Over the past few years I’ve been struggling with my TO DO list(s). It didn’t matter what I tried. A list with only 3 things on it, or long never ending lists of things that needed to get done. The problem was … I was NOT getting ANYTHING done!
Have YOU been there?
Are you there NOW?
I’ve tried dozens of programs that promised miracles, only to crash and burn. From Microsoft’s TO DO app to OneNote’s TO DO solution, which didn’t work at all! I’ve tried several dozen phone apps, from very simple ones to apps that theoretically gamify the process IF only you could figure out HOW to use it. I actually managed to keep one of my “habit building” apps going for almost two months and then … crashed.
In years past I grew my television production business with complex Gantt Charts (created by hand) and kept myself sane and organized with a paper binder and a yearly purchase of Day Timer calendar pages. That worked for me for over 20 years. I was able to organize and be on time for everything–often juggling up to six different television productions at a time.
Then I drastically changed my business from script writing and television production to website creation and SEO. With television production I was up and all over the place (including helicopters, planes and long road-trips). With the website business I pretty well sat at a desk ALL the time.
Instead of my binder, I drowned in sticky notes. I ended up keeping a notebook and would virtually re-invent my to-do list daily.
FRUSTRATED.
DISCOURAGED.
ANGRY AT MYSELF.
DEMORALIZED.
DEPRESSED.
Why on earth couldn’t I get myself organized and back into action?
Searching for solutions, I ran past TODOist numerous time on my phone. I actually opened it once . It looked complicated, and on the surface not much different than several others I tried.
One fortuitous day, while working on my computer, I ran across TODOist again. On the bigger screen I could actually see the BIG picture. It all of a sudden made sense.
It clicked …
I clicked …
and signed up for the free trial … ready for another frustrating failure.
I started with a few small things. I found something called a “streak” … which is a daily repeatable task you get tracked on and kinda rewarded for.
One day I realized my two streaks had been successfully adding up for 30 days. I started adding more tasks and creating projects. I learned how to create segments, lists and sub-tasks. I spent 10-20 minutes a day learning how to use TODOist and realized …
THIS is actually working!
I’d open my list every morning and scan what I had scheduled for the day. Before I shut down my computer, I checked out, added, moved tasks and refined the next days plan. And on my planning day (Sunday) I would look at my projects, refine them and set up my TODOs for the week.
Juggling my life’s daily tasks and long-term projects no longer felt like a Herculean effort. I’m still learning and still navigating the ins and outs, and discovering how to make the most of this nifty tool. But I’m feeling calmer now, and understand what I HAD been doing wrong — the things that made everything seem unworkable.
Bottom line is that TODOist has been a game-changer for me. MY productivity tripled, quadrupled and on a few days 10Xed Instead of being stuck all the time, I have a pathway that motivates me to get stuff done.
Here are a few of the major features of TODOist that have made a difference for me.
The Backbone of TODOist is Task Management
Creating tasks in TODOist is as easy as pie. Whether you’re typing away or speaking into your device, adding tasks is seamless. The magic really happens with due dates and priorities. Setting a task for “next Monday” or tagging it as a top priority with a red flag gets me organized faster than you can say “productive.”
But it doesn’t stop there. Sub-tasks and dependencies mean that big, scary projects become a series of manageable steps. It’s like telling yourself, “Hey, I can actually do this!” every time you break down a project into bite-sized tasks.
Organizing with Projects and Categories
I love how TODOist lets me compartmentalize my life. Work, home, friends —you name it, I’ve got a project for it. Adding custom labels and filters turns the app into my personal assistant, showing me exactly what I need to see, when I need to see it. It’s like having a bird’s-eye view of my life, which, let me tell you, is pretty darn cool. LOL it’s like being on TOP of the mountain, instead of being buried under it.
Collaboration Tools: Playing Nice with Others
Sharing projects with my VA or family members has never been smoother. TODOist allows us to toss the “Who’s doing what?” question out the window. We’re all on the same page, literally. And when we need to discuss a task or share a document? It all happens right there, in the app. Goodbye, endless email threads!
Integrations: Todoist Plays Well with Others
One of my favorite things about TODOist is how it seamlessly integrates with other apps. Watching my tasks pop up in Google Calendar or getting email reminders makes me feel like I’ve got my life together (even when I’m scrambling). It’s about making everything work together in harmony, and TODOist nails it.
Cross-Platform Synchronization: Your Tasks, Everywhere
The real beauty of TODOist is its cross-platform synchronization. Whether I’m on my phone, tablet, or laptop, my tasks are always there, updated in real-time. It’s like having a productivity shadow that follows you around, making sure you never miss a beat.
The Bottom Line
I can confidently say that TODOist is more than just a to-do list app. It’s a comprehensive system that’s transformed how I organize my life and work. With its intuitive design and powerful features, TODOist has become my go-to for staying on top of everything.
Whether you’re writing a book, managing a team project, planning your next vacation, or just being reminded to take the chicken out of the freezer, TODOist has got your back. Give it a try, and watch your productivity soar.
Here’s to getting things done and feeling great about it.
Cheers to mastering YOUR to-do list with TODOist!
Check out TODOist here: https://bit.ly/MR-TODO You can get started for free or use it for free forever, but I’m guessing you might want to ramp up depending on the number of projects you want to keep on track.
NOTE: I plan on creating a number of blog posts about some of the major things I learned along the way. HOW to plan for success vs. chaos and some of the nifty details and tricks I have learned along the way.
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