10 To-Do List Examples to Supercharge Your Productivity in 2025

Summary: Explore 10 powerful to-do list systems — from Eisenhower to ADHD-friendly workflows — with step-by-step tips to implement them and boost your productivity this year.

Introduction

A to-do list is more than a collection of tasks; it’s a strategic system for managing your time, energy, and focus. The right framework turns your list into momentum, while the wrong one creates overwhelm. This guide presents 10 proven to-do list examples people actually use — from executives to freelancers — with clear implementation tips and examples you can apply today. You’ll also find guidance for mapping these systems into Fluidwave so you can manage, delegate, and track work with less friction.

To stop making lists and start finishing work, pick a framework that fits your role and cognitive style. For extra strategies on workplace productivity, see this related guide: How to increase your productivity at work.

1. The Eisenhower Matrix (Urgent / Important)

The Eisenhower Matrix helps you separate urgent tasks from important ones, so you spend more time on long-term impact and less time fighting fires. The method is commonly associated with Dwight D. Eisenhower and popularized by Stephen Covey.¹

Why it works: It moves you from reactive mode to proactive planning by forcing a clear decision about priorities.

How it works

• Quadrant 1 — Urgent & Important (Do first): crises, critical deadlines.
• Quadrant 2 — Not Urgent & Important (Schedule): strategic work, planning.
• Quadrant 3 — Urgent & Not Important (Delegate): interruptions, some meetings.
• Quadrant 4 — Not Urgent & Not Important (Eliminate): low-value busywork.

Key tip: Minimize Quadrants 3 and 4 so you can spend more time in Quadrant 2.

Use in Fluidwave

• List view: Tag tasks Q1-Do, Q2-Schedule, Q3-Delegate, Q4-Eliminate.
• Kanban: Create four columns, move tasks during weekly review.

2. Getting Things Done (GTD)

GTD is a full workflow for capturing everything on your plate and turning it into a trusted, external system. David Allen developed GTD to reduce mental clutter and increase execution clarity.²

Why it works: Defining the next physical action turns vague projects into doable steps.

Core steps

1. Capture: Collect ideas, tasks, and commitments into an inbox.
2. Clarify: Decide if each item is actionable and identify the next action.
3. Organize: Put items into lists, calendars, or reference files.
4. Reflect: Review daily and weekly to stay aligned.
5. Engage: Choose actions based on context, time, and energy.

Use in Fluidwave

• Capture: Use quick-add or email integration to send items to your Fluidwave inbox.
• Organize: Tag by context like @phone, @office, or by project. Assign next actions and delegate when appropriate.
• Reflect: Create a recurring “Weekly GTD Review” task.

3. Kanban (Visual Workflow Board)

Kanban visualizes work as cards moving across columns, which makes bottlenecks obvious and enforces limits on work in progress. The method grew out of manufacturing practices and adapted to knowledge work and software development.³

Why it works: Visual status and WIP limits reduce context switching and help teams finish work.

How it works

• Backlog / To Do: Prioritized tasks that haven’t started.
• In Progress: Active work; enforce WIP limits.
• In Review / Blocked: Tasks awaiting feedback.
• Done: Completed work for tracking velocity.

Use in Fluidwave

• Board: Create columns that match your process, e.g., Backlog, Design, Development, Testing, Done.
• Automation: Auto-assign or move cards when status changes.

4. Pomodoro Technique (Time-Boxing)

Pomodoro breaks work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes, followed by short breaks. Francesco Cirillo created the technique to fight procrastination and improve sustained focus.⁴

Why it works: Short, timed bursts lower the barrier to starting and protect focus.

How it works

• Choose a task.
• Set a 25-minute timer and work until it rings.
• Take a 5-minute break.
• After four cycles, take a 15–30 minute break.

Use in Fluidwave

• Tag tasks with estimated Pomodoros like 1-Pomodoro or 4-Pomodoros.
• Schedule Pomodoro blocks on your calendar to reserve uninterrupted time.

5. Priority Matrix (ABC Classification)

The ABC method assigns each task an A, B, or C value by impact and consequence. It’s a fast way to triage daily work without overthinking.

Why it works: It prevents low-value tasks from hijacking your time.

How it works

• A: Must do — big consequences if left undone.
• B: Should do — moderate importance.
• C: Nice to do — low or no real consequence.

Use in Fluidwave

• Use a priority field or tags like P1-A, P2-B, P3-C and sort lists so A tasks stay at the top.

