The Power of Simplicity: Achieve More with 6 Items on your To-Do List
I recently discovered the Ivy Lee Method for managing my long to-do list, and it has significantly boosted my productivity.
The key is to focus on the right tasks daily and maintain consistency, which is precisely what the Ivy Lee Method helped me achieve.
What is Ivy Lee Method —
The Ivy Lee Method is a productivity technique. The technique was introduced around 1918 when Ivy Lee, a well-known productivity consultant, shared this approach with Charles M. Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation at that time.
The method emphasized the importance of prioritizing tasks and focusing on a limited number of key tasks each day to enhance productivity and efficiency.
This method involves a simple yet effective approach to tasks on the To-Do List management:
1. The method suggests — Write down the six most important tasks you need to accomplish the next day. Limiting this list to six tasks helps prioritize the most crucial items. I personally only list 3 , or max 4 To Do tasks.
2. Rank these tasks in order of priority, with the most important task at the top of the list.
3. The next day, begin with the first task and work on it until completion before moving to the next task on the list. If any tasks remain unfinished, carry forward to the next day’s list and repeat the process.
Secret to the Ivy Lee Method’s Success — “Why is the Ivy Lee Method a popular choice for enhancing productivity?”
1. Simplicity at Its Best — The Ivy Lee Method is extremely easy and simple to follow. Prepare a list of tasks for the next day, keep it to max 6 tasks per day. Task limitation has a positive impact on productivity.
2. Shift your focus — Carry your to-do list of tasks with you and concentrate solely on those six tasks for the day. Focus and concentration are key to execution and achieving tasks perfectly.
3. Minimizing decision strain — Decision-making is a tiring task that can cause mental fatigue. The Ivy Lee Method eliminates decision strain by making all decisions at the end of your workday.
During work hours, you won’t need to sort through priorities or make decisions — everything is already set, allowing you to focus solely on the task at hand.
4. Priority Perfection — The Ivy Lee Method assumes you’ll complete all six tasks daily (3 in my case), which can be challenging to maintain consistently. However, this method ensures you always finish the most important task each day, allowing for productivity even on difficult days.
The Ivy Lee Method’s greatest strength lies in its flexibility, making it applicable across all industries and settings without complex rules.
By adhering to three core rules —
1. Focus on one task at a time.
2. Prioritize the most important task first.
3. Be consistent with use of the method
You can boost productivity and maintain performance consistency. Since I started using this method, I have managed to complete my to-do list tasks 80% of the time.
