Want to become more productive – try the Ivy Lee Method

The Ivy Lee method is a 100-year-old strategy for helping people become more productive at work.

How does it work?

1 – At the end of each work day, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. Do not write down more than six tasks. 

2 – Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance. 

3 – The next day, you begin working on the tasks one at a time. Concentrate only on the first task. Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second task. DON’T check emails first – begin your task.  

5 – Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six tasks for the following day. 

Repeat this process every working day. 

The strategy works because it reduces “decision fatigue,” saves you time, and forces you to prioritize your goals. 

The Ivy Lee method dates to 1918, when Lee, a productivity consultant, was hired by Charles M. Schwab, the president of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, to improve his company’s efficiency.  

Anyone interested in further details can just type ‘The Ivy Lee Method’ in Google and all will be revealed.  

NOTE: I appreciate 1918 was a world without email and everyone has a different way of working but if you really want to start reducing the burden of email then this habit forming tip may be of use.