To-Do Lists and Checklists

Lists for different jobs

The to-do list template is the all-rounder. For a plan for today, use the daily to-do list; to spread tasks across the week, the weekly to-do list. When the list is long, the priority to-do list sorts tasks into must-do, should-do and could-do. At work, the task list adds owners, due dates and status.

Checklists for routines

Checklists are for things done the same way every time. The daily checklist and weekly checklist cover routines such as opening up, cleaning or end-of-week reports; the simple checklist works for anything else. For team procedures, see the SOP checklist, and to choose what matters most, the task priority matrix.

Getting more done with a list

A to-do list works best when it is short enough to finish. Write everything down first so nothing is forgotten, then pick three to five tasks for today and put the rest on a later list. Write each task as an action you can start, such as call the dentist to book a check-up, rather than a vague word like dentist. Do the hardest task early in the day when you have the most energy, and move unfinished items to tomorrow's list deliberately rather than letting them pile up. At the end of the week, look back at what got done; it is a good way to notice tasks that keep moving and need to be broken into smaller steps or dropped.

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