Beyond Folders : to do lists

Organizing Eye-Candy: To-Do Lists To Die For

Community Manager — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:41:00 GMT

There are two kinds of people. Those who love a to-do list, and those who don't. We're firmly in the to-do list camp: Nothing makes us happier than getting from to-do, to done.

If you are a fellow list lover, you won't want to miss the organizing eye-candy we've rounded up. Who doesn't love a little pizzazz with their productivity?

Mad for the Pad

Classic: Billed as a "stylish reinterpretation of a stressed-out classic," these to-do list pads from Knock Knock will have you knocking off those to-dos in no time flat. From a classic list to a packing list, there is something for everyone.

Sarcastic: Appreciate the tongue in cheek? You might enjoy the "Crap I Need to Do" pad or its sarcastic sister, "The Freakin' Never Ending To Do List."

Renewable: This Etsy seller offers a downloadable PDF that lets you print and reprint the classic take on a to-do. And these stylish dry-erase boards let you organize your to-dos over and over again.

Digital: Not everyone loves paper. For you high-tech list lovers, check out the findings from ABC tech correspondent Joann Sterna. She examines three popular digital to-do list apps and favors Wunderlist over Remember the Milk and Astrid. An attractive design and useful collaborative functions puts Wunderlist at the top of her list.

Finally, we leave you with something decidedly non-digital: this awesome chalkboard from another creative Etsy seller which reads, "Keep Calm and Keep a List." Fabulous advice, fabulous chalkboard.

Happy list making!

What is your favorite, zippiest to-do list accessory? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook and Twitter pages.

From To-Do to Done: Managing Your To-Do Lists

Community Manager — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Like death and taxes, to-do lists are an inescapable part of life. But sometimes it can feel as if the to-do list never quite gets done.

We've rounded up some tips, and some tools, that will have you happily checking off your action items in no time flat.

Get from to-do, to done, with these three simple steps:

Write a short and specific list: Craft a list that prioritizes what truly needs to get done. If you swamp your list with too many items, you run the risk of running out of time. Each day, focus on no more than three items at a time and keep a running list of smaller, less consequential items that can wait for a later date. Once a week, knock off that running list.

Create a realistic action plan: Once you've honed in on three items to focus on, establish a deadline for each task: some may take an hour, others may take all day, and still others may require a few days to knock off. Setting a deadline keeps you honest and on track. Next, determine what steps you need to take and then start to schedule the blocks of time required to move the ball forward. Determine if you need to enlist help, or obtain certain resources, for success. Having a realistic action plan gets you across the finish line.

Reward Yourself: Nothing motivates like a fabulous reward. Pick something that will make finishing the list gratifying. Link the reward to your labor when it makes sense. Decluttered a closet? Treat yourself to a new accessory. Cleaned out the kitchen pantry? Order in dinner that night so you can put your feet up. You can also use rewards to help you move through your list: take a short-break when you cross off a specific item or treat yourself to coffee or snack when you get half-way done.

Finally, we have some tools that can help you put the "list" into your to-dos. Whether you're a digital list making convert or an old-school pen and paper fan, the round-up of resources in The Best Online & Offline Tools for Managing Your To-Dos has something for everyone.

How do you manage your to-do lists? Is your go-to tool digital or paper and pen? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Write a Better To-Do List

Community Manager — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:53:00 GMT

Making a list, checking it twice. Santa isn't the only one with a long to-do list this time of year. Make the most of your to-do lists this holiday season, and throughout the year, with our tips for a better, more effective list making.

All You Need to Know: We love the advice in How to Write an Effective to-Do List. From advanced planning, to color-coding, to what not to include, this article has virtually everything aspiring list makers need to know. Follow the advice here and you'll be ticking off the to-do items lickety split.

Get Real, Get Bite-Sized: Get smart with the savvy advice in Work Smart: How to Write a To-Do List. First, don't clog your list with goals, stick to action items. Putting "learn French" on your to-do list doesn't work. Instead, create realistic action items by putting "sign up for French lessons" and "get French DVDS" on the checklist. Break tasks down into small blocks, so that "write 50-page report" becomes "brainstorm ideas for report" and "draft report outline." You get the idea.

