How to Write an Effective To-Do List

I remember trying out my first hour-by-hour schedule to help me get things done when I was 10. Wasn’t really my thing. I’ve since retired the hourly schedule, but I still rely on a daily to-do list. I went through the same motions every night in university. I wrote out, by hand, my to-do list for the next day, ranked by priority. Beside each task I wrote down the number of hours each task should take. This was and still is a habit and finding a system that works has been a struggle for me. I’ve tested out a variety of methods, bought a number of books on the subject, and experimented: color-coded writing, Post-it note reminders in the bathroom, apps, Day-Timers — you name it, I’ve tried it. So I went on an adventure to figure out the most effective way not only to write my daily to-do list but to get more things done. The Brief History of the To-Do List Charles Schwab was a steel tycoon and a man obsessed with output and economic efficiency. He was one of the first Americans to introduce a time-saving workflow process, called Taylorism, in his factories. In the early 1900s, Schwab sent out a memo stating that he would handsomely reward the individual who could improve productivity among his employees. Ivy Lee, the father of public relations, met up with Schwab and suggested the following: Each employee should write down six tasks every day, rank them from highest to lowest priority, and immediately get to work on the first task. They should continue making thei...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatrists and Psychologists Authors: Tags: Brain and Behavior College General Habits Industrial and Workplace Psychology Self-Help Students Success & Achievement Technology Brief History Charles Schwab Daily To Do List Day Timers Early 1900s Economic Efficiency Fact Source Type: blogs