6. Ivy Lee Method (Six-Task Daily Focus)

The Ivy Lee Method keeps daily focus tight: pick six tasks the night before, prioritize them, and work top to bottom the next day. The constraint reduces decision fatigue and encourages completion.

Why it works: Limiting choices simplifies starting and increases momentum.

How it works

1. At day’s end, list the six most important tasks for tomorrow.
2. Order them by importance.
3. Start with task one and don’t move on until it’s done.
4. Carry unfinished items to the next day.

Use in Fluidwave

• Create a "Tomorrow’s 6" list and order tasks 1–6. Block time on your calendar for the top items.

7. Time Blocking (Calendar-Based Planning)

Time blocking moves tasks from a list into fixed calendar slots so you treat your priorities like meetings. Cal Newport advocates this approach to protect deep work and structure your day.⁶

Why it works: Scheduling time reduces interruptions and forces realistic planning.

How it works

• Deep Work: Long blocks for cognitively demanding tasks.
• Shallow Work: Short batches for email and admin.
• Buffer Time: Short gaps for transitions.
• Reactive Time: Flexible windows for unscheduled issues.

Use in Fluidwave

• Drag tasks to your calendar to create blocks, link blocks back to tasks, and set recurring shallow-work slots like “Daily Email Batch.”

8. Bullet Journal (Analog / Digital Hybrid)

The Bullet Journal combines a to-do list, planner, and diary with rapid logging and manual migration. Ryder Carroll created it as a mindful way to track tasks and reflect on progress.

Why it works: Manual migration forces decisions about importance and reduces passive task hoarding.

How it works

• Tasks: • mark actionable items and change to X when done.
• Events: ○ for appointments.
• Notes: – for other information.
• Signifiers: * for priority, ! for inspiration.
• Migration: Regularly move or discard tasks.

Use in Fluidwave

• Create daily lists titled by date, use tags like migrated, and keep project collections as cards with notes and checklists.

9. ADHD-Friendly Dynamic Task System

Traditional static lists can overwhelm people with ADHD. A dynamic approach emphasizes limited visible tasks, micro-completions, and external accountability to match cognitive needs. About 4.4 percent of U.S. adults have ADHD, so adapting systems matters for many people.⁷

Why it works: It reduces cognitive load and uses short rewards to build momentum.

How it works

• Limit visible tasks to 3–5 items.
• Create artificial urgency with short deadlines.
• Break work into 15–30 minute micro-tasks for frequent wins.
• Use body doubling and external accountability.

Use in Fluidwave

• Card view provides a visual, stimulating layout. Set tight deadlines and notifications to create external prompts.
• For more resources, see this guide on task management for ADHD.

10. Delegation-First Workflow (Virtual Assistant Model)

A delegation-first approach asks which tasks can be handled by others before you start them. Popularized by Tim Ferriss, delegation scales your impact by turning you into a strategist rather than a doer.⁸

Why it works: Delegation multiplies your output and reduces burnout.

How it works

• Capture & Clarify: Centralize incoming work and define outcomes.
• Assess: Ask, “Am I the only one who can do this?” If not, delegate.
• Template: Create SOPs and templates for recurring tasks.
• Review: Check work, give feedback, and refine processes.

Use in Fluidwave

• Create task templates with instructions and checklists.
• Invite VAs to your workspace, assign tasks, set deadlines, and communicate inside the task.

10-To-Do Methods Comparison (At a Glance)

How to Start: A Simple 4-Step Experiment

1. Pick one system that matches your biggest challenge.
2. Try it for one week; don’t expect perfection.
3. Implement the bare minimum to make the system usable.
4. Review what worked and iterate.

The goal is habit and momentum, not a perfect setup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Which method is best if I’m always interrupted by meetings?

Try Time Blocking combined with an Eisenhower triage. Block deep work windows, then use the matrix to decide which meeting tasks are truly important and which can be delegated.

Q2: I have ADHD and get overwhelmed by long lists. What should I try first?

Start with the ADHD-friendly dynamic system: limit visible tasks to 3–5, create 15–30 minute micro-tasks, and use notifications or body doubling for accountability.

Q3: How do I know when to delegate rather than do it myself?

Ask if you are the only person who can deliver the required outcome. If not, create a brief SOP, delegate, and schedule a quick review. Delegation frees you for higher-value work.

Ready to turn these examples into action? Use Fluidwave to switch between List, Kanban, and Calendar views, apply templates, and start a one-week experiment today: https://fluidwave.com.