In a world overflowing with to-do lists, notifications, and endless demands on our time, staying productive often feels like chasing a moving target. Many professionals struggle with managing priorities and end up feeling overwhelmed. The good news is, sometimes the simplest systems are the most powerful. That’s exactly where the Ivy Lee Method stands out. This timeless productivity technique cuts through the noise, offering a clear, straightforward path to achieving more by doing less. Whether you’re a busy executive, a freelancer, or someone looking to bring order to your day, the Ivy Lee Method can transform the way you approach your work.
What Is the Ivy Lee Method?
The Ivy Lee Method is a productivity strategy that revolves around a simple daily routine: each evening, write down the six most important tasks you need to accomplish the next day. Prioritize these tasks in order of true importance. When you start your day, focus solely on the first task. Only move on to the second task once the first is complete, and continue down your list in this way.
This method emphasizes prioritization, focus, and single-tasking—helping you avoid distractions and the stress of juggling multiple tasks at once. Despite its simplicity, the Ivy Lee Method remains one of the most effective ways to increase personal and professional productivity. It helps you work on what truly matters, ensuring that each day is both intentional and productive.
History of the Ivy Lee Method
The Ivy Lee Method dates back to 1918, when Charles M. Schwab, president of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, sought ways to boost his company’s productivity. He hired Ivy Lee, a respected productivity consultant, to help. When Schwab asked Lee how much his advice would cost, Lee replied, “Nothing—unless it works. After three months, you can send me a check for whatever you think it’s worth.”
Lee’s advice was strikingly simple: every evening, write down the six most important tasks for the next day, rank them by priority, and tackle them one by one. Schwab was so impressed by the resulting improvement in efficiency that he sent Lee a check for $25,000—a fortune at the time. Since then, the Ivy Lee Method has become a classic productivity strategy, proving that simplicity often drives the greatest results.
Suggested Reading: More Information on the Ivy Lee Method
If you’d like to understand the Ivy Lee Method in greater detail, I recommend exploring these excellent resources:
The Ivy Lee Method: The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity by James Clear
James Clear breaks down the history, power, and application of the method with practical examples you can start using immediately.The Ivy Lee Method: The Daily Routine Experts Recommend for Peak Productivity by Sikandar Sami
A helpful guide that dives into how professionals today can apply this timeless technique for daily success.Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
While not exclusively about the Ivy Lee Method, this book expands on essential productivity principles that complement the method beautifully, helping you gain clarity and regain control of your time.
Core Components of the Ivy Lee Method
The power of the Ivy Lee Method lies in its simplicity. It’s built on three essential components that, when combined, create a framework for purposeful, productive work.
Prioritization
At the heart of the Ivy Lee Method is prioritization. By writing down the six most important tasks you must complete the next day, you force yourself to determine what truly matters. This step cuts through the clutter of minor, less impactful tasks. It ensures your energy and focus are directed toward activities that drive real progress.
Task Sequencing
Once you’ve identified your six critical tasks, you arrange them in order of priority. This sequencing eliminates uncertainty about where to begin each day. Instead of wasting mental energy deciding what to do next, you simply follow your pre-made plan, moving from the top of the list down.
Single-tasking
Unlike multitasking—which splits your attention and often leads to mistakes—the Ivy Lee Method encourages single-tasking. You work on one task at a time, only moving to the next when the current one is complete. This concentrated focus boosts the quality of your work and helps you complete tasks faster.
Benefits of the Ivy Lee Method
The Ivy Lee Method’s simple routine delivers powerful benefits that can transform how you work.
Sharpened focus and reduced distractions
When you start each day with a clear, prioritized list, you minimize the mental clutter that often leads to distractions. This method acts like a spotlight, keeping your attention on the tasks that matter most and helping you avoid the trap of jumping between emails, calls, and unrelated tasks.
A clearer understanding of your goals
By writing down your top tasks every evening, you constantly align your daily work with your broader goals. This regular reflection ensures you’re not just staying busy but making meaningful progress on what’s most important for your success.
Elimination of decision fatigue
One of the hidden enemies of productivity is decision fatigue—the mental drain caused by making too many choices. The Ivy Lee Method eliminates this by pre-deciding your tasks and their order. When you start your day, you don’t waste time figuring out what to do; you simply get to work.
A sense of accomplishment
Each time you complete a task and move to the next, you build momentum and motivation. By the end of the day, seeing your prioritized list with items checked off provides a deep sense of satisfaction. This daily progress fuels confidence and keeps you engaged with your work.
