How To Create A List That You Can Actually Get Done

By Christina Morton DesAuguste

Christina is the founder and CEO of The Organizing Company. She’s been organizing professionally since 2013. She has a background working with kids and teenagers, as well as in fashion retail. Her saving grace during lockdown: pretty paper.

I love lists. Sometimes I've been known to write something on a list that's already done, just so I can cross it off.

I know not everyone has such warm fuzzies when it comes to lists, but I do think they’re super helpful, especially if you’re working from home. And there are some ways to customize them to yourself and your needs so it “speaks your language”.

How To Pick A List Type

Tip One

I recommend making separate lists for personal and work. If you operate with “Theme Days” (Marketing Monday, Wednerrands Day (don’t think that one’s gonna catch on!), Finances Friday etc), it’s even better to have a list for each day/theme. That way, you aren’t overwhelmed by alllllll the things you have to do. You can just focus on the tasks at hand for today’s Total Housework Tuesday, or whatever.

Tip Two

Choose the right list for YOU. If you aren’t in the habit of carrying a paper planner with you, carrying paper lists might not be the easiest habit to build in. But if you already utilize your laptop and cell phone for just about everything, why not manage your lists there?

If you need help deciding, think about your daily routine, what you take to work with you each day, whether or not you change out your purse frequently (or repack it daily/often), and if you normally want to grab a pen to jot down a note, or go to your laptop. If you’re frequently doodling, write hand-written drafts/documents, or are an extreme “out of sight, out of mind” kind of person, paper is probably best for you.

Tip Three

Help yourself build the new habit. Whichever medium you choose, make sure you’re able to build looking at your list into your routine. It’s easy to remember to add to it, but more frequently forgotten to check it when it’s actually time to work/get stuff done.

You may want to set a reminder in your phone everyday at the beginning of your usual work time to look at your list. It’s not pretty, but I use the RE.Minder app because it lets me set reminders to go off every hour or every minute until I dismiss it or reschedule it. Then, it beeps and annoys me until I look at it and see “LOOK AT LIST!” and remember to go look at it. A post-it note might work just as well for you. But make sure tasks aren’t going to a list to die. Have a system to get them done.

Here are some products/apps that I’ve used or admired. Find what works for you!

Best App + My Personal Favorite: The Google Task App

I love this app so much. Mainly because it let’s me create sub-lists for my lists. So in my work email account, I have the tasks tab open and I have lists within it for different projects. For my personal account, I have a his and hers list.

I primarily use it on my laptop because I keep it open with my Gmail. But I often think of things to do while I’m out and about, so I just open the app, select which list, and it’s there when I’m back in the office later.

Best Paper Version: Russell + Hazel Mini Binders

I used a Russell + Hazel Mini Binder to plan my wedding. I had different tabs for each vendor search and notes. I liked that I could clip in things I didn’t want to forget.

I also used one for a long time for my general to-do lists. I had sections for various projects with work, for personal, and for my husband’s pet project that I’m helping with. It let me jot down notes in an organized fashion, tuck in documents associated with various tasks, and sketch out design ideas.