Top To-Do List Mistakes to Avoid

Most professionals want to improve their productivity, and list-making is one of the most common strategies to do so. Unfortunately, not all to-do lists are created equal. In fact, certain list-making strategies can actually sabotage our productivity. Here are are few of the most common mistakes to avoid if you want to maximize your to-do list’s potential:

Making your list too lengthy

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to create a giant to-do list with no timeframes or parameters. When your list is too long, you’re not likely to finish everything on it, and that can make you feel discouraged and less motivated to complete leftover tasks tomorrow. A mile-long list is visually stressful. The key to a successful to-do list is to be realistic. Create a list with a few main tasks that you can reasonably check off in a given day. Think of these as your critical tasks. Starting small is best. You can always tackle more if you get through the first set. Give yourself a clear time frame, whether you’re looking at an hour or a day. Evaluate how long these kinds of tasks have taken you in the past and use this to determine what you can realistically complete in your time frame.

Including two-minute tasks

Look at your past to-do lists. Have you muddied them up with tasks that should only take a few minutes? “Two-minute tasks” tend to take just as much time to write down as they do to complete. Instead of adding brief phone calls or emails to your list, tackle them right away instead. When you allow them to clutter your to-do list, you can create that massive list that slows productivity.

Neglecting to prioritize

When you don’t prioritize your list, it becomes easy to procrastinate. Keep your list organized with the most important tasks at the top. Many people recommend “eating the frog” and completing your most challenging task first. It can give you a great sense of motivation for the rest of your day. Choose whichever prioritization strategy works for you, and stick with it when comes to making your list.

Relying on your list alone

If you’re truly committed to a productive and organized work day, a to-do list can’t be the only tool in your toolbox. When you combine it with a clear schedule in a planner or on your phone and you incorporate other strategies to minimize distractions and increase focus, you massively boost your chances for success.

The value of a to-do list is all in how you utilize it. Lengthy lists with no organization can make us less likely to cross things off, while concise prioritized lists can help boost productivity. Do you have any to-do list techniques? Share them in the comments.