Keeping a to-do list is a great way to stay organized – as long as you actually use it.

There are dozens of digital apps and physical planners to help you stay productive.

But what happens when your list is so daunting that it seems like nothing ever gets done?

Writing down your goals for the day does increase the likelihood that you’ll do them. But, you must use your to-do list in an efficient, organized, and consistent manner if you want it to work.

When your to-do list is full of things you don’t want to do, it’s easy to find distractions. Maybe Facebook, Pinterest, or Candy Crush are your black holes. Or, perhaps you are productive, but not spending your time on the right things.

So how do you get motivated to check those tasks off of your to-do list for good?

With these proven methods, you’ll knock those tasks out of the way!

1. Organize Your Lists

Finding an organizational method that works for you is the first – and often hardest – step.

If you type “ways to organize your to-do list” into a search engine, you’ll get millions of results.

It’s like going to Pinterest for DIY craft ideas. Hours later, you’ll stretch, blink, and come out of the vortex you were sucked into, wondering where your day went.

Stephen Covey, author of the bestselling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, has a proven method. He suggests using quadrants to divide your daily tasks. This makes managing your time a lot easier.

He recommends that you break your tasks into four sections:

Quadrant I: Urgent and Important

These are tasks that absolutely must get done in a time-sensitive manner. For example, a crucial deadline with high stakes goes here.

Quadrant II: Not Urgent but Important

These tasks aren’t time-sensitive but are still important. Your child’s school event or a friend’s wedding go here. Things that will help you move toward your long-term goals go here as well.

Quadrant III: Urgent but Not Important

The tasks in this category are things that have to get done but won’t add much value to the day. Cleaning the house and answering mundane work emails go here.

Quadrant IV: Not Urgent and Not Important

These are time wasters, such as scrolling through social media and watching TV. You should limit the amount of time you spend doing the items in this quadrant…
 
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