Finding the best to do list template app or software is a difficult task, given all of the choices available these days. First, you need to find out what kind of to do list template suits your style of working.
There are many different ways to create a to do list, and I want to lay some of them out here. In this article, I’ll cover:
- A template for both basic and complex to do lists
- How to organize to-dos for multiple projects
- 1 Time Management Template
- Frequently Asked Questions regarding to do lists
(If you are using the template for work purposes, try the weekly status report templates instead)
Try working with some of the following to do list templates to see what you like best:
If you want to use GTD templates, SWOT templates, then you can simply use the Priority Matrix software, which allows you to create, export, and share 4-quadrant templates.
You can try out Priority Matrix here, by entering your email:
Obviously, for those that prefer the simplest methods, you could just write your to dos down in any random order on a piece of paper, and cross them out as you complete them.
Things I have to do:
- Buy groceries
- Go to doctor’s office
- Visit parents
Pick kids up from school
However, by spending less time organizing your ideas, you may end up wasting more time later while completing the tasks.
Complex to do list template
Here is a to do list template with a little more complexity, which can be found at the Microsoft Office Templates website:
You can download the .docx file for this template here, or at the Microsoft Office Templates page here. This template adds more useful information onto the previous template, like “Due Date” and includes “Who” the task might involve. The same result can be accomplished in an excel spreadsheet, which allows for more complex sorting of to-dos. One can sort by Priority Level, due date, whether the task has been finished or not, etc.
Template for multiple to do lists
I personally find it easier to sort not only my tasks, but to sort my to do lists. I have different to do lists for different parts of my life. For instance, I have one for work, and one for home/life in general. Here is an example of how multiple to do lists can be useful:
Download the .docx file for this to do list template here.
What is the best way to organize a to do list?
Depending on your needs some ways may fit you better than others. However, for us, the best way to organize a to do list is to take into account 2 basic principles: prioritization and time management. Isn’t a to do list a tool to get the most out of your day?
So last, but certainly not least, here’s the to do list template that we like to use here at Appfluence:
Time management template
The Eisenhower time management matrix is our bread and butter, with good reason. We simply believe that organizing our tasks into 4 different levels of priority and urgency allows us to choose which tasks should be done first. Take a look here for the explanation of the 4-quadrant method.
Get your own 4-quadrant to-do list with Priority Matrix.
FAQs on to do lists
How do I create a shared check list?
You can always create online documents on Google Drive or Google Docs and share them with friends or teammates at work. You can use the same templates we linked for Microsoft Office and copy them to any Google Doc. But this isn’t the most comfortable and, let’s be honest, it’s not useful nor user-friendly. Priority Matrix was created exactly for this: coordinate tasks and workload on a shared organized list with teammates. These “projects” will help you get things done better than any other shared list out there.
Does Google have a to do list app?
Apart from Google Docs and Spreadsheets, there’s a notes app called Google Keep. This basic app will help you write down the sort of little stuff and ideas you would’ve typically written down on a post-it note. You can write down checklists, but it’s probably more useful for grocery shopping than actually managing your day.
How do you plan tasks?
Writing down your chores and tasks for the day is the first step towards planning how and when to do them. Next, you need to prioritize those tasks by estimating time consumption, urgency, importance… This will help you organize your days and weeks to get the most out of every hour every day. The 4-Quadrant Method, or the Eisenhower method, is extremely useful to put all your chores into context and do what needs to be done first! Check out more information on how to use it here.
What is the best to do list?
There’s no concrete answer to that question, we all have different needs and we’ll use them in different ways. While we can’t answer exactly what to do list is best for you, we can recommend what to do list is flexible enough so that you can use it for almost any sort of situation: the 4-Quadrant Method. The advantage of having 4 different quadrants to organize tasks according to priorities and time will allow you to organize the most basic tasks or integrate the more complex ones into a busy agenda. Learn more about this method, and how Priority Matrix can help you unleash your productivity!
Learn more about the 4-Quadrant Method in Priority Matrix:
Got any ways you create to-do-lists? Let us know in the comments.
Interested in managing your to-do list like we do? Sign up to try Priority Matrix by entering your email below!
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