Easy task management for lazy people

The world is full of software that can manage tasks. If you’re just doing a bunch of tasks on your own, then here’s a way to handle them without installing or signing up for anything.

What’s more, this method allows you to focus and easily use the Pomodoro Technique to help you work in little 20 minute chunks.

And heck, sometimes kicking it old school the manual way cannot be underestimated. Also, since i’m basically a lazy bastard, this works well for me without the cognitive overhead of a software UX.

Get a cheap, small notepad
No, Not a Moleskine (those are for hipsters who want to spend the next year searching for the perfect task managent system). That would defeat the purpose. Instead get one of those tiny — or large — legal pads that you can tear off at the top. Do not use a post-it note. Too easy to get lost and fall of somewhere. This is your to-do list.

These notepads are generally sold in packs for only a couple of dollars at practically any supermarket, pharmacy, Target, Walmart, Amazon or corner store.

In a pinch, purloin some from the office stationery closet.

One task per sheet
Write a single task per sheet of paper. Write the most urgent thing on the first sheet. Turn over and write another task, and so on.

Keep the tasks small and simple so you have these little mental wins throughout the day as you finish each one.

On each sheet of paper you can also write how long you think the task should take and include any notes that go along with it.

Start working
As you complete a task, tear off the sheet of paper, and depending on your anal retentiveness, keep it in a shoebox, or as I do, roll it up and put it in the trash. After all, you’re done with the task, so why keep a record of it around?

Also, use a kitchen timer to match up the time you wrote down with the task. Keep these times short — 20 minutes or so.

Take a break
This is important. Get up and stretch your legs and arms. Celebrate the tiny win you just accomplished. Smile.

So no more to-do lists. Write down these tasks as you cruise your email.

Lists are overrated anyway.