The Ivy Lee Method: Plan Your Day Around Few Priorities

The Ivy Lee method is a daily planning habit: each evening, write down the few things that matter most tomorrow, put them in order, and work through them one at a time. Whatever is left moves to the next day’s list.

The steps

1. At the end of the day, write your priorities for tomorrow. The classic version uses six. Fewer works too, and a short list is easier to finish.
2. Put them in order of importance. Decide now, while you are not in a rush.
3. Start tomorrow with number one. Stay on it until it is done.
4. Move to the next one. Do not reshuffle halfway through the day.
5. Carry over what is unfinished. Move it to tomorrow’s list and repeat.

Why a short list works

A long to-do list lets you feel busy without finishing what counts. A short, ordered list takes away the daily question of what to do next. It also tells you honestly what fits in a day.

Common mistakes

• Listing everything. If it is not a priority, it belongs somewhere else.
• Skipping the ordering. The order is what saves you from choosing in the moment.
• Treating carry-over as failure. Moving an item forward is part of the method.

Where Focus Four fits

Focus Four is built around the same idea, with four priorities. Your day is sorted into four slots, unfinished tasks carry forward, and a review at the end of the day closes the loop. It works offline, with no account and no ads.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Ivy Lee method six tasks or fewer?

The traditional description says six. The principle is a short ordered list, so pick a number you can really finish.

Should I plan in the morning or at night?

The classic method plans the evening before, so the morning starts with no decisions.

What do I do with tasks that are not priorities?

Keep them out of the day list. Park them until they earn a slot.