Management Tip of the Day: Make Your To-Do List Work

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile NOVEMBER 14, 2012 Make Your To-Do List Work To-do lists can be lifesavers when it comes to managing your work. But sometimes they're nothing more than a list of things you never get to. Here are three tips for making them better: Bucket the work. Categorize items in a way that makes sense for you. Group them by project or difficulty level (e.g. put all the "easy" tasks in one area so you can easily knock them off when you have time). Give each bucket its own column. Pick the right medium. You should enjoy looking at and interacting with your to-do list. Use a notebook you love or a well-designed and easy-to-use app. Rewrite the list. Every few days create a new list, transferring unfinished tasks from the old one. This will help you keep it organized and in the right order of priority. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the Guide to Getting the Right Work Done. Buy the book and learn more about prioritizing your workload » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Ebook Now Available Is your workload slowing you – and your career – down? Learn how to get the right work done. Whether you're a new professional or an experienced one, this guide will help you prioritize and stay focused, work less but accomplish more and stop bad habits and develop good ones. Not only will you end each day knowing you made progress—your improved productivity will also set you apart from the pack. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS If You Both Work, Stay Happy Help Your Multitasking Colleague Break the Habit Manage a Challenging (and Valuable) Employee When Working Hard, Make Time for Rest Prepare to Answer Customers' Toughest Questions Make the Most of a Bad Job Get to Know Your Unknown Audience Toss the Old Rules for Selling Reward Yourself for Doing the Tasks You Hate Try Crowdsourcing Your Performance Reviews All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)