Stop going in circles and forgetting things you need to get done during your day. Wanna know how? Start using a to-do book and never worry about having to remember to do something important again! It’s super easy and a major life-changer!
As you can imagine, I get asked a lot of questions. Of all the questions I get, the most common, by a landslide, is…”How do you get so much done?” “Are you able to handle all your to-do's?” “How do you have so much energy?” or, the kicker…
“How do you do all you do?”
I always cringe a little when I get asked that, because there is so much I DON'T get done in a day! I used to crack a joke and brush it off. Then I realized that, as moms especially, we are always looking for ways to get more done. To stay on top of the daunting to-do list, to try to tread water a little less and be proactive a little more.
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What's the first thing I'll tell you works to keep everything straight? My to-do book. I've had a TON of questions about it since posting on planning our year in advance video. So here you have it! Here's one of the methods I use to tackle my mile-long to-do list, and try to stay as organized and productive as possible.
Watch the video online HERE or click and watch all about my to-do book below:
Super simple right? Follow these great tips on making your own to-do book and you’ll never forget anything again!
WHY YOU SHOULD KEEP A TO-DO BOOK
We are so busy, it’s almost impossible to keep up with our life on paper anymore. To help keep things straight, we use Google Calendar. Bubba and I can easily see what we both have going on and we keep all of our activities in one place. (If you want more details on this, then make sure that you check out how we plan our year in advance!)
Now, I do keep a few lists on my phone, like my shopping list. I don’t go anywhere without my phone, so it’s always nice to know I’ll have my list on me when I go to the store. There’s nothing worse for your grocery budget than not having a list to stick to at the store! Keep it in your phone and you won’t have to worry about that anymore. 😉
But everything else, like the never-ending, mile-long list of things you need to do? That's where the to-do book comes in to save the day!
HOW TO MAKE AND USE YOUR OWN TO-DO BOOK
It really is so easy! Here's all you need to do:
- Grab a blank notebook or a planner you have laying around at your house and keep a running list of all of the things you need to do.
- Have a page for home and a page for work, then keep a running to-do list on them.
- Write down anything that pops in your head and needs to be done. This could be anything from emailing somebody, to unloading the dishwasher or making sure you remember to tell your husband something.
- Once you do it, cross it off!
- Once the page is mostly crossed off and full, flip to a new page and transfer the remaining to-do items to the new page.
Priorities usually change from one day to the next, so don’t worry about prioritizing the page. If there’s something that absolutely has to be done on a certain day, then you can highlight or put a star next to it to be sure you remember to do it.
A FEW EXTRA TIPS
If you choose to use a planner, then you can put certain things on certain dates when they need to get done. But for the most part, you can still keep a running list on the planner and cross it off as it gets done. Then once the next week starts, transfer whatever is left over.
If you have random little spurts of time to do something during your block schedule that day and can’t think of what to do, then pull out your to-do book! Find something you can do on your list in your corresponding block during that open time. If you’re working, then grab something from the work side. Or if you’re in an errand or house chores block, then find something to do from that side of the list. It couldn’t be any easier!
Since I KNOW you are going to ask, here is an Amazon shopping list of adorable notebooks and planners I put together that would work great as a to-do book. However, I love TJ Maxx, Home Goods, and Ross Dress for Less the best.
THE PRODUCTIVITY PLANNER’S TO-DO LIST
But psssstttt, wanna know a secret? I came out with my very own productivity Planner and it's seriously the best! It gives you a place to write down your to-do list, along with keeping up with your meals and other things you may need to keep track of on a daily basis. (Daily block schedule, anyone?)
Do you feel disorganized? Stressed? Burnt out? Unfulfilled? Ready to say “BUH-BYE” to that state of overwhelm without giving up the things that mean the most to you? Say “hello” to the ultimate productivity guide! My Productivity Planner from Jordan Page is your step-by-step guide to getting more done while enjoying more free time.
- This is not your typical planner! It's not just about your schedule—it's about getting things done.
- Learn to prioritize family time and self-care while still meeting your obligations by working smarter, not harder.
- Learn practical and effective solutions for creating routines and systems that work for you and your family.
- Includes a step-by-step guide to the viral “block schedule” system.
- Walks you through every week, making sure you complete tasks while still finding room for guilt-free “me time.”
