This is exactly what I do. You don’t have to do what I do, but it should give you some good ideas and you can do a variation of it. Since I started doing this I’ve noticed that I’m not only way more organized, I’m also getting a lot more done. I’m starting to get to projects that have been on the back burner, for a long time now.
Every night before I go to bed, I either grab a piece of paper and a pen or else open my excel. What I do is I have three columns. Each of these columns has a title. The first is High Priority, the second is Medium Priority and the third is Low Priority.
The rows are as many as I need. It usually varies each day. In these rows I have various tasks. They could include, mail a certain mailing list, writing a blog post or article, creating a product, etc. You could imagine what I’m talking about.
The really big projects, I break down into smaller tasks. As you could imagine. The most important tasks for the day are in the left column and the others are ranked in the other columns.
How do I figure out the importance of these tasks? Well, I like to try and meet my deadlines, but most of it is just common sense and stuff that I place certain levels of importance on.
The next night, whatever is left in high priority is moved up to the top of the list, whatever is medium might will either get moved over to high or just stay at medium. It all varies, sometimes I decide to delegate or outsource certain tasks and those are off the list.
You can figure out your own system, but it only takes me five or ten minutes to come up with my list each night. The great thing is that when I get up in the morning, I already have my whole day mapped out and I can just start working and completing tasks. The quicker that I get them done, usually the quicker my work day is over!
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice post u have here
Added to my RSS reader
Great little post Kris,… some good ideas there that I’ll add to my DTDL System.
Oops, DTDL stands for “Daily To Do List” BTW
(Ooops = “By The Way” ;0)
This is a good post. You know what I do? I have a whiteboard (dry erase) that I bought at Wal*Mart for $8. I put it up next to my computer. I write stuff on it, and when it’s done, i line it out.
IF I need more room, i erase the crossed out parts.
Hi Kris
Thanks for this information – it’s a great way to look at it and I’m going to start doing this right away.
I’m new to this stuff and sometimes find I’m like a rabbit in headlights!!
Billy
Great Tips Kris…..most of us do not understand the importance of setting priorities and we end up complaining at the end of the day we have insufficient time to complete our work…..
Ron Hirsu
http://www.e-healthytimes.com/blog
Twitter me: twitter.com/ronhirsu
Kris,
You consistently produce great free content. You are a blessing.
Thanks,
Bruce
That is such great advice! I need to start doing this with Excel. I use paper and pen, but then I end up with all kinds of unfinished lists!
Wow Kris!
Good ole Excel. I love it!
Good tips always keep coming from you…..
Another thing I like is to write just 1 to-do on a yellow sticky, put it on the board, highest priority at the top. When it’s done, just pull it off and throw it away! Very “visual” and it feels good to wad them up when completed….
Keep up the good work!
James
AWESOME tip James!
-Kris
Hey Kris, Great Post! I am like James tho, I love the sticky notes! They are all over my desk and all around the edge of my computer. I don’t seem to get the thrill of crumbling them up as often as I would like. I believe it’s called information overload! It seems you never find out it’s worthless unless you try it out! Have a Wonderful Day!
Timothy Millar
“The Leprechaun”
Tim@myseo-works.com
Greetings Kris Your post are as always very informative and benefit us all. Keep up the good work my friend
Kris I love it. Very good idea. I noticed that with each day I have more and more things to do and very disorganized but with your way it just makes a lot of sense.
Lead the way my friend.
Michael
thanksssssssssssssss
Hey Kris,
great post, to set priorities every day is my problem
Have a nice day
Urpo
Hey Kris this is a good artical! Do you have one for time theives? I have so many of those in my life sometimes I feel like runnin away!How do you deal with people who don”t take you and what you want to do seriously?And hog the pc for themselves?
Great post – here a few more “time” ideas – I think I’ll steal yours tho – : )
thanks for the post
http://www.martingover.com/203/time-control/
Hey Kris,
Been doing something like this but this is waaaaay more efficient. LOL
Appreciate your empowering post!
@ James: Thanks for the tip, too!
Hey Kris,
Good post…
I’ve heard a person should make a daily list of things to do, and put them in the order of there importance… I’ll just add, I try to keep something on me throughout the day to write with as an idea or something I need to do may come to mind… And so I don’t forget later which I tend to do…
Hey great tips, I wondered how you got so much done. :O)
zoey
hey I had the same idea – good work.Thanks
This daylight saving time has put light on my computer – and I have just discovered that a $5 bill folded does a really great job of getting the food out of my keyboard.
Thanks for your whole presentation. We need to get everyone off the streets and into a good intern program. What you are doing is most appreciated.
Thanks again Chris
Good tips, thanks Kris
Great little post Kris,… some good ideas there that I'll add to my DTDL System.
Oops, DTDL stands for “Daily To Do List” BTW
(Ooops = “By The Way” ;0)
Hi Kris
My day is so muddled i am going to try really hard to get better
thank you so much
very nice post I can see where this could really help with the organized chaos I go through each day…
but somehow I get things done.
Hey Kris:
Happy 2010!
Good information. I tried your suggestion and it does work. In an effort to keep down the clutter and sticky notes, and I am the Queen of sticky notes and clutter, I put the list in excel. Works well, just follow the remainder of your suggestions to keep the list up to date.
Cheers,
Peggy
Thank great tips
Great System! I’ll give it a try.
Hey Kris,
Thanx for the tips. I’ve been doing something similar for a while now that I learned from Earl Nightingale’s “Lead The Field”. Basically I make a list of the top six things to do the following morning in the order of their importance. Very effective indeed
Casper
Kris – I enjoy reading your posts. I have a question. Do you, or any of your readers have any suggestions or tips for me. Yes, I think I need some help. I work at home a lot. I have a great office here at home….but also have a 4-year old toddler boy. One who seems to be souped up with never-ending energy that can sometime wear me out within 5 minutes. How would you stay focused and get more done with a toddler running around the house. Some days he is great – other days he seems to be right there, right by your side every second. I love him so much, but what can I do to stay more focused, and get more done. Maria
Great Kris
It’s good way to get thing done by the sounds of it. It’s worth trying see if can’t put me in more organised way.
Thank you
.-= annette taylor´s last blog ..The Definitive Guide To Adwords By Perry Marshall =-.
To Maria@Canton I’m a mom of 7 and work from home. My youngest just turned one and her brother before her is 3 years. I get work done when she’s asleep. Get on my telecalls before she wakes up. You could also have some soft music playing to keep your toddler calm. Put on a child program that catches your toddler’s attention like Baby Road Trips video series, or TV – Treehouse TV. If he’s into cars or any new toy or a set of megablocks he’ll be occupied for quite a while. Hope this helps.
Great post. Making a list the night before really does get your mind in gear for the next day. I’ve used this method in the corporate world and helps you stay on track and now in my business. Keeps you from pulling your hair out.
Alicia
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Black History Month – Sidney Poitier – 1st Black Actor to Win Academy Award for Best Actor =-.
This is a great article, Maybe I should be the first one to borrow your concept and leave behind the African time management concept where Priority id dictated by need or urgency. .Perfect and I like this….
Jasper From Kenya
Kris,
Thanks for the tips. I like it.
Pongthanit
Bangkok, Thailand
Hey There:
Thought I would drop a note and tell everyone this systems rocks! This of course like everything else requires a little self discipline and patience. I must admit I am still addicted to my sticky notes, not so much on excel?
Regards,
Peggy