How To Properly Make A To Do List

Since I like to endlessly emphasize the importance of staying organized and having a To Do list, I thought I'd show you exactly how I make mine.

Supplies: Paper, Pen, & Highlighters. Also, probably stuff you need to do.

Title your list. Ideally, with a rough idea of the due date you intend. Next, add categories. I used Money, Family, Career, and Groundwork. Feel free to change these according to your personal needs. Assign a color for each, and create a key in the corner. I use Groundwork for things that are impeding me from completing another item on the To Do list in another category.

Make your list. Try to be as specific as possible. If necessary, break down one item into steps, probably on a new sheet of paper.

Color code your list according to your categories. If one doesn't fit into any of the categories, no biggie, we'll deal with those next.

Those ones that didn't fit anywhere get a new category: Extra. Assign a color. These are Extra because most likely, it doesn't matter if you get around to these anytime soon.

Estimate the amount of time each task will take. For shorter projects, guess as accurately as you can. Longer projects never estimate over 2 hours, just add a plus sign. This is indicative of projects you should be working on periodically without getting discouraged by it saying 12 hours or some ridiculousness next to it, even though it could totally take that long. Pro tip: If you have kids, add extra time in for distractions and interruptions.

And now you have a fully functioning, really organized To Do list. Generally, I get the Family stuff outta the way first, cuz those are the ones that will have other people bugging you if they don't get done. Money should always be next if possible. Sometimes Groundwork has to come next. Prioritize the categories how you see fit. Try and complete a whole category before you move onto another one. This is also useful if you have a chunk of time and aren't exactly sure what you should start. Pick a project you can finish in the time allotted, even if that means jumping out of order. The more you get done the more accomplished you'll feel, thus making it more likely you'll keep being productive.

Now get to work!