To-Do Formula by Damon Zahariades - Byteflix

Byte #1

Main reasons why our To-Do list fail:

• The objective isn't well defined
• Too many tasks on the list
• Doing tasks that don't add value

Byte #2

10 Most Popular To-Do list Systems:

• Massive, All-inclusive list: Jotting down every possible task and then organizing them based on priority.

• "Task" + "Starting date" + "End date": Assigning clear cut deadlines for each task.

• Master List & Daily List: Keeping two separate lists where the Master List is ar record of all tasks that are to be done. Pick the important ones and add them to your Daily List. Then review the Master list and repeat process.

• 3+2 strategy: Your list consists of 3 big tasks and 2 small tasks.
• 1-3-5 strategy: Your list consists of 1 big task, 3 medium tasks, and 5 small tasks.

• Project-Based System: Take 2-3 projects, make a list of tasks for each of them.

• The 3-MIT Approach: Selecting 3 high priority tasks and completing them by the end of the day. Similar to the Pareto Principle:

20% of the tasks add 80% value. So, pick out 3-4 high-value tasks and finish them by whatever means, before the day ends. 

MIT (Most important Task) concept by Leo Babauta

• The Kanban Method:

Picture Source: KissFlow

• The Matrix System:

Picture Source: Success Feed

Concept by Stephen Covey

• Getting Things Done(GTD):

Picture Source: Toodledo 

Concept by David Allen

Byte #3:

Tips to maintain a To-Do list:

• Do weekly reviews to see how you're faring
• Refer to the above-mentioned concepts, select or come up with a system that works for you.
• Keep a separate 'Tiny Batch' list that contains the mundane everyday tasks like making the bed, taking the trash out, etc. Don't mix it up with the main list.
• Schedule tasks in accordance with time/energy level

Example: Morning is when you'd feel fresh. Use the morning hours to do analytical/creative tasks

Your energy level might dwindle during the afternoon. Try to finish mindless work like data entry, decluttering work desk, etc.

Byte #4:

Creating a perfect To-Do list:

• Separate current tasks from future tasks
• Specify the 'Outcome' next to the task. That will let you know the relevance and importance of doing it.
• Break big tasks into smaller, achievable ones. 
• Set deadlines for each task
• Categorize tasks by Project (Task at hand), Type (Creative, Analytical, Mindless), or Location (Office, Home, Transit)
• Insert an 'Active Verb' before the task.

For example: 

Breakfast with parents 

Call parents to plan a breakfast date

Byte #5: 

Choose where to create/maintain the to-do list. It can be online/offline. Select only one.

Personally, I'd advise you to put sticky notes on your work desk/door/fridge so that you would always be reminded of the tasks that are pending.

MetaData:

Kindle Edition, 109 pages
Published August 1st, 2016 by Damon Zahariades (first published 2016)
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