How to Keep a TO-DO LIST: LESS Stress & MORE Productivity! BEST Time Management Tips Part 2 

I hope I'm not the only one putting off my to do list to watch a video of Dawn telling me how to be more productive with my to do list. 😂

I'm trying so hard to ditch my phone addiction, so a paper planner is best for me. Plus I just love the feel of a good pen on great quality paper😉

Here is what works for me😊 My To-Do list gives me peace, too! I used to write a big brain dump onto a piece of paper but that turned out to be a big messy piece of paper. Since journals and planners and apps don't work for me ( I need paper in hand ), I simply take one clean piece of paper and fold it in half and then, in half again. Unfold it, and there are 4 squares now. I then divide or prioritize my tasks into four categories titled: Home/ Pamper Phone/Online Discuss Errands Under "Home/ Pamper time" I might have: finish painting cabinets, finish knitted gift. Under the "Phone/Online" category I might have: schedule Dr. Check-up, email mom. Under "Discuss" I might have anything that needs attention that I need to talk to DH about. Under "Errands" I will add anything that is outside the home..errands of any kind. This takes that one, big brain dump page and prioritizes the things into categories. From there, I now take your "one most important task" and highlight that one thing for that day. Oh! And I keep this 4 sectioned list for one week and write out a fresh one each Sunday or Monday😁😁

So helpful! Love how you just keep things simple.. no hour long video or course to sign up for! thank you xo

I have a calendar on my fridge with large squares and I keep my list to 3 items in a day, and some days my calendar is empty. I usually make my list the night before. 💛

Thank you! I grabbed a notebook and started walking around the house. It may take me a week, but that's okay, it's got a plan... and the stress melted. So much easier to do something once priorities are made. In a bit, I'll walk around the garden and make that list too. I love your idea of listing categories of your roles. I've come close to what you're doing before, but that role category may be just what I need to stick with it.

I wish you could make a video about the Keep app. I like how organized your tasks are. So simple and clear. I can see you have dates for the specific important task, could you elaborate more about this? Where do you store everything else (not so important tasks)? Under a specific category? Like Real estate, Household...? Or do you have other List? And what about those days? Does it work with google calendar? I tend to over-complicate things so your point of view would be great. ❤️

I seriously can’t miss any of your videos Dawn!! Awesome practical content as always!! 😁

Love seeing the additional video that shows you and son at computer and how he is mimicking you by listing paper then writing again...so cute! Your videos are so helpful!

Just download that google keep app. Game changer. I love my planner, but when I am out in about, don’t like to pull my planner, when I am in hurry. Now I can use this app on a go and write it down in my planner when I am at home.

Clipboards, YAY! I can’t wait. Your videos are changing my life for the better! Thank you! Your videos with your sister a wonderful too! Tell everyone hello.

I have a cleaning schedule in my head that I do every day. I been meaning to do a "to do list" just so I can say "I accomplished something today". I think that many women over look that and think "I didn't get nothing done today". But today I started and thought "this is my daughters last day of school". So I pampered myself for a couple of hours :)

What I love about your videos is that they are concise yet full of useful info.

I am a big To Do List writer and user. Today - I cleaned & sorted my Refrigerator Freezer ( only freezer I have ) which is FULL ! I even set aside a " USE FIRST " shelf to ensure I use things in a more timely fashion. The freezer list which I decorated with color pencils & items from each category is taped to the front of the refrigerator - Can't miss it ! And, I keep a pen in a nearby drawer so I have no excuse to not cross an item off.

Thanks for this! I’ve tried all these methods too but now I can finally give myself a daily goal and come away feeling good about a day instead of lamenting that I got nothing done. I LOVE your channel!❤️

The household tasks bog me down, too! I love the idea of just having a time on a certain day that I know they'll all get done. I'm loving these organization and productivity videos! Thank you!

Loved your videos on paper organization and this one too! It’s the first week of school and with my 4 kids, all in different schools, I have TONS of papers. Tackling my paper area that I’ve neglected all Summer is my goal, and IM SO GLAD I WATCHED YOUR VIDEOS FIRST. I can now throw so much of it away without confusion or guilt. I have a super simple file system that won’t get overwhelming, and an easy to manage inbox. Here I go ! I’ll keep you posted on the results.

I always love your videos. Everything you post has always been relevant and either major things I have been looking for solutions for or underlying things that as you say, "cause low-grade anxiety." I love your channel! I use a notebook for my to-do lists. I like your idea for the different categories and think of it as revolving. This will help me re-edit how I am going about my lists. Thanks for your tips!

