At the end of each day, I measured my overall productivity and stress-levels. The number of meetings I had between Monday and Thursday did vary slightly (I’ve noted where this may have been a factor).

Every morning, I set out to complete 12 tasks that required a similar amount of effort, time, and focus, and eight of which were important for me to complete by 5 PM. I scoured HBR’s archives for research on the best to-do list methods out there and pledged to give my four favorites a try.įor four days, I tried four different strategies.

There are a lot of methods out there for staying organized, and over the years, I’ve tried most of them: keeping my to-do list in notebooks, bullet journals, paper planners, phone apps, and hundreds of color-coded Post-its plastered to my desk. Sadly, I’ve never quite mastered the whole “ productivity” thing, at least not in a cohesive way. It was around this time that I started experimenting with different planners and to-do lists. There was so much to keep track of: homework, internships, extracurriculars, where I put my car keys. Suddenly, it felt impossible to remember things as well as I used to. My brain changed during my first year of college. (Anyone have an extra proton pack lying around?) Every day it just grows bigger and bigger as I desperately try to get it under control.

That’s kind of what my to-do list reminds me of. You know that slimy, green ghost from Ghostbusters? The one that floats around eating everything in sight? This method is good for self-motivated people with competing priorities who love crossing the easy items off their list (a little too much), and don’t need much support to stay focused.

Thursday: Make three lists, one for immediate tasks, one for future tasks, and one for tasks you’re never going to get done.

This method is good for techies and people who have A LOT of tasks to organize, or are working on a variety of projects.

Wednesday: Use a digital task manager.

This method is good for daydreamers, multitaskers, and people who are easily distracted.

Tuesday: Keep a running list but do just “one thing” on it.

This method is good for people who like structure, aren’t afraid of a crowded calendar, and love planning ahead.

Monday: Get rid of your to-do list and instead schedule out your tasks in your digital calendar.

I tracked my overall productivity and stress levels to see which worked best. But which method prevails? Over four days, I tried four ways of organizing my to-do list. There are a lot of methods out there for staying organized.

Super organized chart of timetable