List Your Tasks & Obligations

By writing down all the tasks you complete, you see where your time goes. 

By making a "done" list, you can make better decisions when you have hard data on your work, and you’ll be motivated to keep at it when you can actually see your progress.

A one-three-five list looks at task size, instead of time or urgency. Using it you can make more informed decisions when urgent tasks pop up and better prioritize your other work. To make one:

• Fill the first slot with the biggest job of the day.
• Pick three smaller, but sti...

Doing so at the end of your workday boosts your productivity:

• It helps you stop thinking about work: writing out a plan to finish uncompleted tasks provides the same mental relief as actually completing the task.
• It increases your willpower: starting the day wi...