Great words of wisdom! I have to share with you this little story. I have been decluttering my own house and have gotten to embrace the minimalistic living style. My husband loves that too. So we leave our home each January to get away from the Mountain Cedar and go to an area without it. But the house we are renting is sooo cluttered it is driving me crazy! And dust everywhere. While I love getting away, you have helped me create a home that when it is time to go back I will really be looking forward to minimal work, minimal cleaning, and feeling more healthy in my own home. Thanks!

Thanks so much Dawn. I'm in sunny Sussex (England) and love how positive, joyful and encouraging you are. I haven't yet found a 'to do' list system that I know I can rely on but looking forward to giving this one a try as it definitely looks better than everything I've used so far. God bless you, your sister and your families!

I have found having them on my phone is good so I have it with me when I go out, but I get great satisfaction out of drawing a line through things as I get them done. I deal with depression anxiety a lot and i have to force myself some days to just do one thing on my list, then I usually feel good that I got something done so I do more. I also tend to forget things really bad and feel like I didn't do much this month or whatever, but having that list of stuff that I kept to look back at really helps me. I look back at a month or two and really feel good about myself and all I am doing.

I’ve watched this video before…but I definitely needed to hear it tonight! I’m beginning a new chapter in my life. My youngest is a senior in high school and is now living with his dad. I’m in the middle of moving to a smaller place. I am needing to changes the ways I use my time. Thank you for this!

I use the apple notes with a special todo list for the brain dump and the calendar for the 1/a list. It works for me to calendar the time. 😊. Looking forward to the hair tutorial ❤️

I love Google keep...it is my brain! I use it for so many things (to do lists, maintenance lists, birthday lists, websites to read later, recipes, reminders, brainstorming a topic, anything I need to remember!). I really like that I can archive the notes I don't need so I can just pull up what I need to see. I did recently switch my shopping list to todoist because I can get that to coordinate with my Google home....it is to convenient to just say what I need and have it added to my shopping list. Love this video because it has given me several ideas to try. Thanks!

I love your suggestions on this video! One thing I may add for people like me with short term memory problems is a white board that is eye level and I write my to-do list on it and see it every time I walk by it. I make sure to erase things as I do them. Thanks so much for your videos! They are so helpful.

This is just what I needed! I have been paralyzed looking at my to do list! I'm going to give this One Thing and A list priorities to see if it helps me not feel so overwhelmed. Thank you!

This video was so timely for me. Thank you again for the inspiration and encouragement! These are great tips.

I just found you about a month ago and really love how genuine you are and how you share all the different ways you've tried to achieve your daily goals and priorities. I'm really excited to put this into action. I am a list person and having the categories with the top priorities make so much sense, along with the mind dump. I either make a list that is too long or have 1 on the fridge and one in my planner and again get overwhelmed. Thank you so much!!

Get the big things done is a great win suggestion . Grouping sections like household job, and self prioritizing, is a great suggestion as well. To admit that these lists are circular and will never end is enlightening. Thank you.

I am SO happy you posted this. I have tried a lot of different planners as well, this is the easiest!

Today I started clearing things after having been inspired by your videos and it felt soo good. Have been trying for a long time and just didn't know where to start! So I started in the kitchen. Besides clearing off cluttered surfaces in the kitchen, I made a computer list of all the items in the freezer with a space to take off what is being taken out. My husband was happy about this also and designated a space for the list inside a kitchen cabinet door. I Like your idea of doing this like peeling an onion! It takes the pressure off me thinking I have to do everything immediately! Your videos besides being educational are a lot of fun! Thanks for all you do! May you always be blessed!!

Dawn thank you so much for your informative content. I love watching your videos. They calm me down and there’s definitely a light at the end of my clutter. ❤️

My brain dump pages are old lesson planners from teaching with 20 boxes per page, one task per box. I put a very satisfying corner to corner X over each box when the task is complete. Shared idea with a ladies group and spatial oriented others have enjoyed. Am a new subscriber, and appreciate your shared creative organization journey. Thank you so much.

Now that i’m 50 i cannot do a “daily” type planner. Time just passes so rapidly lol. I have now switched to a “monthly” to do list. One big page. One month at a time. I get to it when i get to it. A month passes like a week now. It’s really strange. I remember when i was a little girl my great grandma used to tell me that for her a year just seemed like a few weeks....i am finally beginning to understand. Funny thing too....these women didn’t “need” planners whatsoever. They just did what had to be done! 😉 My planner is now a 4x6 spiral memo book - 80 sheets - 88 cents! For now, all of my filofax planners are collecting dust. (i might do a filofax return, but for now the super minimalist “planner” works well for this perimenopause brain 😁)

This was the best organisation video by far. Especially the tip about emails. Thank you.

