List-Making 101: Formula for the Perfect To-Do List

Do you want to know how to make the ultimate to-do list? Whether you’re a beginner looking for tips or a veteran list-making hoping to perfect your technique, I have some ideas for you. 

My two books Listful Thinking and Listful Living, are all about how to make lists that actually help you feel more organized, happier, and less stressed. 

BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

I keep lots of lists — books to read, places to go, things to do, and much more. My lists help me keep track of all kinds of things. 

But making lists can be overwhelming, especially if you have lots on your plate. And if you start making too many lists and don’t have an organization strategy, you might end up feeling more stressed out than when you started. 

But a good list-making system can help you be on top of everything you have going on in your life. 

Here’s how you can start making the kind of lists that will be beneficial for your life and needs:

1). Just write it down. If it’s not right in front of you, you’re likely to forget it. That’s why the first step is to write down everything you have to do. It doesn’t need to be organized right now — just get it all down on paper. Or on an app — there are lots of great apps if you like having your lists on your phone or computer. 

2). Organize your list. Break your list into categories, such as work, home, friends, and family. Once you create sections, you can put new tasks where they belong. This makes it a lot less overwhelming. 

3). Prioritize. What absolutely needs to be done in the next hour? What needs to be done today? This week? This month? Organizing your list by deadline or importance. Pro tip: make sure you stick to the priority level. If something on your list is easy to do but not urgent, don’t do it right now — it’ll put you behind schedule. Plus be sure to tap into your own personal productivity style - that makes all the difference.

4). Rewrite. Now you know what you need to do and when you need to do it. But your list probably looks like a little bit of a mess. That’s why the next step is to rewrite your list. You’re more likely to use and read a clean, easy-to-read list. I like lists without a lot of clutter, but some people prefer having notes on their lists. You have to figure out what works for you through trial and error. 

5). Repeat. Keep adding to your lists and make new ones when you need them. I like to make a new list every morning and add all the items from the previous day (or days) that didn’t get done. I add to it throughout the day. 

As you put these guidelines into practice, you’ll begin to figure out what works and doesn’t work for you. 

Here’s two things to keep in mind as you get started:

• Be realistic. I know how tempting it is to cross everything off the list. But think about how much time you have to do each task. Don’t try to take on a two-hour task if you have a meeting in an hour! 
• Be specific. The more specific you are, the better. If you can break a big task down into actionable steps, you’ll be less overwhelmed and more likely to actually do what you need to do. For example, instead of writing “Go to the grocery store” on your to-do list, write “Pick up milk and eggs.” This will help you stay on track once you get to the store. 

I hope these tips are helpful as you find out what works best for you. Once you start making lists, you’ll figure out what types of lists and what listmaking routine makes the most sense for your needs. Lists are a great way to take control of your life — it’s all about finding your individual list-making style.

This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

BONUS FREEBIE: Want even more ways to stay organized, productive and less stressed? Click here to get access to my List-Making Starter Kit. It will boost your efficiency and get you back to doing more of the things you love.

Paula Rizzo is an Emmy Award winning TV producer, media trainer and bestselling author and speaker. She’s the author of Listful Living: A List-Making Journey to a Less Stressed You and Listful Thinking: Using Lists to Be More Productive, Successful and Less Stressed. You can receive her free list-making starter kit or checklist to become a go-to media expert.