Two years ago, I was equal parts horrified and secretly deleted when the “to do’s” on my list reached triple digits.  The list was a true work of art.  Created in Excel and featuring six descriptive columns per item, my “to do’s” were color coded and regularly updated to add 2-3 items replacing each one checked off.  The printed version regularly exceeded two pages.

 

The list was a horrible time suck.  Hours were spent maintaining its glossy Excel beauty, rather than actually accomplishing tasks.  When a window of time presented itself, I wasted most of it scouring the list trying to decide what to get done.  The list was broken beyond repair.

 

Thankfully, around that time, I stumbled across the concept of MIT’s (Most Important Tasks), and my “to do” list was reborn.  Rather than create a daily unrealistic litany of items to accomplish, I now identify just 4 MIT’s.  These are the must do’s, and the limited number means successfully checking off all of them is within reach.  Generally, I begin my day by knocking off an easy task, and briefly basking in the sense of accomplishment.  My attention then turns to any less-than-pleasant task, which is wiped out before procrastination and avoidance can set in.

 

Still an Excel geek at heart, my new MIT Task List is Excel-based by the week (see below), though I frequently jot down the current MIT’s on an index card to carry around for the day.  Below the MIT’s are generally a few “bonus” tasks that would be great to accomplish, but are not MUST do’s.  At the bottom of my list are calendar highlights for the week.

 

Transforming the old-school “to do” list into the MIT format has resulted in a shocking productivity increase, not to mention reduction in stress.  I am grateful for the peace and productivity the simplified MIT’s have ushered into my life.       

 

 

Due Date	Description
Mon.-MIT
Mon.-MIT
Mon.-MIT
Mon.-MIT
Mon.
Mon.
Mon.
Mon.
Tues.-MIT
Tues.-MIT
Tues.-MIT
Tues.-MIT
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Tues.
Wed.-MIT
Wed.-MIT
Wed.-MIT
Wed.-MIT
Wed.
Wed.
Wed.
Wed.
Th.-MIT
Th.-MIT
Th.-MIT
Th.-MIT
Th.
Th.
Th.
Th.
Fri.-MIT
Fri.-MIT
Fri.-MIT
Fri.-MIT
Fri.
Fri.
Fri.
Fri.
Sat.-MIT
Sat.-MIT
Sat.
Sat.
Sun.-MIT
Sun.-MIT
Sun.
Sun.

Calendar Highlights:

Monday	12/29
Tuesday	12/30
Wednesday	12/31
Thursday	1/1
Friday	1/2
Saturday	1/3
Sunday	1/4