how many of you actually maintain a to-do list? And how do you go about breaking down your goals into tasks, and tasks into mini-tasks?

Keep it simple man. For me I just list everything that needs to get done and number it according to importance.

Theres a exercise I got from Kenster called the PMG exercise. Its one where you track your time and list everything as (P) Personal (M) Maintenance (G) Growth

Personal would be Facebook ,chatting ,eating
Maintenance would be blog posts, forum, reading, calling clients, talking to clients
Growth would be starting new campaigns, hiring workers to grow your business

The keyword is to make sure 80% of the time your GROWING your business instead of maintaining it.

Its a kick ass exercise.

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Kenster

11 years ago

Originally Posted by keith88

Keep it simple man. For me I just list everything that needs to get done and number it according to importance.

Theres a exercise I got from Kenster called the PMG exercise. Its one where you track your time and list everything as (P) Personal (M) Maintenance (G) Growth

Personal would be Facebook ,chatting ,eating
Maintenance would be blog posts, forum, reading, calling clients, talking to clients
Growth would be starting new campaigns, hiring workers to grow your business

The keyword is to make sure 80% of the time your GROWING your business instead of maintaining it.

Its a kick ass exercise.

The same exercise I do myself and I teach all my students.

If you are reading this...try it!!! You'll be glad you did

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LastingLifeSuccess

11 years ago

Yes. The To-Do list I use daily is my compass. That about says it all.

LLS

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vinness

11 years ago

I spend 20-30 minutes a day on my to-do list. I normally work on this the first thing in the morning. It helps me get organized the whole day. It limits wasted time and makes me more efficient.

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Michael Ten

11 years ago

I maintain and update a to do list. Part of it is based on my goals. I find it to be quite useful.

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ValentinCavelier

11 years ago

I use TO DO LISTS with evernote so that I can access everywhere.

I have different kinds of lists:
- Short term / Mid / Long
- Lists per project with 3 levels of priority so that I don't focus on minor tasks

What I like with evernote is that you can use boxes to check when it's done.

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jllagu01

11 years ago

I always keep a a to-do list with me. I plan my tasks at least 2-3 days before its deadline so that I don't lose track of what I should be doing and there's a sense of direction of what I need to be accomplished for that day. With so many to-do list software right now, you've got so many options on how to manage your time.

From my to-do list, I first choose most urgent list first, second the easiest and third is the complicated ones. I don't encourage you to get the complicated one's done first because you'll waste too much time on it. But there are times when I feel that there are items on my to-do list that I don't think is necessary to be done today, so I just schedule them some other time when it's convenient.

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Devin2290

11 years ago

I use a simple app called "Do!"

Every night when I get in bed, I list all the tasks I want to get done the next day.

I normally list a lot, from things like "draft new follow up sequence" to "clean out the microwave". Feels good to cross them off throughout the day.

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Jennifer1987

Banned 11 years ago

This makes my day so much easier.

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Jennifer1987

Banned 11 years ago

Do you use the computer or a day planner

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Jennifer1987

Banned 11 years ago

The Google Planner is the easiest to use.

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Benjamin Farthing

11 years ago

I've used a few to-do list apps, but I always come back to my whiteboard.

Sunday night I write out my weekly goals. Then I break them down into daily tasks.

As an example, here's what's on there right now:

Weekly:
3500 words in my novel
Finish my 4 current copywriting projects
Send out 6 proposals
Cold contact 20 potential clients

Mon:
500 words in my novel
Finish copywriting project X
Send out 2 proposals
Cold contact 5 potential clients

(You get the idea)

I have a smaller whiteboard right in front of my desk where I list the specific goals for that day, and I cross them off as I get them done.

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Windzal 11 years ago

1. Brainstorm all things I want or need to accomplish following week.
2. Add sub-tasks and calculate approx time of each task.
3. Break them down into daily tasks.
4. Number them by importance (1,2,3...)

Aditional, I have tasks-habits I do every day, e.g. reading book >60min
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Bent SEO

11 years ago

I use 2 techniques for productivity:

#1 - A short daily to-do list, I do at the end of the previous workday.

#2 - Pomodoro Technique - If you're not familiar with it, it's great. Google it.

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DoubleOhDave

11 years ago

Some great ideas here!

I use a few Chrome extensions that really help - Strict Workflow (which is for Pomodoro technique that Bent SEO mentioned) and Any.do are great along with Evernote.

Question though:

How do you decide beforehand what is a profitable activity?

Sometimes that seems like quite an intangible idea to me when in many cases none of can be sure the outcome of what we are doing will make money.

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Warranty

11 years ago

I think that's it's "Don't Do Lists" are even important.

I,personally,spend a lot of time procrastinating on all sort on unimportant things.
Forums spending time are ones.

I use Todoist.com
It's free, but I upgraded it.

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HeadStartSEO

11 years ago

I'm old fashioned; I keep a pencil and paper in my pocket and write down any thoughts or important information as it comes up.

Crucial for my own sanity: writing down each and every thought before going to bed. I sleep a lot better and wake up with less bullshit swimming around in my brain.

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rbates

11 years ago

A "To-do" list is only as good as the person who writes it.
As is said time and time again in by successful marketers,
it is all about taking action. Unless a to-do list is actually
used, it is worthless.

All of these online gimmicks are just that. I guess that some
people use them successfully, but what if your internet
connection goes down?

Why not just get a notebook and a pen and start writing.
Checkmark and set some times to get the most important things done.
When you finish a task, just put a line through the topic.

However, it boils down to whatever works. Everyone is different.