I was always a big list maker but I recently started google Notes and it has changed my life. It has simplified my planning and focus and I don't have scraps of paper everywhere!

I literally stopped mindlessly scrolling facebook and shopping on amazon to watch part 1 and part 2 of to do. YOU HAVE SAVED ME TODAY!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing this stuff. You have no idea how much I needed this right now. Seriously. There aren't enough words...

I used to be so more organized when I worked outside the home. Thanks for the ideas. I keep try different things, but I haven't found the perfect solution yet.

Just recently found your channel. Love these last 2 videos on TO-DO lists. I'm going to try and implement these. What you said in both videos really resonated with me. I can totally relate. I have so many TO DO's and so many lists! I get overwhelmed and end up watching youtube videos or shopping on amazon and only getting 1 or 2 minor things on the lists done -- never anything significant. And then, I end up adding 5 more things to the list. I rewrite my lists often but there's soo much, it's overwhelming. I think your tips will totally help me. Now, I just have to do it. Thanks so much!

Hi Dawn! These videos have been so helpful!! I like it how you've covered all the most recurring struggles👍♥️ Thanks for the love you put into making them! It shows🤗

I used to be a PA and found setting up routines and keeping a diary most beneficial. Anything financial is priority and avoiding the computer for shopping unless needing stationary supplies. Love Dawn's ideas as she is working in a simple but strategic manner! I need help with finding a new job so many job ads are not appropriate or in the area I live so any suggestions would be good. Multi tasking can work well and loving the 5 second idea as low energy. Notebook and a pen works for me but I love the clipboard ideas. Busy today with decluttering hard to get started as doing it mostly on my own but trying every day to do one thing to make a difference. Love your channel.

I watched your vid yesterday and today I did to do I had been procrastinating for days and it literally took me 5 min ugh! Will be doing this daily! Thank you.

Loving this series of videos!! Just today I found myself scrolling mindlessly because my to do list of projects feels overwhelming. I love the idea of one singular focus...if you co plete that the rest of the day is just a bonus. I have tried all types of planners and am trying out a few new things for this year. Thanks for all of the great tips, your videos are so helpful!! ❤

I write my to do list on scrap pieces of paper and then write priorities on sticky notes. It’s very satisfying for me to get to throw it away when I’m finished!

Thank you sooo much I’ve been having trouble keeping up with my lifestyle since my first born. Now I’m expecting a second working full-time from home and working towards my masters degree. Whatever can ease stress is necessary: currently using the EC Planner.

oh my gosh this has been happening to me for a long time! i think abt what i want and need to do while im at work but when i get home or have my two days off i am exhausted just by thinking of what i want and need to do!!!! then i take a nap. im single but by not doing anything i feel lazy, anxious, overwhelmed and exhausted and a failure! course i just found ur videos that i had subscribed to awhile ago and now im spending time watching to hopefully get me going! u r so right abt low energy!

Never a dull moment with u . Glad i found yr channel

Dawn, thank you for another wonderful video! I’ve been using Google Keep for a few months and I absolutely love it! I have it on my desktop and (obviously) my phone. I love colors so I color code the days of the week and I keep them pinned and in daily order. I can easily look and see what I have scheduled each day. I use check boxes most of the time. Whenever we have a family party/event planned, I note the menu and anything else about the event, then I archive it - for future reference. It’s really a wonderful tool! I have a paper planner as well, and I love buying/downloading/printing really cute pages for it, but then I don’t use them. 😂🤣 I guess I like the idea of a paper planner, more than actually using it. But I do have crazy love for post-it notes. ❤️ I love your suggestions! TFS.

Trello has been a savior for me!!!! It is SO versatile, links to calendar, and google drive, and has 'checklists' which give me BIIIGG dopamine hits! Plus it's on desktop and mobile so i can access it literally anywhere!!

Excellent explanation and practical tips! Thanks Dawn👍 as a SAHM sometimes my days feel like they run together and besides loving my kids and keeping them alive😉, I feel like I've accomplished so little for the exhausted state I end up in!! I should have more to show for all my effort, lol. I can see how the 1 thing focus will help me feel more accomplished🙌

Love you videos Dawn, i have been following you for about 8 months now and I love your positive outlook and simple ways to do things. I have been trialing your meal planning method. I have fallen off the wagon a few times but it does make things easier. I Use Trello to do my brain dump and then use my A5 diary to put on my focus and what I need to do that day. With all the different methods I have tried, it is simple and it works. Basically the same as your method. I have been doing this since the beginning of the year and its easy to stick with and manage.

