Tag: To Do List App

Crafting the Perfect To-Do List

Crafting the Perfect To-Do List

While researching productivity practices and challenges, I found that approximately 80% of us use some sort of calendar to manage and keep track of our time. We diligently enter in meetings, appointments, birthdays and other reminders. However, surprisingly, I also found that 80% of us do not have any system or methodology for tracking our tasks.

Some of us jot tasks down on a piece of paper but don’t have the list with us when we remember something else that we need to do. So, this list ends up being incomplete. Some use a notebook or try to remember tasks by adding notes or reminders on our phones. Others just hope that somehow it will all just get done.

So, why aren’t we using some sort of system, process or list to manage our tasks? Because most of them just don’t really work and often it becomes more work to maintain the list than to do the tasks. Here’s what you need to do to create a to-do list that will actually help you get things done.

KEEP ONE CENTRAL LIST 

The most critical element in developing a system that will work is to create and maintain all your tasks in one single to-do list. It’s best to keep track of everything you need to do on your Smartphone using the Notes or a task management app so your list is always with you as tasks come up. This makes it much easier to review, prioritize and determine what to tackle when.

PRIORITIZE

Don’t try to get everything done all at once. Many people fail to use to-do lists because they find them to be too overwhelming. While the list should contain everything you need or want to get done, you must prioritize the top three things you need to do each day so it’s more manageable and achievable. Schedule time in your day to focus on completing your top three prioritized tasks.

CLEANSE YOUR LIST

Spend a few minutes each day reviewing your list and updating it. Don’t be afraid to change your priorities during the day as things come up and challenge yourself to delete tasks from your list as well. Often, when a task lingers on your list for several weeks, it’s an indicator that it may not be that important.

CREATE SMALLER TASKS

Make sure to enter tasks that are clear and actionable in a set amount of time. Frequently, people get frustrated with their lists because nothing ever gets done. Make sure your tasks are broken down into each step along the way. For example, instead of adding a to-do to “Plan the party” start with “Set Date for the Party.” Once that’s done, then add “Create Guest List” and “Draft Party Invitation.”

TRY THIS OUT: How are you currently keeping track of your tasks? Are they all listed in one place? If not, start a central list or download a task management app like priorigami? After you get in the habit of keeping all your to-do’s in one list, check back to see how your tasks match up to these recommendations.

The Magic of Having One To-Do List

The Magic of Having One To-Do List

Much has been written and debated about whether or not you need to have a to-do list. According to my informal research, some people are able to remember everything in their heads, others have many, many lists and notes all over the place, and only 12% of respondents say they maintain one centralized list of all of their tasks.

As a life-long maker and maintainer of a to-do list, I can attest to the value of establishing and maintaining one central list of all of your tasks. It can be paper, digital or you can use my new app, priorigami: the art of productivity. Here are the magical benefits of having a single to-do list.

FREE YOUR MIND

Any given day there are a million random thoughts running through your head. By writing all of your tasks down, you can relieve your mind from having to remember everything and free it to do the important work. While our brains are really good at solving problems or being creative, they are not good storage solutions.

CREATE A HOME FOR YOUR TASKS

If you have one list, you have a single home for all your tasks. You don’t need to keep a variety of lists, reminders or Post-it notes but instead you will have created a place to house everything you need to do. You no longer need to keep reminding yourself to remember to get something done. The list will do it for you.

PICK YOUR PRIORITIES

If everything you need to do is in one place, it makes it a lot easier to prioritize and select tasks to focus on. When you have a free moment, review your list and you’ll be instantly reminded of what needs attention and which tasks should to rise to the top. You won’t need to remember to look in several different places just to find out what’s most important.

FEEL GREAT

The real magic of having a to-do list is the pleasure that comes with checking things off the list when they are complete. I have been known to add items to my list that are already done just to be able to check them off. It’s a proven fact, that checking items of a list results in a dopamine rush which makes us feel good and in turn, motivates us to do more.

So, what’s holding you back? Create your list today by downloading priorigami and start reaping the magical benefits of your to-do list.

Not Just Another To-Do List App

Not Just Another To-Do List App

About six months ago, I decided I wanted to figure out how to help people be more productive so they could spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time on the things they enjoy. And so, I set out to create the “FitBit” for productivity.

I read as many books and blogs on productivity best practices, tried countless apps and tools, conducted surveys and ethnography studies and found that we don’t just need another to-do list app. Most of us know how to create to-do lists and in fact, most of us have many, many lists. There are a million ways to create lists including a good, old-fashioned pen and a piece of paper. Creating lists is not the problem.

We struggle with what to do once we have a list.  As our lives have become more hectic, demanding and complex, it’s hard to prioritize tasks, avoid distractions and stay focused on completing tasks.  This is what I want to try to help solve.

With fitness, we know we should walk 10,000 steps in a day and limit our caloric intake to less than 2,000 calories a day.  But, this is much easier said than done.  Until FitBit came along and turned these goals into a daily challenge that became fun and rewarding.

To that end, I am proud and excited to introduce you to priorigami: the art of productivity.

priorigami.png

This is not just another to-do list app.  This app is designed to help you manage, prioritize and complete tasks more efficiently so you can spend more time doing the things that really matter to you.

It’s simple:  enter your tasks and we’ll remind you to select your Daily Top Three.  We’ll remind you to Shuffle and prioritize your tasks to make sure you’re focusing on the most important ones.  We will also encourage you to get things done and track your progress along the way.

For now, this is just a bare bones MVP available for iOS devices through the App Store.  But it is a good starting point.  And, it’s completely FREE for you to use.

You no longer need to feel overwhelmed by your list of tasks or deflated by having too much to do. Start feeling good about getting things done. Download it now and immediately enjoy the benefits of priorigami.