Most successful people, from the top CEOs of multi-national companies to entrepreneurs of small businesses, use "To Do" lists. They can help anyone who wants to use their limited time effectively. They can keep you focused on what really needs to be done, and keep you away from unimportant tasks that have no value. The result? More time to do what you want!

1. Make It A Daily Record
   
   Every day you should make a "To Do" list. You will find it invaluable in helping you decide where your priorities lie.
   
   
2. The Nuts and Bolts of Your "To Do" List
   
   Write down all your outstanding tasks on a sheet of paper, and then carefully go through deciding if an item is to be graded as:
   
   
   • Urgent;
   • Important but not urgent;
   • Not urgent nor important.
   
   Within categories a and b it will be necessary for you to prioritise so the most urgent task becomes a1, then the next becomes a2 etc. Do this with b tasks but not c tasks. Some people prefer to colour code the items instead; with such a system the a tasks may be coloured red, the b tasks blue etc.
   
   
3. Using the "To Do" List
   
   Each morning you must update your "To Do" list. Bring forward the a, b, and c items not completed the day before onto another sheet of paper. Add new items to the lists, after considering carefully where each new item should go. Then review the list and start on the top priorities, crossing off each one as it is finished throughout the day. Some managers prefer to have separate sheets for each type – one sheet for the a list, another sheet for the b list etc.
   
   So what do you do with the c items? If you have staff, then delegate; if not, decide if you are going to complete them or not. Dispose of all items you decide are not worth doing.
   
   Instead of rewriting your list each morning an alternative method is to spend the last 15 minutes of your day on your list so that you can start immediately the next day.
   
   
4. How Pareto's Principle May Help You
   
   Pareto was an Italian economist who observed that 20 percent of the people in Italy owned 80 percent of the country's wealth. This resulted in the 80/20 Rule. Broadly speaking 80 percent of all results come from 20 percent of all efforts. So identify which 20 percent is the most important and you can't help but be more successful.
   
   One word of caution: items on the b list that are not completed within a reasonable time scale have a habit of suddenly becoming a major a item!
   
   I have used a "To Do" list for many, many years and it has enabled me to keep on top of my responsibilities and enjoy my family life. I sincerely recommend that you use such a list.