I love the 5 second journal too, I have hacked it to be a mix between your method, Mel's method and things I need to focus on for my mental health. I think this is my fave video of yours so far!

This is great! I have my headache for too many ideas circulating in my head! Love this video!

I actually paused this video to go and set up my lists on Google Keep! I've used it for note taking and shopping lists but hadn't thought of using it for my to-do lists in that way. Looking forward to trying it tomorrow!

I finally subscribed and marked the notification bell! You're awesome! I've watched so many of your videos and love them ❤

Dawn this was such a helpful video! Not starting my day with e-mail was a game changer for me and productivity! Such a good idea about batching the household tasks for a block of time, I need to be better about that! I would love the check out the last planner you shared.

I just recently switched from using ALL the paper planners to a combination of Google Keep + Calendar. I keep ongoing household 'to do' projects (and recipes, meal plans, etc) in Keep, but schedule other time sensitive priority to do's as Reminders in a shared Calendar. I also keep a print out of the Google Calendar at work to write down tentative plans, keep track of vacation days, etc.

Can you do a video on how you keep up with cleaning, deep cleaning or what kind of schedule you follow? As a minimalist its a bit different than always keeping up with the clutter and such. It's not a remedy cleaning more of a preventive cleaning. IF that makes sense.

Thank you for reminding us to give a thumbs up at the end. I usually forget and I'm always so happy/ grateful for the content that I'm happy to give you a thumbs up to support your channel.

THANK YOU Dawn 🙏 this is great. Clear, sensible, SIMPLE advice. The email advice - thank you so much!!!! I will let you know how it goes!

Best tip for me...to keep myself motivated... specially as I am a care giver & having multiple imp projects committed too... struggling as each role has “the one thing”... & projects with subtasks & sub sub tasks🙈 still learning but yes ur videos r motivators for me.. so thank u very much & god bless u all

My first time here, I love your videos, watched two sequently. Very informative and practical.

Such great advice! Thanks for sharing. 👌 I will be trying out some of these tips.

I LOVE it when you wear color. You look so bright and young ❤ This is one I will be watching a few times. Squeal! Can't wait for your hair tutorial, it's been on my list to try before a wedding I'm in.

I greatly appreciate your Videos...I have trouble in time-management, as well as in separating and sorting / Tossing Out! Thanks for Your Tips!

My favorite to do list video!!! Thank you. I cannot keep up with the other systems because they are often too complicated.

I like listening to your videos, you make me feel calm 😊

You are very inspiring and calming. Thank you for sharing

I'm so thankful for this!

Thank you for mentioning Google Keep!!!! I just started using it yesterday and I already love it!!! You are so much fun to watch (down to earth) and I enjoy the Sunday vids with your sis

I just love your tips and organization skills. I am at the point in my life where I want to go minimal, but we have a pretty big house and it is full of SOOOO much stuff! It is really overwhelming. I have already gone through some of it and tried the Konmari Method, but my husband is resistant and doesn't think our house is cluttered. You have given me so much motivation and I find I am repeating your saying about everything that comes into our house is something I have to manage! I had never thought about my stuff that way before but it makes perfect sense! Thank you for ideas and videos!

OmniFocus 3 (for iPhone and iPad) is my go to right now. Based on GTD, but far more powerful. SO helpful for dealing with everyday things simultaneously with ongoing and intermittent projects without losing track. It allows you to find tasks according to context using tags. It integrates my calendar with any tasks that are absolutely due today. On that same page, I can choose to view anything tagged with the tag that I choose. I can toggle between different tags. I can view all tags in the tag section. The search function pulls up everything with your keyword. I can integrate photos and notes to help me accomplish the task at hand. I can create projects and adjust the order of the steps easily. I can view the whole project at one time, I can view all groups of projects at one time. I can also look simply at the next action of one or more projects if I have some free time and want to move something forward, but I’m not sure which is the easiest one to do., I can ask to see the Next Action” only. If the project only allows me to do things in a sequence, I can set it up that way. If the project involves tasks that can be done in any order, I can set it up that way, also.It’s easy to find overdue tasks. When you want to just create a task without adding details, it goes into your inbox and you can add the projects or tasks later. You can do repeating tasks with lots of customization. You can have reminders set sent to your phone as banners. If you see an article or a picture or a video online that you want to complete at a later time, you can forward it to OmniFocus as a task. If there is an email you need to answer and you want to make sure you don’t forget it, you can email a reminder to OmniFocus end it becomes a task. In the premium version, you can create customized perspectives That allow you to see only what is most helpful for you to get through your day, or part of your day. You can choose to group things or not group things. You can order things by due date, by the name, etc. Using keyboard shortcuts makes it super easy to use naming conventions to replace tags. It takes a little planning to use it effectively, but there are plenty of people online who offer their ideas of what works for them. Mostly, don’t put a date on something that doesn’t really have to be done by a certain time. And if you want to use the search function, which is a fast and easy way to find things, pay attention to how you name a task… Include the name of the person involved, maybe use a prefix like “call:” and search for tasks using the call: so that you don’t get every single task with the word “call“ in it, just for tasks that involve calling people. There are lots of helpful tips available.

