Long to-do lists can overwhelm even the most energetic person. And when your ambitious goals are tangled with mundane errands, the spiral only worsens.
The Ivy Lee Method is a deceptively simple productivity framework that promises to help you prioritize tasks and achieve more in less time by managing time better.
By focusing on just six critical tasks each day, it can have you accomplishing more and feeling less stressed. Let’s see how!
The Ivy Lee Method: A Simple Path to Peak Productivity
- What Is the Ivy Lee Method?
- History of the Ivy Lee Method
- Suggested Reading: More Information on the Ivy Lee Method
- Core Components of the Ivy Lee Method
- Benefits of the Ivy Lee Method
- Tips for Effective Use of the Ivy Lee Method
- Popular Usage and Examples of the Ivy Lee Method
- Challenges in Using the Ivy Lee Method
- How to Implement the Ivy Lee Method Using ClickUp
- Finding Your Productivity Sweet Spot
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is the Ivy Lee Method?
The Ivy Lee Method is a productivity technique centered around prioritizing and tackling the most important tasks first. Its beauty lies in its simplicity: At the end of each workday, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow. Prioritize those six tasks in order of importance. When you start your workday, focus solely on the first task until it’s finished and fully completed. Then, move on to the second, then the third, and so on.
This straightforward method of managing time addresses the fundamental struggle of feeling overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list. By forcing you to choose and prioritize just six tasks, the Ivy Lee Method cuts through the clutter and helps you focus on what truly matters.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHistory of the Ivy Lee Method
Ivy Ledbetter Lee, a pioneer in public relations, is credited with developing this productivity technique.
Around 1918, Charles M. Schwab, a highly successful industrialist leading the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, sought ways to enhance his team’s productivity. He met with Ivy Lee for a consultation.
The story goes that Schwab demanded, “Show me a way to get more done.” Lee’s reply was unconventional: “Give me 15 minutes with each of your executives.”
Lee took a gamble on his method’s effectiveness. He told Schwab, “Nothing unless it works. After three months, you can send me a check for whatever you feel it’s worth to you.”
The results spoke for themselves. After three months of implementing the Ivy Lee Method, Schwab reportedly sent Lee a hefty check, believed to be equivalent to around $500,000 today. This cemented the method’s reputation as a powerful tool for boosting productivity.
Despite its historical significance, the Ivy Lee Method remains remarkably simple, focusing on prioritizing and tackling tasks effectively.
Summarize this article for me pleaseSuggested Reading: More Information on the Ivy Lee Method
If you’d like to understand the Ivy Lee Method in greater detail, I recommend reading these resources:
- The Ivy Lee Method: The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity by James Clear: Author of the bestselling Atomic Habits, James Clear, offers comprehensive insights into this productivity technique in this article. He explores the key factors that make the Ivy Lee method effective
- The Ivy Lee Method: The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity by Sikandar Sami: This book compiles the fundamentals of the Ivy Lee Method in a simplified format. It can be a quick reference handbook when you need to brush up on your productivity strategy without getting into too many details
- Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt: This book explores the power of prioritization and can be a valuable companion to understanding the Ivy Lee Method. It emphasizes focusing on the right things rather than just getting more done. It also proposes the Stop-Cut-Act framework to identify big goals, say no to unnecessary tasks, and adopt activities that help you get closer to your goals
Summarize this article for me pleaseCore Components of the Ivy Lee Method
The Ivy Lee Method is built on three core principles:
1. Prioritization: At the end of each workday, take some time to identify the six most important tasks you need to accomplish the following day
Ask yourself, ‘What are the six things I absolutely must complete tomorrow to feel like I’ve had a successful day?’ Be ruthless in your selection—six tasks is the limit.
2. Task sequencing: Once you’ve identified your six tasks, prioritize them in order of importance. Start with the most critical task, the one that will have the biggest impact on your day’s goals. Don’t move on to the second task until the first one is fully finished
A quick tip: According to Harvard Business Review, knowledge workers can reclaim up to 20% of their workweek by identifying unimportant tasks and delegating them to others.
3. Single-tasking: Focus all your energy on completing the first task on your list. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by emails, social media, and other interruptions. Once the first task is complete, move on to the second task.
Last night, for example, I prioritized writing an article (this one!) as my most important task for today. By keeping myself focused solely on this task, I was able to knock it out in a flow state before anything else could distract me. As a result, I felt an instant sense of accomplishment after finishing this task. It set a positive tone for the entire day.
At the end of your workday, make it a habit to revisit your priority list. Move any unfinished tasks to the top of tomorrow’s list. Also, add new important tasks for the next day.
