How to make a to-do list that actually works

Many of us try to prioritize our work by making to-do lists but often end up achieving nothing from it. We’ve always blamed this inability to complete tasks on the lack of time! We have plenty of time these days, and still more often than not end up feeling buried under the lists of tasks we have. And this brings us to the crux of the matter - the art of making a to-do list that is effective! 

Making a to-do list can, at times, be frustrating. To top it all, the apps we have to create digital checklists only confuse us further. But they aren’t all that bad. In fact, they are known to boost productivity, by making us visualize everything in one place. Keeping such lists not only makes us efficient in prioritizing the work we have but also ensures that we don't forget anything. 

You should learn how to make a to-do list that is intentionally limited and focused on what needs to be done on priority. All of this can be accomplished by following author Jake Knapp’s simple to-do list method called The Burner List. The best part? It only involves a pen and paper.

The Burner List

Jake Knapp felt that the traditional methods of making to-do lists force us to prioritize everything at once. They can ultimately become chaotic and hard to keep up with. In order to understand how to make a to-do list that actually works, Knapp devised The Burner List. The aim of the list is to prioritize one project at a time, just like a chef whose concentration is primarily on the dish in front of him.

If you would also like to focus on one thing at a time, then make your own Burner List with a few simple steps: 

1. Make two columns

The first step on how to make a to-do list is to take your sheet of paper and divide it into two columns. You can either draw a straight line or simply fold it in half. Title the left column “Front Burner,” instructs Knapp, and the right column “Back Burner.” 

The Burner List technique takes inspiration from how a chef behaves in the kitchen. When a chef keeps something on a front burner, it becomes his priority. On the other hand, putting something on the back burner means that it does not require immediate attention. 

2. Write down your most important task

The column labelled as the front burner is where you write down your most important project. Just chefs only keep one dish at a time on the front burner, you too can only keep only one project. 

So, choose your front burner project wisely. Write it down in the left-hand column on the top and underline it. Follow this by listing the to-dos for your most important project. 

3. Leave some space

Leave the rest of your left column empty. The aim of this list is not to fill it up with clutter, as that will only leave you overwhelmed and stressed. When you are learning how to make a to-do list, understand that its intention is to not burden you, but instead allow you to make good use of your time and energy. Moreover, the extra visual space will help you concentrate on what’s important. 

4. Put down your second most important task

After you realize what your second most important project is, write it down under the column labeled as the back burner (your right-hand column). Your second most important task is the one that does not require immediate attention. 

Knapp compares this to a chef whose back burner consists of another pan (project/task) which need not be stirred every second. The front burner, however, is where the action takes place. 

5. List your miscellaneous tasks

Devote the bottom-right column of your page to all your miscellaneous tasks, and label it as “the Kitchen Sink”. Your least important action items, which have nothing to do with your Front and Back Burner projects, go here. Putting them in this smaller space will urge you to limit your smaller priorities and stay focused on your bigger goals.

Cook your projects

Once you’ve learnt how to make a to-do list like The Burner List, all that is left for you to do is to conquer your projects one by one. Yes, this list does not have room for all your projects. But what we must understand is that in such trying times, The Burner List can help us focus on what’s really important. 

So, stop juggling everything at once and understand how to make a to-do list that allows you to set your priorities right. Prioritise tasks that need to be accomplished and get ready to cook your projects, one at a time.

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