The Method

Illustration of the To Do Method checklist

For centuries, humanity has struggled with the fundamental question: "How do I get stuff done?"

Philosophers pondered it. Monks meditated on it. Silicon Valley spent billions trying to solve it with apps, AI, and standing desks. Entire consulting firms exist to answer this question.

But the answer has been right in front of us all along.

Make a list of things to do

Do some of the things on the list

Repeat

That's it. That's the whole method. You can stop reading now if you want. But if you need more convincing (and apparently some people do), read on.

Step 1: Make a List

This is the foundational step. Without a list, you're just a person with vague intentions and a lot of anxiety. With a list, you're a person with specific anxiety. That's progress.

What Goes on the List?

Things you need to do
Things you should do
Things you probably won't do but writing them down makes you feel responsible
Things you've already done (so you can cross them off immediately for a dopamine hit)

What Medium Should I Use?

It literally does not matter.

Paper and pen
A notes app
A $300/year productivity suite
The back of a receipt
A tattoo (not recommended for grocery lists)
Skywriting (bold choice, limited characters)

Pro Tip: The best list is the one you'll actually look at. A beautifully organized Notion database is useless if you never open it. A crumpled sticky note on your desk is perfect if it works.

Step 2: Do Some of the Things

Notice we said "some." Not "all." The To Do Method is realistic. You're not going to finish everything. Nobody finishes everything. People who claim they finish everything are either lying or have very short lists.

How to Choose What to Do

Any of these strategies work:

Start at the top — Classic. Traditional. Your grandparents would be proud.
Do the easy ones first — Build momentum! Feel productive! Ignore the hard stuff!
Do the hard ones first — Get them out of the way. Then coast. (Also known as "eating the frog.")
Do whatever you feel like — Chaotic but valid.
Close your eyes and point — Let fate decide. Very exciting.

Important: "Reorganizing the list" does not count as doing a thing on the list. We see you. Stop it.

Step 3: Repeat

When you've done some things, go back to the list. Add new things. Do more things. This cycle continues until you die or retire, whichever comes first.

Some people call this "iteration." Some people call this "just living your life." The To Do Method calls it Step 3.

How The To Do Method Compares

Feature	The To Do Method	Other Methods
Steps	3	Usually 7-47
Certification required	No	Often yes ($$$)
Mountain retreat needed	No	Apparently
Consultants needed	No (but available)	Always yes ($$$$$)
Works	Yes	Debatable
Cost	Free	Your soul

Common Mistakes

Making the list too long. If your list is longer than a CVS receipt, you've gone too far.
Never actually doing things. The list is not decorative. It's functional.
Spending more time organizing the list than doing things on it. This is a trap. Don't fall for it.
Adding "make a list" to the list. That's a paradox. We don't do paradoxes here.
Using the list as a guilt mechanism. The list is your friend, not your therapist.

Remember: The To Do Method works because it's simple. The moment you start adding complexity, you've defeated the purpose. Keep it simple. Make the list. Do the things. Repeat.

Ready for more? Check out our Frequently Asked Confusing Kvestions or jump straight to Advanced Techniques™.