Of all of the things that have come and gone with the presence of our digital age, one time 
management technique has remained: the to-do list.
Time management in the form of to-do lists takes the form of scribbling down reminders on a post-it, neatly writing in your agenda, or fancily typing your upcoming tasks in your smartphone or similar device. To-do lists keep our lives on track (or at least at a close distance to the track).
For that reason, I put together a few tips for creating an effective to-do list for better time management. Although, who am I to tell you that your lists on napkins and scratch paper are not doing the job? If nothing else, these tips to refine your time management strategy are likely to reduce stress in your busy and demanding lives.
1. Know the difference between a to-do list and a calendar.
A calendar is great for recording set due dates, appointments, and meetings. On the other hand, to-do lists let you know when you will take time to prepare for these commitments. If you have an important project due by the end of the week, utilize your to-do list to break down the assignment throughout the week. Even if just a tentative schedule, your to-do list allows you to see the time you have allotted to complete the project, which, in turn, may help to alleviate your stress building up.
2. Create a classification scheme.
Color-coding is a simple, yet effective way to organize your growing list of to-do’s. If you want to spruce up your time management skills, you can prioritize your tasks by determining those that are of most importance or those that are the most time sensitive. Though it sounds juvenile, checking off the red tasks and looking at a to-do list with a majority of low-risk colors can be very rewarding.
3. See what technology has to offer.
To-do lists are your very own way to organize your professional and/or personal lives, so the most important thing is to do what you think works best. As a tech-obsessed Gen Y’er, I still find my weekly planner to be in my time management comfort zone, but I cannot neglect the benefits of what technology has to offer when it comes to time management tools. If you find that your countless sticky notes and misplaced to-do lists only cause you added stress, technology can help you enhance your time management strategy. Check out the best to-do list apps to see if any of them are the perfect fit for you.
Are to-do lists a staple in your time management strategy? What have you found is the most effective way to create a to-do list?