PRODUCTIVITY BOOT CAMP
If that planner sounds right up your alley to help you stay productive, then make sure you also check out my awesome sauce (if I do say so myself), Productivity Boot Camp program!
You'll be amazed at how much you'll be able to accomplish during the day, while making more time for all of the things that are important in your life. Use the code FCFBLOG for 10% off at checkout!
So, get on to that to-do book, already! You won't be sorry! Let us know your favorite way to keep one below!
Want more great productivity tips?
- Come see what a day in the life of a productivity expert is like with kids!
- Get some great tips on being productive at home… with kids in tow!
- Wanting some productivity challenges? We've got you covered!
Now go set up that to-do book!
Hey Jordan, love your videos! I thought I’d share a cheap tip (for the planner that you wish came with an elastic bookmark instead of the ribbon) grab a cheap pack of hair elastic headbands from any dollar store, and slide it on.
I love that idea!
OH. MY. STARS! I just have just entered without viewing the bag – now I am DYING for one! 🙂
Oh Yes! This is exactly the way that I just started doing my todo list. I also use Evernote for general note saving. I do not keep my todo list with me from room to room in my house, but I do have my phone so if I think of something I will add it to my phone reminder list then transfer to my paper to do list.
Would love the bag!
You are so awesome! I thought I was “old school” because I prefer a good, hard notebook. It feels so good to cross those suckers off the to-do lists. I LOVE, and covet ?Your diaper bag. Thanks for the chance to win one!!
That is exactly how I do my to do list! I also have a planner that I use as more is a scrapbook/done list that I decorate. Love your videos!
Love ❤️ this! I am addicted to planners but feel like a failure if I don’t plan out the whole week. To do list planning seems like so much less pressure. Thanks
I would love to have one. They are great.
When I was working I used a system exactly like this to stay on top of things. As I thought of something that needed to be done I’d add it to the list and then cross things off as I accomplished them. I never thought to use the same technique at home, but it worked brilliantly at work so why not at home? Thanks for reminding me of this simple, yet effective way to get stuff done!
You’re welcome, thanks for reading/watching!
Thanks for the giveaway! Also love when you give us info on how you manage the day-to-day responsibilities. The only downside to this post is now I want to go buy a bunch of new pens and notebooks! Haha. 😉
Glad you liked it! thanks!
Oh I am a list girl too! I keep a master list and then if I’m doing a big project (right now it’s my little girl’s nursery decor, due in June) I make a list I keep in her room so I go in an turn off my other master list and just focus on her room and needs, which is a vacation with an 18 month old running around!! You are awesome!!!
Love that! Thanks for sharing!
Love the purse! You are doing fabulous!!
Aw thanks Lisa! XO
I love making lists of things I need to accomplish though I don’t do as good of a job as you at getting those things done 🙂 But I discovered and started using a Passion Planner three years ago and am LOVING it! I started out using it just to write lists in but over the years I’m trying to use it more to it’s full potential for scheduling! It’s been a life saver getting me a tiny bit more organized (I’m the most unorganized person ever) It even has an area for road-mapping goals and lots of extra space for writing or doodling!
Sounds amazing! I’ll have to check it out!
I love your video it’s a lot of fun watching them. I’ll have my notebook always with me, always handy!
Aw thanks so much!
I recently reverted to using an ‘old school’ planner because it was getting too unwieldy for me to manage digital calendars for work, home, the kids’ stuff, etc. Now I have 1 planner for everything outside of work and it’s just SO MUCH EASIER! I’m still struggling with the to-do’s though so going to try this out. Thanks for doing the video – so straightforward! Thanks for all you do, Jordan (AND TEAM FCF!!!!)
By the way, if you want an elastic to wrap around your notebook or a pen holder, I see cute ones all the time in the disc planner sections at Staples & Michael’s. You don’t need to use them with whatever planner they’re selling! (Sometimes the pen holders need the discs to attach, but not all of them do!)
Aw, thanks! and thanks for the tip!!
I basically do this exact thing, except I use an app on my phone called Things. It. Is. BRILLIANT. I also love having fancy paper and pens, but the practical side of me wins since I always have my phone with me. You can speak to Siri and have it add to your to do list on Things, so I can even add stuff when I’m driving. Why do I always remember stuff when I’m driving?!? 🙂
I’m glad siri is helpful…she tries to sabotage me! haha!
