Track tasks and goals, then accomplish them all
Use this simple to-do list template to get a better overview of all the tasks you need to complete to achieve your goals. Easily keep track of daily tasks, recover control when chaos arises, and see progress when you check off the most important tasks.
Whether you're managing a personal project or coordinating a team, a to-do list is an essential tool for staying organized and ensuring that all of your tasks are completed. Track daily tasks or share with team members to improve your project management by staying on top of project action items.
1. Add in your daily or weekly tasks as sticky notes in the ‘To Do’ column. Think about what you or your team are trying to achieve and add in new tasks for each action item. Color code each sticky notes or add different tasks to indicate when each task is due, who’s responsible for the task, if it’s a recurring task, or what project the task is related to.
2. Sort your list of tasks based on priority. If you have any concrete deadlines for a task, be sure to add a tag or extra note to specify the due date. This will make it easier to stay on top of deadlines, track milestones, and make sure everything gets done in a timely manner.
3. Move tasks in the list to track their status. Be sure to move tasks to the corresponding To Do, In Progress, and Done columns. This ensures that you know what tasks are currently making progress and ensure nothing falls behind schedule.
4. Keep the tasklist updated. Review the tasks in the to-do list often, and update any dates, tags, or comments to ensure everything is up-to-date and accurate.
5. Create rewards for completed tasks. Try providing incentives to yourself or team members for completing tasks or clearing the full to-do list. Try establishing rewards at the beginning so you or your team can remember what the reward is for the completed jobs-to-be-done.
Whether you’re tracking action items for project or task management in your daily workflow or for a family to-do list, try these tips to get the most from your to-do list:
Write clear and specific tasks that need to be completed. Each task should be actionable and well-defined, using action verbs to describe what needs to be done. It's helpful to include deadlines or due dates for each task to prioritize activities and ensure everyone understands the urgency.
Assign tasks to specific team members to establish accountability and ownership. Additionally, if there is any relevant information or context that can assist with task completion, include it in the to-do list.
The number of tasks on a to-do list can vary depending on the complexity of your projects and personal preferences, however 5-10 tasks is a good rule of thumb. This range allows for better focus and helps you keep from getting overwhelmed by long to-do lists and prevents procrastination.
Routine or recurring tasks, such as daily or regular workflow activities, are best managed through a separate system or calendar. Long-term goals should also be excluded from a to-do list. Instead, break down those goals into smaller, actionable subtasks that can be added to your to-do list over time.
First, for each task, include a brief description of what needs to be done, as well as any deadlines or timeframes — the more specific information you can include on each sticky note, the better you'll be able to manage your tasks and track progress once you get started. You can use a piece of paper or sign up with a free account with Mural to get started with this free to-do list template.
Next, divide your to-do list into three columns: Things you're planning to do, things you're working on now, and things you've completed.
When you have created your to-do list, take some time to review it and make sure that everything is accounted for. As you complete more tasks, you'll begin to get a better sense of how much time each task takes, making it easier to estimate future deadlines.
Mural is the only platform that offers both a shared workspace and training on the LUMA System™, a practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply.