Advanced Techniques™

(™ not actually trademarked. We put it there because it looks official.)

⚠️ Warning: The following techniques are for experienced To Do Method Practitioners only. If you haven't mastered the basic 3-step method, please return to The Method and practice until you can make a list, do things, and repeat without assistance.

Technique #1: The Prioritized List

Instead of just making a list, you make a list in order of importance.

We know. Revolutionary. Hold your applause.

Put the most important things at the top and the least important things at the bottom. Then do the things at the top first. If you run out of time, the stuff at the bottom doesn't get done. But that's okay, because it was at the bottom for a reason.

Difficulty Level: Moderate. Requires the ability to rank things. If you can't decide what's more important, flip a coin. The universe will sort it out.

Technique #2: The Two Lists

This is where things get wild. Instead of one list, you make two lists:

List A: Things you actually need to do today
List B: Things you should do eventually but let's be honest, not today

Focus on List A. Glance at List B occasionally to feel mild guilt. Move things from List B to List A when they become urgent (usually the day before they're due).

Danger Zone: Do NOT create a List C. Three lists is a gateway to spreadsheets, and spreadsheets are a gateway to Gantt charts, and Gantt charts are a gateway to a career in project management. You've been warned.

Technique #3: The Crossed-Off Celebration

Every time you cross something off the list, take a moment to celebrate. Options include:

A satisfied nod
A whispered "yes"
An aggressive crossing-off motion with a thick marker
A small fist pump
Telling someone who doesn't care
A full confetti cannon (see the home page for a preview)

Studies we haven't conducted suggest that celebration increases dopamine, which increases motivation, which increases the likelihood of doing more things on the list. Science.

Technique #4: The Delegation Gambit

An advanced variation where you look at your list and ask: "Can someone else do this?"

If yes → ask them to do it. Cross it off YOUR list. It's now on THEIR list. Their problem.

If no → Do it!!

Note: This technique works best if you have employees, children, or a very agreeable roommate. Results may vary with spouses.

Technique #5: The Time Box

Set a timer. Work on things from the list until the timer goes off. Then stop. Even if you're mid-task.

Some people do 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off (they call this "Pomodoro" and charge money to teach it). Some people do 52 minutes on, 17 minutes off (they call this "productivity science"). Some people work until they're hungry and then eat (they call this "being a person").

Pick whatever interval doesn't annoy you. The timer is not your boss.

Technique #6: The "Already Did It" Cheat

Did you do something productive that wasn't on the list? Add it to the list retroactively and immediately cross it off.

Is this cheating? Some might say yes. We say it's creative accounting for productivity. The point is to feel good about what you've accomplished. Nobody's grading this.

Technique #7: The Catastrophe List

For when everything is on fire. Steps:

Throw away your current list
Write down only the 3 most critical things
Do those 3 things
Assess if the world is still on fire
If yes → repeat with 3 new things
If no → return to regular list operations

Important: If the world is literally on fire, call the fire department. That's not a list problem.

Technique #8: The Anti-List

Make a list of things you will NOT do. This is surprisingly powerful. Examples:

Won't: Check email more than 3 times today
Won't: Attend meetings that could be an email
Won't: Spend 2 hours choosing a productivity app
Won't: Reorganize my desk as procrastination
Won't: Read another article about productivity instead of being productive

Mastery Level Comparison

Level	Technique	Risk
Beginner	The basic 3 steps	None
Intermediate	Prioritized List	Mild decision fatigue
Advanced	Two Lists	List FOMO
Expert	Delegation Gambit	Social consequences
Grandmaster	Anti-List	Existential clarity
Transcendent	No list needed. You just... do things.	Are you even human?

Final Thought: If you've read this far, you've spent more time reading about productivity than most people spend being productive. Close this page. Open your list. Do a thing!!