Summarize this article for me pleaseBenefits of the Ivy Lee Method
Ivy Lee’s approach to productivity benefits you with:
- Sharpened focus and reduced distractions: By identifying only six crucial tasks daily, the method eliminates the clutter of endless to-do lists. This allowed me to dedicate my full attention to the most important things, minimizing distractions and creating a state of deep work
- A clearer understanding of your goals: The Ivy Lee Method forces you to confront your priorities head-on. Selecting just six tasks requires careful consideration of actions that produce the greatest outcomes. Also, this process translates into a clearer understanding of your goals and the steps needed to achieve them
- Elimination of decision fatigue: Our willpower is a finite resource. Every decision—big or small—depletes it, killing productivity. The Ivy Lee Method minimizes decision fatigue by eliminating the constant deliberation about ‘what to do next?’ With the most important task pre-determined, you can launch into your workday with a clear direction
- A sense of accomplishment: Completing six well-chosen tasks feels substantial. The Ivy Lee Method promotes a winning attitude, which can be a powerful motivator and fuel further productivity
Summarize this article for me pleaseTips for Effective Use of the Ivy Lee Method
Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of the Ivy Lee Method:
- Allocate dedicated time at the end of each workday to identify your six tasks for the following day. This ensures you approach the task with a clear mind and avoid the temptation to procrastinate
- When choosing your six tasks, be realistic about what you can accomplish in a day. Don’t overload your list, as this can lead to discouragement and derail your progress
- While the Ivy Lee Method emphasizes focus, it doesn’t advocate working yourself to exhaustion. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to refresh your mind and maintain your energy levels
- Keep track of your completed tasks each day. This provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue using the method
- At the end of each week, take some time to review your task list. Identify any recurring tasks or areas where your prioritization could be improved
Summarize this article for me pleasePopular Usage and Examples of the Ivy Lee Method
Schwab’s success with the Ivy Lee Method was like a splash in a still pond. The news rippled outwards, first through industrial circles. Executives, hungry for an edge in the competitive landscape, devoured any information they could find about Lee’s ‘miracle method’.
Articles appeared in trade journals, praising the simplicity and effectiveness of focusing on just six daily tasks. Word eventually reached beyond the steel mills and factories. Businesspeople, writers, and even politicians began to experiment with the Ivy Lee Method.
Stories of increased productivity and a newfound sense of control over their days were shared extensively. The method’s lack of complexity—a pen, paper, and a touch of discipline—made it accessible to anyone, irrespective of their profession.
Today, its core principles resonate with many productivity frameworks. The idea of prioritizing tasks and focusing on one at a time is a cornerstone of modern project management.
However, some criticisms of the method include oversimplification, limited flexibility, and lack of time estimation—some common challenges still relevant today.
Despite these challenges, the Ivy Lee method’s core message of prioritization and focus remains valuable. It’s a great starting point for anyone overwhelmed by to-do lists, and its simplicity makes it easy to integrate into existing workflows.
The Ivy Lee Method’s flexibility can be adapted to different work styles and preferences. Here are a few examples:
- Digital to-do lists: I prefer to use digital to-do list apps to manage my tasks. You can easily customize these apps to accommodate the Ivy Lee Method—I usually create a separate list of the six most important tasks for the next day
- Bullet journaling: Bullet journaling enthusiasts can integrate the Ivy Lee Method by dedicating a daily spread to listing and prioritizing their six most important tasks and reflecting on their progress at the end of the day
- Teamwork: This can be a valuable tool for teams as well. Team leaders can use the method to prioritize team goals and assign tasks based on importance
- Project management: Project managers can use the Ivy Lee Method to prioritize daily tasks related to specific projects, ensuring they stay on track and meet deadlines
- Creative work: Writers, artists, and other creative professionals can use the productivity technique to prioritize tasks related to brainstorming, research, execution, and revision
- Learning: Students can prioritize study tasks, assignments, and project work, ensuring they stay focused and avoid last-minute cramming
Tips from Redditors:
Summarize this article for me pleaseChallenges in Using the Ivy Lee Method
Let’s be clear: The Ivy Lee Method does have its fair share of challenges. I’ve tried to make it work in several workplaces and in different roles, and that’s when I noticed a few areas where it failed to be as effective as it usually is.
- Inflexibility: The limited number of tasks (six) can feel restrictive for some users with heavy workloads. There may be days when more than six tasks require attention
- Limited adaptability: I felt this method might not be ideal for highly dynamic work environments where priorities can shift rapidly. It’s also best suited for tasks with clear beginnings and endings. It may be less effective for open-ended or ongoing projects
- Difficulty in task estimation: Accurately strategizing the time required to complete each task can be difficult. Underestimating task duration can lead to feelings of discouragement when the list isn’t completed
Here are some alternative productivity methods you might find helpful:
- The Eisenhower Matrix: The Ivy Lee method prioritizes tasks, but it doesn’t consider urgency. The Eisenhower Matrix categorizes tasks by urgency and importance, helping you focus on critical tasks that need immediate attention alongside important but less urgent ones, ensuring you don’t miss deadlines
- The Pomodoro Technique: The Ivy Lee method doesn’t address focus or the potential for overwhelm and workload paralysis. However, the Pomodoro Technique focuses on effective time management by making room for downtime. Its timed intervals and scheduled breaks combat the challenges of the Ivy Lee Method by promoting focused work in manageable chunks, preventing burnout, and keeping you energized throughout the day
- Getting Things Done (GTD): While Ivy Lee’s method is rigid with its single daily list, there’s flexibility in the Getting Things Done technique
GTD offers a comprehensive system for capturing all your tasks and projects and then processing and organizing them into actionable steps. This flexibility allows you to manage a larger workload and adapt to changing priorities
You can always turn to technological solutions to overcome challenges in the Ivy Lee Method. For example, ClickUp offers a versatile task management platform with dedicated tools to assist you at every step.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Implement the Ivy Lee Method Using ClickUp
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started with the Ivy Lee Method using ClickUp:
Step 1: Identify your top 6 tasks using ClickUp Tasks and to-do lists
Create a dedicated task list using ClickUp Tasks or ClickUp’s Online To-Do List App. The title could be as simple as ‘Tomorrow’s Top 6’. This will serve as your daily to-do list for the six most important tasks.