Thank You for today's info! Can not wait to see tomorrow, Have a Great day/night!

Thanks! So excited about your upcoming videos! Both of them.

Hi! I love this topic as I get overwhelmed with big lists too. In fact, this is kind of a hallmark trait for those with ADHD. Every organizing book says make a list of all that’s in your head and you will see it’s not that big. Then prioritize said list in a systematic way. Then the creative type comes up with two pages and wants to crawl back in bed! I like the way you just take one thing at a time!

So glad to see that plain planner included with the others! I use an 8.75 in x 5.75 in 1 subject notebook, college ruled. That's worked well for me and I appreciate the price!

I LOVE how your pretending to work on the computer ‘checking emails’ 🤣 Your so relatable! Thanks for the video! I just downloaded the google keep app, I think the color coding and sectioning is a great idea. I often get overwhelmed by my to dos and avoid it all completely. Thank you!

The problem that I have with every planning method is that I don't push my schedule to the point where I have things need to happen urgently, which makes it hard to prioritize what do next. I always find it hard to pretend that I *need* to get the thing done today when it's fine if it's a two-week turn around.

I use the iBloom planner and have for about 4 years. I totally love it!

Things 3 is a very clear and useful to do manager and what I use. You can see upcoming tasks and calendar all together. Very useful video. Going to try the 1 thing and Priorities today!

I appreciated this, especially because i have for such a long time been wanting one of those pretty inspiring planners &yet just don't think it would work for me. Nowive seen this video i can use (all those half used) notebooks i now have because im decluttering!😁. Win win. Thank you so much !

Love this series ❤️Thanks so much.

I love simple, simple... could you do a video on how you schedule housekeeping activities? Housecleaning etc?

Yes! A little confused and defeated before starting. Thank you for this video.🙂

This video was awesome. Thanks so much for turning me on to this app and showing me how to implement my to do list into my daily routine.

So very helpful, thank you!

Still simplifying!! I am visual also. Thank you, you are a great teacher

Thank you for making this video!! I need to do this!! 💕

Simple seems to always be best. Thanks for the practical reminder!

We use Google keep for our grocery list, my husband and I share it with each other and love how it updates in real time. So if for example he plans on going to Costco after work I can update the list throughout the day rather than text him every time I think of an item to add. I prefer my to do list on paper but I need that 5 second journal! Lately I'm just using random pieces of paper and it's not so motivating... love your videos as usual!!!

Good tips Dawn! Thanks for sharing 🌸

Awesome tips! I like idea of picking one thing to make sure to get done in a day. I definitely put off the big tasks and they all pile up!

I use a planner with to do list... A brain dump is a must for me just so that I can go to sleep at night…For me there’s something so gratifying about writing it on paper and crossing it off

Love this video...my to do list is on a small spiral notebook that i can carry with me in my work bag.... and i try to also keep it on my phone just in case i dont have my bag on hand... i kinda go back and forth checking to see what needs to be done.. working on having only one 😊

I use a spiral notebook. List blocks by “ AM,PM,and then list after supper. I do this daily after my Bible study/prayer time. As I do them in the notebook too, it’s just a natural thing to make that step next. 😊

Great a video, very simple but effective. I love your office. Have a great 2021.

Also Dawn, I would love if you did a video tutorial on your new hairstyle!

Thanks for sharing your process!

I love the physical act of writing, therefore I use my (very minimal not fancypancy) bulletjournal to jot down all my thoughts, my journalling, brain dumping and write out my monthly & weekly outlay, followed by my dailies (daily todos, incl a single priority). Next to this I jumped in to GTD and use OmniFocus on my devices. so combination of paper with my Bulletjournal (for everything and anything), and electronically with OmniFocus (Todo) & Fantastical (Agenda) on my devices to manage my time, days, and thoughts (GTD style).