The Productive Power of List-Making

List-making and thereby to-do list following is one of the most effective ways to increase, and maintain productivity. But what makes it so powerful? How can you hone your list-making skills? And what routines and habits can you build around the list-making and list following process?

Today we cover that and more. It remains my goal to offer you ideas, suggestions, and support as you pursue living with more intention in your own life. And today, l make the case for list-making.

The Science Behind Powerful List-Making and Following

In an ever increasingly busy world a simple, traditional, to-do list grounds us in structure. An article written by Louise Chunn with The Guardian digs in to the psychology behind list-making.

She writes that studies have shown list-making provides structure to ideas, and reduces anxiety for unfinished tasks. Studies find the simple act of writing down what needs to be done ultimately makes us more productive. In a way, it provides us with a mental warm-up for the work ahead.

Jotting down a list of small bite-sized to-dos gives us a lens to formulate chunks of work to do. Chunn tells readers to take things one step further by adding the amount of time tasks will take. It helps create a manageable timetable for productivity.

It’s not about completing the list either, simply understanding that the act of writing things down makes us more productive and is a huge step in the right direction.

Read on and I’ll give you a few ideas. We’ll even channel some brainpower from one of my favorite entrepreneurs Dr. Asher Kyger-Henry, a Physical Therapist and personalized running coach who has used the power of the to-do list in her own life.

Intentionally Remove Distractions

When Asher and I started our conversation about productivity she almost immediately started talking about to-do list-making as one of her go-to tools.

I make to-do lists all the time. They help me stay productive and focused during my work time. Raising a busy toddler, I work during nap times or when I can squeeze in minutes here and there. A to-do list helps me stay on track between work sessions.

One of the brilliant suggestions Asher offers is to utilize work productivity apps like: OFFTIME , StayOnTask . Moment and Breakfree . These apps help you track device usage and turn off certain app notifications to help manage how and where you spend your digital time thus giving you a lens to work productively off your phone.

During intentional work time requiring a bunch of brain power, listening to music helps me stay laser focused. If I’m doing chores around the cabin I listen to podcasts, sermons, or audiobooks. When writing, I’m often listening to a productivity play list I created on spotify, called PDH Productivity, to help me maximize my minutes. While I am multi-tasking with either music or podcasts, the task becomes more enjoyable and my productivity soars. The audio input for me is a personal preference and helps focus my mind to the task at hand.

Create Priorities and Know Yourself

Well it’s all fine and good, even easy to make a to-do list. But how do we go about prioritizing it?! You’ve likely heard of the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In it he outlines a time management matrix to help increase productivity and prioritize tasks. This article explains the matrix, how to use it, and it’s purpose beautifully.

To help understand the matrix of priorities even further I built this graphic.

To use the Time Management Matrix using a piece of paper create a rubric just like above. Number it 1, 2, 3, and 4, then prioritize your tasks within the organization of the quadrant. Another way to use the matrix system is to simply list your tasks then place a number next to the item on the list indicating its priority. See the below image for two examples.

I personally prefer the list format, with the numbers next to it. There is just something about a descending list that I can cross tasks off of when they’re completed that makes me feel even more productive!

A simple Pinterest search will materialize many versions of how to prioritize a to-do list. So don’t be afraid to take a few minutes and search for a format you prefer.

Asher offers us another reminder to keep in mind as we get dialed in to prioritizing our lists.

Reflect inward and think about when your momentum and motivation may wain. This will help you know limits so you aren’t spread too thin.

She’s right, because we may have the most beautifully prioritized list but if we don’t consider the timing of our work session, it may all be in vain. An obvious example is trying to tackle the list in the late afternoon after kiddos are up from naps as opposed to a work session at the beginning of nap time.

Here is a great instagram post by Asher with an in-the-moment peek at another way she teaches us how to prioritize.

Don’t be afraid of Trial and Error

A basic youtube search yields hundreds of to-do list videos explaining how to write a better list, be more productive, and get more done in less time. But ultimately the real work happens in the early morning, late night, naptime, sitting in the car waiting for your kid to get out of practice hours, of the day.

Don’t be afraid to try a few different types of to-do lists. Sometimes the variety of a few different formats makes the process (dare I say it) fun! I’ve been living the to-list life since my first dorm room in college and let me me tell ya, in all that time I’ve certainly tried a few!

And with that in mind I’d like to include a special gift to you for being a part of the Pine Daisy House community. Head over to this form to join my email list and get a printable copy of my List Maker system for FREE! It’s my one-of-a-kind version of a simplified Task Management Matrix.

Get it for free! And you’ll also be included in any weekly emails I send with new content (if there is no content for the week, then no email). It’s as simple as that! Just one more way to stay in touch and keep living with intention.

Already one of the hundreds who are subscribing? Don’t worry, I’ll be adding this freebie to this week’s email for ya!

I’m so thankful you are part of this journey to live with more freedom and less stress. It’s worth it and so are you. And thank you so much to Dr. Asher Kyger-Henry for lending her expertise and wisdom to this week’s article. If you aren’t already, I hope you go learn from her on website and instagram.

With hope for you and your intentional life,