Do you ever feel like you have so much to do and yet so little time? Do you often find yourself struggling with how to prioritize your tasks and achieve your goals? Well, you’re not alone. We all have a never-ending list of tasks and responsibilities that can be overwhelming at times. But what if I told you there’s a productivity hack that’s been around for over 100 years and has been used by some of the most successful people in history?
Who was Ivy Lee?
Introducing the Ivy Lee Method – a simple yet powerful productivity technique that has stood the test of time. In this blog post, we will explore the history behind the Ivy Lee Method, how it works, and provide practical tips on how to implement it in your daily life. So, buckle up and get ready to take your productivity game to the next level!
The Ivy Lee Method is a productivity hack that dates back to the early 1900s. Ivy Lee, a prominent productivity consultant, was hired by Charles M. Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, one of the largest steel producers in the United States at the time. Schwab was looking for a way to increase productivity and efficiency at his company, and he turned to Lee for help.
Lee spent some time observing the workers at Bethlehem Steel and came up with a simple but powerful productivity hack. He called it “The Ivy Lee Method,” and it involved writing down six important tasks to be accomplished the next day at the end of each workday. The idea was to prioritize these tasks and then focus on completing them in order of importance the following day.
Lee suggested that Schwab and his employees try the method for a few weeks and then assess the results. Schwab was so impressed with the increased productivity and efficiency of his employees that he wrote Lee a check for $25,000 (equivalent to over $500,000 today) as a token of his appreciation.
Focus on a few important tasks
The Ivy Lee Method quickly gained popularity and became a widely recognized productivity hack that is still used today.
- Prioritize your tasks: Use the Ivy Lee Method to prioritize your tasks by listing them in order of importance. This way, you’ll know what needs to be done first and what can wait until later.
- Limit distractions: To be more productive, it’s important to limit distractions. Try turning off your phone notifications or closing unnecessary tabs on your computer. By doing so, you can focus more on the task at hand.
- Take breaks: While it’s important to stay focused on your work, taking breaks is also essential for maintaining productivity. The Ivy Lee Method suggests taking a five-minute break after each task to clear your mind and refocus before moving onto the next task.
- Use a timer: Set a timer for each task and work on it until the timer goes off. This can help you stay focused and avoid spending too much time on any one task.
- Review your progress: At the end of the day, take some time to review your progress and reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. This can help you make adjustments to your approach and improve your productivity over time.
By focusing on just a few important tasks each day and completing them in order of priority, you can increase your productivity and achieve your goals more efficiently.
Why is it so powerful?
One such story is about a man who hired a productivity coach to help him get more done in his day. The coach asked the man what he typically did in the morning, and the man responded that he spent the first hour of his day checking his email and social media accounts. The coach laughed and said, “Well, I guess we don’t need to work on your productivity. You’re already an expert at wasting time!”
How to implement this method in your life
Here are some examples of how you can apply the Ivy Lee Method to your life:
- As a student, at the end of each school day, write down the six most important tasks you need to complete for the next day. This could include studying for a test, completing a homework assignment, or reading a chapter in a textbook. Prioritize the tasks and start working on the most important one the next day.
- As a business owner, at the end of each workday, write down the six most important tasks you need to complete for the next day. This could include responding to emails, completing a project, or holding a meeting. Prioritize the tasks and start working on the most important one the next day.
- As a stay-at-home parent, at the end of each day, write down the six most important tasks you need to complete for the next day. This could include cooking meals, doing laundry, or taking the kids to appointments. Prioritize the tasks and start working on the most important one the next day.
- Planning your meals: Use the Ivy Lee Method to plan your meals for the week. Write down what you plan to eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day. This can help you stay on track with healthy eating and reduce the time and stress of deciding what to eat each day.
- Exercise routine: Plan your exercise routine for the week using the Ivy Lee Method. Write down what type of exercise you plan to do each day, and at what time. This can help you stay motivated and committed to your fitness goals.
- Reading: If you want to read more, use the Ivy Lee Method to plan your reading time. Write down what you plan to read each day, and for how long. This can help you establish a consistent reading habit.
- Social media use: If you find yourself spending too much time on social media, use the Ivy Lee Method to limit your usage. Write down how much time you plan to spend on social media each day, and stick to it.
- Work-related tasks: Use the Ivy Lee Method to prioritize your work-related tasks for the day. Write down the top 3-5 tasks that you need to accomplish, and focus on completing them before moving on to other tasks.
Conclusion
By using the Ivy Lee Method, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and instead focus on the most important tasks that will have the biggest impact on your life. As Ivy Lee himself said, “Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.”
If you want to dig deeper into the subject, check out The Art of Improvement’s video on The Ivy Lee Method.
If you want to find out more, go ahead and click on the article about choosing your priorities.
In true Next Few Steps style, what one takeaway will you apply to your life immediately to help you become a demigod of productivity?
And if you have any other tips, tricks or comments, be sure to leave them below.