Foolproof To-Do Lists: 3 Steps to Clarity

30 Jun Foolproof To-Do Lists: 3 Steps to Clarity

Foolproof to-do lists: 3 steps to clarity that will change your life, like this fool-jester reading his to-do list ever so carefully. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

Foolproof To-Do Lists

I have a foolproof system for my to-do list. This post is written with compassion for people who don’t, and would like to.

I don’t use an electronic calendar, so that makes it much simpler.

But I’ve thought and thought about how to boil down my foolproof steps for you whether you use an electronic calendar or whether you’re like me.

And I have the three steps.

But I need your help: if these steps don’t work for you, I want to know. Read to the end, and see my questions for you there.

3 Steps to Clarity

1. Keep a complete list of everything you need to remember to do.

Make sure it includes absolutely everything except things like peeing, pooping, eating, sleeping, and laughing because these are things you know to to do when it’s time.

IF you are someone who has trouble finding time to sleep, or eat (or poop–I know people like that!), include those things on your list.

This is your master list. Yes, it will take time to create. Take the time.

You can include each thing just once.

You do not need to look ahead and forecast more stuff to put on your list. Just put down what you know you need to remember.

2. Refer to your list every day.

Each day, sit down with your list to cross off the things you’ve gotten done on your list that day. At this time, add things you know you need to remember that aren’t on the list yet.

It is easier if you do this at the same time each day and you schedule that time in your calendar, to do it.

Be patient. You will get tired of this soon. Then you will be ready for awesome step #3.

3. When you get tired of reading the entire list each and every day, guesstimate what you can get done on your list tomorrow.

Put just those things on your to-do list for tomorrow.

Schedule them so they show up on your calendar if you use an electronic calendar. Best is to schedule them for a time you actually will do them. 

(This is why I love not using an electronic calendar. I have two columns I create on every date of my paper datebook. Along the left side of each little day’s section, the times of the day are listed. I keep appointments on the left. But along the right, I keep space for what I’m going to get done that day. My to-do list. I also have one more thing I do that, if you have got to this point in this post, and you’ve begun to work my foolproof system, and you email me at [email protected], I will share with you.)

Now, add this one thing to your master list: “Guesstimate what I can get done tomorrow.” When you get to that item on your list tomorrow, you will guesstimate what you can get done on your list the next day.

Put just those things on your to-do list for that day.

Schedule it!

Make sure one of the items you will do that day is guesstimate what you can get done off your list the next day. This step is why the system is foolproof.

Repeat.

Do not be afraid to put everything you need to remember to do on your master list. The main list. The list in #1. You will not be able to get it all done and if you adopt this method strictly, you will not need to get it all done yet it will still be foolproof.

Questions? Cavils? Comments? Special situations? Bring ’em on!