Task management has always been a staple to productivity, yet we often find ourselves warring with our to-dos.
We mourn over the pile of long-forgotten tasks that never ceases to haunt us. We rub our temples over the growing number of items piling up. We feel pressured over a task’s complexity, and so we put it off for another day.
The Problem with Multiple Task Lists
One of the most popular solutions is to organize tasks according to lists.
Instead of just one long master list that carries all of your to-dos, you now have shorter task lists for different purposes: groceries, personal errands, personal projects, work errands, client projects, and so forth.
Problem solved, right?
Unfortunately, even lists can pull you under their weight and leave you overwhelmed and stressed.
You’re now stuck working with multiple lists, each one with their own set of tasks that have yet to be done. Moreover, having multiple lists puts your brain on multi-task mode as we juggle task list after task list, and we know how ineffective this is to getting things done.
What’s the best solution, then?
One List to Rule Them All
The truth is that you only need a single task list to power through your daily to-dos, regardless of its purpose.
It’s neither your old and heavy master list, nor your Inbox or any of the three different lists that keep you going around in circles.
The only task list you’ll ever need to bulldoze through your daily to-dos is your Today list.
Showing just the tasks due today, the Today list is your middle ground, a safe haven where you can get things done without the pressure and frustrations of a never-ending pile of to-dos.
In short, it’s “inbox zero” for task management.
More importantly, the Today list is flexible enough that it empowers you to decide how else you want to spend your time.
Once you’ve managed to finish the day’s tasks, you can choose to either insert more tasks that you have time and energy for, or use the free time for leisure, hobbies, catching up at home, or meeting friends over coffee.
And because the task is marked as “due today,” the urgency pushes you to get these tasks done. There’s no longer room for procrastination or slacking off.
The Best Way to Use Your Today List
Working with the Today list is just as easy.
If you prefer paper for task management, simply list down tasks that you’ve set yourself to work on today. These tasks may have an impending deadline or they are things you can easily do.
On the other hand, you may prefer using a task management app to stay productive. Most of these apps are built with the Today feature, enabling you to focus on just the day’s tasks.
I personally use Wunderlist for task management, and I like how the Today list segregates the different to-dos by list names. Whether they are in my inbox, my Projects list, or my Groceries list, my mind simply processes these tasks simply as stuff I must do today.
Whatever your approach may be, you’re simply following this basic principle: if it’s something you can finish today, why put it off for tomorrow?
Today’s List Done
At the end of the day, with all of the day’s tasks filed away as “Complete,” you feel relaxed, productive, and fulfilled.
It’s a daily productivity win that leaves you feeling just as excited for tomorrow’s Today list.
Question: How many task lists do you use to stay productive and on track? Do you use a Today list to manage your tasks? You can leave a comment by clicking here.
I read this article and immediately went to Things and pared down my list to the things I am only going to do today or possibly do today.
My current today list had 18 tasks in it that were overwhelming me, 3 which had to be done today, 5 that were going to get done this weekend and 10 had no chance of even being looked at until Monday.
Thanks for the inspiration! Just what I needed on a Friday.
Nice! You’re very welcome @cyberhiker:disqus. 🙂
It does feel great when you’re able to look through your list and actually remove/tick off tasks that are either done or no longer necessary to do. The best part is when you reach “inbox zero” and reward yourself for completing all of your todos for the day.
Great job! 🙂
I don’t have a stand alone to do list.. i keep lists with my planner, so each day has a list of its own. I love this idea because focusing on what I have to do Today is critical, but I also have the freedom to schedule tasks for other days , e.g. a call I need to make in the future when someone gets back from vacation.
You’re on the right track Seana. I think a list for each day aligns with the purpose of the Today list in that you’d only focus on getting those tasks done for that particular day.
Thanks for reading! 🙂
I have fallen victim to the multiple list malaise. I need to do a better job of focusing on what is right in front of me. Good advice. Thanks.
You’re welcome, Scott! Handling multiple lists was a challenge that frustrated the heck out of me, so it was a relief to finally focus on just one single list with a set # of tasks.
Craig,
Do you use deadlines in Wunderlist and the built-in “Today” smart list or do you star items each day to create your list? I’ve played around with both tactics.
Hi John, just to chime in I use the deadlines feature to mark todos for “Today” and stars to make sure these tasks are always visible to me whenever I check Wunderlist. The stars symbolize urgency, and so I use them for crucial tasks w/ close deadlines.
Thanks Stef. So it sounds like there’s still a distinction to be made between deadlines and always-urgent-items?
Yup. And by starring items, they’re moved to the top of the list so you’ll always see them.
I gotcha. I’ll have to try that, thanks!
Sorry to miss this was a guest post by you and address my original comment to Craig, btw!
I have an unique task list on toodledo, but it’s huge (over 600 tasks). I use that different TODAY list. First I put things that worry me and need to be done today , then I check my toodledo list to add the remaining ones.