I love your videos and I’m so glad I found your blog and Instagram! Have always drooled over these bags and this would be the biggest dream to win for our growing family. THANK YOU for the amazing chance!
Yay! good luck!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one that loves the old school pen and paper route! My husband is always trying to get me to convert to digital to-do lists, and it just doesn’t give me the same satisfaction when I check things off ;). And for me it’s always easier to handwrite something than to actually type it in my phone, so I’m all about the paper :). Thanks for sharing your tips!
haha those husbands! Won’t they ever learn?? 😉 #OldSchoolWivesClub
Hi,
I’ve been thinking about buying one but I would like to know how you feel about strap durability. How long before you notice the strap starts to fray or that it hasn’t at all.
Oh my gosh it’s THE BEST!!! I haven’t had any problem at all and I’m really hard on my bags!
For some reason it did not record either of my facebook entries. I am Rachel Merkley Averett on Facebook. And I liked both of your Facebook pages.
Rachel – we need it to be recorded on the app, because the winner is chosen at random through the app. Try again and if it doesn’t work email [email protected]!
Love. The. Bag. ❤️
Also… I keep a running to do list too… I just forget to go back to it and look at it. 🙂 oh brother… or I lose the list. Ugh. I’m gonna try what you do and bring the notebook list with me everywhere like I do my phone. Or, maybe I should try Evernote?!:) thank you for your tips! Love them all!
Yes try it and let me know what you think!! XO
You are the cutest! I just watched your video and I want to be your best friend! I do my lists just like you! I was convinced (by who, I don’t know) that I must change my system to be more “planner-ry” planner. You know what I mean? But, after watching your video I am going to stick with the running to-do list! Yeah!
Aw awesome! And yes, we are best friends for sure!!! XO
This sounds exactly like my process. My Google calendar syncs with my phone (all activities listed on there and due dates) and I have a notebook with an on going to do list. I call my notebook “The Keeper of All Knowledge ” and I’ve had one for years. I tried the whole bullet journal idea and I failed miserably because it was too complicated and time consuming!
Haha The Keeper…love that!
LOVE this idea!
I have used an ugly $.98 notebook for my to do lists for years and I love that you use a nice pretty book with good paper and nice pens. Gah! Feels so good and that makes me want to tote it around more and leave it out where it will be seen and used more.
I’ve been doing this to-do book ever since you shared it again a couple of months ago. So helpful! At first I was a little doubtful because I have my grocery notebook where I keep that list and meal plans, plus we have our google calendar. But this has been so wonderful to help me keep my time and projects and priorities sorted and to keep making progress. Thank you!!
Love this post! I went out and bought a planner at Marshalls. I am now a list maker! It has made life so much more productive! Thanks for sharing!
After watching this video a month ago, I have been using your to do list idea and I habe been able to get more done, and keep track of my never ending to do list. I am so forgetful so writing down everything I need to do even switching the laundry over helps me stay on top of things. Thanks Jordan for this. I never understood why those daily or weekly planners never worked for me. I also have my husband add to my list. When he asks me to do something I just tell him to put it on the list or I won’t remember.
I love lists too! My book keeps me organized!
Woah this has changed my day!!!! I got a planner and have been doing this for 3 weeks. Man has my days become more productive. Thanks for the amazing tip!!
Just bought a to do book! makes me so excited to get my priorities in order!
Loved this one! SImple and helpful!!!
I do something similar but had an 8 X 10 book I just kept on my counter. After watching I took your advice and got a smaller one that I could carry with me everywhere
I have plenty of notebooks around the house, and this would be so helpful to implement! All of my lists in one place.
i started doing this Because i love putting pen to paper. I feel like i get more done.
I love using a to-do book! I tried for a long time to keep my list digitally in my phone (which I still do when thoughts come to mind), but I just feel so much more motivated when I can physically cross things off a list, you know?
I pretty much do this too!
I totally write tasks that I’ve already completed in my to do book, just so that I can cross them off. It’s so satisfying! 🙂
A little late to this post, but I just came across it. 🙂 I have a question, do you tear out the pages as they are crossed off and full? Or do you just keep them and move to the next? Thanks so much!