Do you only operate off a big task list or do you also time‑block?
I basically operate off one big list. I dump all tasks into it, check them off as I go. I’m not super strict with project management, but I keep everything in one place, which keeps it simple.
Your to‑do list should be a capture‑and‑filter system, not a calendar. First, capture every idea or task using any tool (pen‑and‑paper, Godspeed, Bear, Evernote, etc.). Then, regularly review the list top‑to‑bottom. For each item, ask: Is it actionable? If no, trash it. If yes, ask: Can I do it in two minutes or less? If yes, do it immediately. If not, delegate it, put it in ‘next actions’, or file it under a relevant project folder. This is a slight tweak on Getting Things Done—capture, clarify, then act on quick wins, defer or delegate the rest. You can add layers like projects, waiting lists, etc., as needed.
I’m not naturally organized and often let tasks slip through the cracks—I’ll forget things for weeks and have to reshuffle my to‑do list constantly. Even with more money and the ability to delegate, I still struggle to stay on top of daily work. I try to improve my systems, but at the end of the day I’m just figuring it out like anyone else.
I use a platform called Godspeed as a simple to‑do list and project manager, and ClickUp for agency work. I try to keep the number of platforms low to reduce complexity and avoid getting screwed over by too many tools.
Rather than strict time-boxing, structure your schedule by front-loading your highest-ROI, nearest-to-revenue tasks first and taking as long as needed to complete them. For instance, replying to community comments in Maker School directly drives retention, revenue, and goodwill, so it is completed first thing every morning.
To speed up execution over time, record yourself completing a recurring task, review the footage to strip out wasted effort, and establish a realistic 'ideal time' benchmark. Track your time daily as a KPI until you consistently reach that benchmark.
The key to productivity is productizing your daily schedule—repeating the exact same core high-value actions every day so you build speed and mastery, rather than constantly switching between contextually different tasks.
time managementproductivitytime blockingdaily routine