17 Tiny Habits to Tackle Your To-Dos
Even the smallest habits can dramatically increase productivity!
Do you crave the gratification of crossing things off your to-do list? Let’s face it, seeing a long list of check marks in your planner after a long day is pretty satisfying. But, maintaining productivity and checking boxes off your to-do list is often much easier said than done. We start our day with tasks spinning in our head that we need to do, and we often end up one of two ways:
Without having written down the actual list
Feeling defeated with a list of unfinished daily goals that get carried over to the next day.
Here’s a research-backed habit-building method to help you get daily goals done
When starting a new habit, try following the Tiny Habits method developed by Dr. BJ Fogg, a world-renowned habit expert. Dr. BJ Fogg explains that habits should be made as small as possible and then anchored to an already existing trigger that you do in the day. This trigger can be something like turning on a light, plugging in your phone, starting the dishwasher, or anything you know you will do every day.
Save this for reference:
Anchor (existing habit) + Tiny Habit (hilariously small version of your new TO DO LIST habit)
This habit-building method makes these new To-Do List habits almost impossible NOT to do. Though they may seem small in the beginning, you can slowly incorporate larger habits from the initial tiny ones, to achieve your more long-term goals. If you want to learn more about Tiny Habits and the work we do at Shelpful, consider taking our workshop based on the research done by Dr. BJ Fogg. His book, Tiny Habits is great and goes into the method in detail. Dr. Fogg’s method is also cited in another New York Times Best Seller, Atomic Habits by James Clear – he renames it “Habit Stacking.”
How do you ensure you will get your to-dos out of the way? The Tiny Habits method can help! By anchoring the new habit to an existing one, your brain can quickly lock in the habit and help it become second nature. We highly recommend implementing any of these habits or using them for inspiration to make habits of your own!
Productivity Tips: High-level approaches to To-Do Listing
Before we dig into the teeny tiny ways to incorporate good to-do list habits, let’s ask the experts for the best overall advice. Then we can shrink down their advice to follow the research-backed habit-building approach. If it’s any comfort, you aren’t alone – we dug up a stat that 89% of people don’t finish their to-do lists. Here are some general to-do list tips:
Commit to ONE main task list spot/app/notepad. When your to-dos reside in a bunch of different places, your brain gets split and you can easily find the priority.
Highlight the biggest priority task for the day, and try to do that first. If you do nothing else, just write one thing down.
Download a to-do list app or to-do list template that fits your needs
Write a fresh list every day, even if you have a carryover task. Writing them again can help give you the opportunity to break them up into smaller tasks. Also, you get sick of re-writing the same tasks eventually!
Find an accountability buddy or find an accountability group: you can send your to-do list to them each day, send your top tasks to your buddy, or hold you to write your to-dos down every day.
Check things off throughout the day and not all at once. By completing a few goals spaced out, you will watch your to-do list dwindle and it will seem less daunting. This is also a great way to practice proper time management!
17 Tiny Habit Ideas to Tackle your To-do list
Remember, we are using an existing habit as an anchor. The anchor will remind us to do the TINY version of the new habit). Here’s the format we follow: Anchor (existing habit) + Tiny Habit (hilariously small version of your new TO DO LIST habit)
After sitting down on my bed, I will write down one of the to-dos spinning in my head for tomorrow.
After reading yesterday’s to-do list, I will turn the page and write the number “1” (to start a new list with the top priority).
After writing my to-do list, I will draw a star next to the three most important tasks.
When setting my alarm at night, I will determine how much time I will need to complete my morning tasks (waking up even just 10 minutes earlier than you need to can give you a huge jumpstart on your list).
After I sit down at my desk, I will write down one thing I already did and check it off (something as simple as “Got Dressed” -or- “Made Coffee” -or- “Took my dog out.”
After writing a to-do list, I will open my calendar and schedule ONE of the to-dos into my day (and hopefully schedule them all).
While brushing my teeth, I will complete one task in the bathroom (this is a great time to tidy your counter).
While my coffee is brewing, I will choose a task to complete in the kitchen before starting my work day.
After taking my first sip of coffee, I will set a timer for 10 minutes and see how many tasks I can complete.
After opening my office door, I will put my to-do list on my desk (seeing it will be a constant reminder of the goals you set for the day).
After powering on my computer, I will turn my phone on “do not disturb” for one hour (so I can stay focused on my to-do list).
After sitting down at my desk, I will write the numbers “1, 2, 3 on a piece of paper.”
After pressing send on an email, I will set a timer to do 5 minutes of productivity time from my to-do list.
While waiting for my lunch to cook, I will an alarm to start a remaining item on my to-do list.
After putting my lunch dish in the dishwasher, I will say out loud which task I will do next.
When I arrive home from work, I will put my phone in my bedroom (to eliminate distractions).
After I close my computer for the day, I will set a 20-minute timer to complete any non-computer tasks I haven’t already done.
Remember, it’s ok to have some tasks on your to-do list for multiple days! No judgment here! That’s super common. Sometimes the day can get away from us or bring unexpected surprises, or maybe it was just a hard productivity day. No matter what happens, don’t beat yourself up over not checking every box, even the act of just making a list is a huge WIN!
The most full-proof way to successfully incorporate new habits into your routine is to understand how habits work and how to properly incorporate them into your life. If you are ready to dive deeper into the world of tiny habits we recommend reading Dr. BJ Fogg’s book on Tiny Habits and exploring our habit-coaching options.
Sometimes getting started on a new habit or checking off to-dos can be much harder than anticipated. It’s okay to ask for help! Shelpful has real-human accountability buddies whose sole purpose is to help their members achieve their goals and properly form new habits. Whether you need a step-by-step habit-forming plan or just daily reminders, your buddy will be there to celebrate even the smallest wins!
Let us know how incorporating some of these habits go! Message or tag us on Instagram / Tik Tok.
