Your Todo List Doesn’t Forget

Last night before bed, I remembered something really important that I needed to do.

I was tired and thought, “Wow, I really need to take care of that tomorrow.”

This morning, I couldn’t remember what it was.

Yet, when I looked at my todo list, there it was. I had the foresight to write the task on my todo list before turning in for the night.

Even though I had forgotten the task, my list had not.

Get It On Your List

Todo lists exist for a reason: to track the tasks you need to get done.

You keep a list so that you don’t have to remember everything.

That is what your list is for. Make sure you are using it to its full potential.

Get those tasks on your list, so that it can do it’s job.

“One of the main jobs of your todo list is to remember tasks so that you don’t have to.” (Tweet Quote)

Don’t try to keep those extra todos (even short-term ones) in your head.

Rather, get them off your mind and onto your list. This allows you to maximize concentration on what you are actually doing.

Here are 6 Tips to Help You Maximize the Productivity of Your Todo List:

1. Write it down….NOW – When you think of a task you need to perform, write it down immediately on your todo list. Don’t wait, you could forget it. Don’t try to keep it in your head, it will only distract you from concentrating on your current work.
2. Put It In the Right Place – Make sure you put todos on your list. Not in your notebook. Not on a scrap of paper or Post-It. Put todos where they belong. Similarly, if the item is an appointment it belongs on your calendar. Or if it is a note, it goes straight into your notebook.
3. If in Doubt, Add It To Your List – Don’t hesitate to add even the smallest of tasks to your list. Better to have captured that todo that to let it slip by. You can always delete it later if it is inconsequential. (See #5)
4. Build Momentum – Adding even mundane tasks to you list can be a great motivator, because checking things off your list feels good. That is why you find yourself adding todos that you have already completed… just so you can cross them off!
5. Groom Your List – You have to work your list. It requires upkeep, maintenance, and pruning.  Spend time editing, adding, and even deleting items from your list.
6. Look at Your List – Making a list won’t do you any good, if you never look at it again. (Ever find an old list you abandoned?) Keep your list front-and-center. Look at it regularly. Visibility to your tasks leads to action.

Let Your List Do Its Job

Your todo list is there to help you.

Let it do its job of reminding you of the things you need to do and the order in which to do them.

So, get those tasks out of your head on to your list now.

Let your list remember, so that you don’t have to.

When your list reminds you of something you didn’t remember, then you know it’s working.

Question: When was the last time your list reminded you of a task you had forgotten? You can leave a comment by clicking here.