Show Me The Way: Want to see an effective list? In To-Do Lists: The Key to Efficiency you can check out list templates and list-making software and apps. Who can resist an app with the name "Remember the Milk." Now that's an item on top of everyone's list!

Do you write effective to-lists and if so why do they work? What are your favorite tricks for crafting an effective list? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook page.

Top 10 Ideas for Last Hurrah Vacations

Community Manager — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:54:00 GMT

August is in full swing; Labor Day, right around the corner. If you haven't booked a vacation yet, it's not too late for a last hurrah. We have ten last-minute trip ideas that get you from desk to dunes in no time flat.

1. Bright Lights, Big City: Enjoy hotel discounts in many major cities as business travel drops and hotels seek to woo vacationers. As an added bonus, city dwellers are often out of town, meaning shorter lines at cultural attractions and restaurants.

2. Warm Weather Deals: Can't get a hotel room during Disney's busy season? Many popular winter destinations offer summer discounts. Say hello to Mickey & Minnie.

3. Paradise, Close at Hand: For East Coasters, the Caribbean offers a three-hour flight to white sands and turquoise surf. Off-season rates and fares make a high-end winter getaway a summertime bargain.

4. Europe: Many European capitals are a relatively short 5-6 hour flight from major U.S. cities. While it's tough to cram an entire city into a short trip, you can focus your time by picking one or two destinations per day and reserving the late afternoon for relaxation in local parks followed by leisurely evening dining.

5. Home for Dinner: With so many vacationers departing their homes for weekend getaways, a wealth of newly vacated homes can be found on rental sites such as VRBO.com. Troll the site for last-minute openings in your desired destination.

6. Camping: Warm late summer weather makes camping a low-cost way to immerse yourself in summer scenery. Visit www.nationalparks.org for information on parks and availability.

7. Be a Tourist in Your Town: The high cost of travel (plane tickets, high prices at the pump) can put far-flung travel out of reach. If budget is an issue, save travel costs and check into a hotel or inn in your hometown. Room service and the absence of household chores can make even your own backyard feel like a vacation destination.

8. House Swap: Check with relatives or close friends about swapping homes for the weekend. Saving on hotels can free up funds for dinners out or theater tickets.

9. Go For Bargains: Check web sites for last minute vacation packages; if you're flexible about the destination, terrific packages can be found online.

10. Staycation: While staying at home may not hold the allure of a time away, you can make the most of a staycation by taking a true vacation from all technology and chores. Put naps, books and recreation on the agenda and let work wait.

Enjoy your summer; it's fading fast!

Making the Most of To-Do Lists

Community Manager — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 13:32:00 GMT

Take a break from your summer beach reads to bone up on some reading to help make the most of an old classic: the to-do list.

Too many of us are guilty of writing up lists and then letting them languish. Say good-bye to the half-finished list and hello to the list that does more.

Intention Meets Action

In A Better Way to Manage Your To-Do List,consultant Peter Bregman suggests viewing the to-do list as a collection tool: one that assembles the list of things that we hope to get done.

Next, turn intention into action by syncing your list with your calendar and scheduling time for each item.

If your to-do list outnumbers available hours in the day, it's time to re-priortize your list. Important items need to float to the top; items that aren't crucial need to be re-slotted to another day. Asses your list carefully: want-to-do doesn't always equal need-to-do.

Bregman also suggests tackling some of the toughest, least palatable tasks at the beginning of the day; knocking those items off the list builds feel-good momentum.

One Size List Doesn't Fit All

Organization blog Unclutterer always has useful tips on streamlining, be it your home, your hectic schedule and yes, your to-do list.

In How to Create a To-Do List That Helps You Get Tasks Accomplished, the Unclutterer rounds up advice from readers on best-practices for to-do lists.

Suggestions include: creating multiple lists such as daily and monthly lists to keep track of both immediate and long-term needs; organizing lists into categories such as money, kids, fun and must-do. Yet another reader advocates making lists with no more than six items.

One type of to-do list doesn't suit all styles so be sure to create lists that work for you.

How do you tackle your to-do list? Do you have tips for getting the list finished? Share your thoughts here and at the Pendaflex Facebook page.