You can choose the simple List view within ClickUp Tasks to visualize your top tasks in one place. At the end of each workday, create a new list for the following workday and add all pending tasks to the new list.
Step 2: Prioritize tasks and set due dates in order of urgency and importance
Use ClickUp Task Priorities to rank your tasks from most important to least important. You can drag and drop the tasks into their respective priority lists: urgent, high priority, normal, and low priority.
The task at the top becomes your number one priority (aligning perfectly with the Ivy Lee Method’s focus on tackling the most important task first).
Be dedicated to your prioritization and limit your list to only the six most critical tasks for the day. I usually delete or move less important tasks to a separate ‘Next Day’ or ‘Later’ list.
Having a visual indicator for priority levels (e.g., color coding, star system) within your list of six tasks can help you instantly recognize your top six and keep them at the forefront of your mind.
Alternatively, you can use the pre-built ClickUp Priority Matrix Template. It helps you categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance and is customizable to accommodate more than six tasks.
Use the template to:
- Prioritize tasks: Brainstorm and identify the most critical tasks from everything on your to-do list. The template helps you visualize your priorities so you can evaluate their urgency and importance quickly
- Refine your top tasks: Once you have a good understanding of priorities, take your top contenders from the matrix and narrow them down to the six most important tasks for the day
This prioritization template can be a pre-processing step to help you identify strong candidates for your six daily Ivy Lee tasks.
Assign realistic due dates to each task to ensure you stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. You can do this within ClickUp Tasks by opening individual tasks and clicking on the Dates field at the top to select your due date and time.
You can also color code the dates to indicate if a task was overdue or closed on time.
By default, due dates and times are set to your local time zone. Due dates without a set time are technically due at 4 a.m. in the task creator’s local time zone.
Step 3: Concentrate on one task at a time with ClickUp Calendar and Timer
ClickUp provides several features to help you achieve deep focus and avoid distractions:
- Schedule dedicated blocks in your ClickUp Calendar View to focus on completing specific tasks from your ‘Tomorrow’s Top 6’ list. This technique helps you mentally prepare for each task and minimize interruptions
- While working on a task, silence notifications and minimize distractions. ClickUp’s centralized platform keeps all your work in one place, eliminating the need to switch between different apps and reducing the temptation to multitask
- Integrate ClickUp with a time tracking app like Toggl Track or ClickUp’s native PomoDone Integration to implement the Pomodoro Technique. This method involves working in focused 25-minute intervals with short breaks in between
The timer helps you stay focused on the task at hand and prevents burnout
Step 4: Track your tasks with ClickUp templates
My favorite feature for implementing the Ivy Lee method on the ClickUp platform has to be the ClickUp Daily Planner Template—it provides a visual overview of all my tasks. You can use these templates to track progress on the six most important tasks and adjust your daily schedule as needed.
Organize the tasks into categories, prioritize based on urgency, and visualize progress with graphs and charts.
Here’s how you can make the most of this template:
- Use the Table View for an overview of your habits and an easy way to check off completed tasks
- The List View will help you organize and filter tasks to help you stay focused
- Use the Getting Started Guide View to set up your habits and goals
- Organize tasks into two different statuses, Open and Complete, to keep track of progress
- Update statuses to keep yourself informed of progress
- Monitor and analyze your habits to ensure maximum productivity
Similarly, the ClickUp Weekly Planner Template is excellent for tracking multiple tasks weekly. You can see the week ahead in one comprehensive view and keep track of deadlines, events, and meetings.
You can use this template to:
- Create tasks with custom statuses such as Open and Complete for progress tracking
- Categorize and add attributes or custom fields to manage your tasks and easily visualize your plans for the week
- Open two different views in different ClickUp configurations, such as the Getting Started Guide and Planner Board, to help you plan your workweek
- Improve weekly planning with multiple assignees, time tracking, due dates, and priority labels
Summarize this article for me pleaseFinding Your Productivity Sweet Spot
My experience with the Ivy Lee Method has been truly transformative.
I almost treat it as a time management game. By focusing on a set number of tasks each day, I organized my tasks for success and experienced a newfound sense of control over my workday.
While the method had its limitations, ClickUp provided the flexibility and features to overcome those and further enhance my productivity.
The key to success lies in finding a system that works best for you. Experiment with different approaches, and don’t be afraid to adapt the Ivy Lee Method to suit your specific needs and work style.
Sign up for ClickUp today!
Questions? Comments? Visit our Help Center for support.