Task List: How to Create a Daily To-Do List
Learn how to create a task list that saves time and stress, using the ABC method or numbered priorities, plus tips on calendars and digital to-do lists.
Have you ever gone somewhere only to forget why you went there in the first place? A great way to avoid such problems is to write a daily to-do list, also called a task list.
A task list works as an inventory tool or an external memory: it helps you remember things without having to keep them in your head.
A good task list lets your mind let go of the things you wrote down so you can focus on other, perhaps more important, matters. If you want a ready-made format, see our to-do list template.
Benefits
- Helps you set out your goals.
- Saves time, energy and stress.
- Gives you something more reliable than just your memory.
Methodology
There are two good ways to format your task list, and they can be combined.
The ABC method
The first is the so-called ABC method. You divide your tasks into an "A" category (tasks to be done within a day), a "B" category (within a week), a "C" category (within a month) and so on. You can add or remove categories, and adjust their time frames, to suit your situation.
Numbered priorities
Another way to format your task list is to give each task a number according to its importance. The number 1 is the highest priority, 2 is less important, and so on. For instance, if you give studying for tomorrow's test a 1 and doing the laundry a 2, studying comes before laundry. The smaller the number, the higher the priority.
Further notes
Get yourself a weekly calendar. A calendar is a great way to keep track of what to do and when. Remember to sort each task into its relevant category: all school-related tasks go in one category, all personal tasks in another, and so on.
Try a digital task list. If you spend a lot of time on the computer, you might consider turning your desktop background into a to-do list. (This article was on my own desktop to-do list.) If you'd like to keep your current background, you can divide the picture into two halves: one half showing today's tasks and the other showing your background picture. You can also use a simple to-do list app.
For more on prioritizing your work, read how to plan your tasks.