The Ivy Lee Method is an easy and effective way to help you prioritize tasks, especially if you want to manage your time better. This method was created by a productivity expert named Ivy Lee over a hundred years ago. It can really help busy people get more done in their daily lives.
The Ivy Lee Method is simple and has just a few steps to follow:
At the End of Each Day: Spend about 15 minutes thinking about your day. Write down the six most important things you need to do the next day.
Prioritize the Tasks: Put these tasks in order of importance. Which ones need to be done first?
The Following Day: Start with your top task and work your way down the list. Try to finish one task before moving on to the next.
Repeat the Process: At the end of each day, do it all over again.
Clarity: By focusing on just six tasks, you highlight what’s really important. It’s less overwhelming than looking at a long list of maybe 20 items. With only six, you can clearly see your main goals.
Focus: Completing one task at a time helps you avoid distractions. For example, if you’re a writer, instead of trying to work on multiple writing projects at once, just concentrate on one project each day. This can really boost how much you get done.
Accountability: This method makes you think about what you achieved each day. In the evening, you can look back at what you did and plan for tomorrow.
Compared to other ways to prioritize tasks, like the Eisenhower Matrix—which splits tasks into four groups based on how urgent or important they are—the Ivy Lee Method is easier to follow. The Eisenhower Matrix works well for people who like visuals, but the Ivy Lee Method is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of thought.
Let’s say you own a small business. At the end of your day, you might write down:
The next day, you would start by submitting payroll. Once you finish it, you can cross it off and move on to the marketing campaign. This focused way of working helps you finish tasks and clears your mind from thinking about too many things at once.
In short, the Ivy Lee Method is a great way to prioritize your tasks. It helps bring clarity, focus, and accountability to how you manage your work. By getting into the habit of prioritizing your daily tasks, you can become more productive and enjoy a better balance between work and life.
The Ivy Lee Method is an easy and effective way to help you prioritize tasks, especially if you want to manage your time better. This method was created by a productivity expert named Ivy Lee over a hundred years ago. It can really help busy people get more done in their daily lives.
The Ivy Lee Method is simple and has just a few steps to follow:
At the End of Each Day: Spend about 15 minutes thinking about your day. Write down the six most important things you need to do the next day.
Prioritize the Tasks: Put these tasks in order of importance. Which ones need to be done first?
The Following Day: Start with your top task and work your way down the list. Try to finish one task before moving on to the next.
Repeat the Process: At the end of each day, do it all over again.
Clarity: By focusing on just six tasks, you highlight what’s really important. It’s less overwhelming than looking at a long list of maybe 20 items. With only six, you can clearly see your main goals.
Focus: Completing one task at a time helps you avoid distractions. For example, if you’re a writer, instead of trying to work on multiple writing projects at once, just concentrate on one project each day. This can really boost how much you get done.
Accountability: This method makes you think about what you achieved each day. In the evening, you can look back at what you did and plan for tomorrow.
Compared to other ways to prioritize tasks, like the Eisenhower Matrix—which splits tasks into four groups based on how urgent or important they are—the Ivy Lee Method is easier to follow. The Eisenhower Matrix works well for people who like visuals, but the Ivy Lee Method is straightforward and doesn’t require a lot of thought.
Let’s say you own a small business. At the end of your day, you might write down:
The next day, you would start by submitting payroll. Once you finish it, you can cross it off and move on to the marketing campaign. This focused way of working helps you finish tasks and clears your mind from thinking about too many things at once.
In short, the Ivy Lee Method is a great way to prioritize your tasks. It helps bring clarity, focus, and accountability to how you manage your work. By getting into the habit of prioritizing your daily tasks, you can become more productive and enjoy a better balance between work and life.