Tips for Effective Use of the Ivy Lee Method
While the Ivy Lee Method is wonderfully simple, using it effectively requires a few mindful practices. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of it:
Be realistic with your six tasks:
Don’t overload your day with overly ambitious items. Choose six tasks that are truly achievable within your workday. It’s better to complete six high-impact tasks than to juggle ten and finish none.Write your list the night before:
Preparing your list in the evening frees up your mental space for the next day. When you wake up, you can start working immediately without wasting time deciding what to tackle first.Break down big tasks:
If a task feels too large or vague, break it into smaller, specific actions. This prevents overwhelm and makes it easier to complete and check off.Stay disciplined with single-tasking:
Avoid the temptation to multitask or jump between items. Trust the process—focus on completing the current task fully before moving on to the next.Review and adjust:
At the end of the day, reflect on what you accomplished. Use this insight to refine your next day’s list. Over time, you’ll learn how to prioritize even better.
Popular Usage and Examples of the Ivy Lee Method
The Ivy Lee Method isn’t just a historical curiosity—it’s actively used by countless professionals and organizations today to sharpen focus and improve daily productivity.
Business leaders and executives:
Many CEOs and managers use this method to navigate complex responsibilities. By focusing on six key tasks each day, they ensure strategic priorities move forward.Writers and creatives:
Authors and designers often face the challenge of juggling multiple projects. The Ivy Lee Method helps them channel creativity into their most pressing tasks, avoiding scattered efforts.Freelancers and entrepreneurs:
With endless to-dos and no external structure, freelancers find the Ivy Lee Method particularly helpful for keeping their work organized and aligned with long-term goals.Personal life applications:
This method isn’t limited to business. Many people apply it to personal projects—like planning events, managing household improvements, or learning new skills—bringing clarity and structure to their daily lives.
By seeing how others successfully use this timeless strategy, you can find inspiration to adapt it to your own routines—whether for managing large teams, running a small business, or simply getting more out of each day.
Challenges in Using the Ivy Lee Method
While the Ivy Lee Method is celebrated for its simplicity and effectiveness, it isn’t without its challenges. Being aware of these potential hurdles can help you navigate them and adapt the method to fit your work style.
Underestimating time requirements
One common challenge is underestimating how long tasks actually take. It’s easy to list six important items and assume you can breeze through them, only to find yourself stuck on the first two. This can lead to frustration and the feeling of falling behind. Being honest about how much time tasks demand—and adjusting your list accordingly—will help keep the method realistic.
Rigid task lists in dynamic environments
The Ivy Lee Method works best in environments where you have some control over your schedule. If your workday is often interrupted by urgent requests or shifting priorities, sticking strictly to your pre-set six tasks can be difficult. In such cases, you might need to build in buffer time or allow flexibility to adapt when priorities change.
Difficulty with single-tasking
In today’s fast-paced world, many people are accustomed to multitasking. Staying focused on a single task until it’s done can feel unnatural or even uncomfortable at first. It requires discipline to resist checking emails, responding to messages, or hopping between projects.
Neglecting smaller but necessary tasks
Because the method focuses on six top priorities, there’s a chance that smaller but still important tasks might get pushed aside. To balance this, many people keep a secondary list for minor tasks that can be handled after the main priorities are complete or in between larger efforts.
Overlooking long-term planning
The Ivy Lee Method is excellent for managing daily tasks, but it doesn’t directly incorporate long-term goals or project timelines. To get the best results, it’s wise to pair it with weekly or monthly planning sessions that keep you aligned with your bigger objectives.
How to Implement the Ivy Lee Method Using Corexta
Adopting the Ivy Lee Method becomes even easier and more effective when paired with a modern project management tool like Corexta. Corexta’s features can help you organize, prioritize, and stay focused—bringing this classic productivity technique into your digital workflow.
Step 1: Identify your top 6 tasks using Corexta Tasks and to-do lists
Start each evening by opening your Corexta dashboard and reviewing your current projects and pending work. Use the Tasks and to-do list features to jot down the six most important tasks you need to complete the next day. This ensures your priorities are stored in one central place, accessible from any device.
Step 2: Prioritize tasks and set due dates in order of urgency and importance
Within Corexta, arrange your six tasks by priority. Use labels, tags, or simply reorder them in your to-do list to reflect what’s most critical. Assign due dates to keep your schedule tight and your focus clear. This step mirrors the heart of the Ivy Lee Method—forcing you to decide what truly matters.
Step 3: Concentrate on one task at a time with Corexta Timer
Corexta’s built-in Timer helps you stay committed to single-tasking. Start the timer when you begin working on your first task and avoid the temptation to jump to another until it’s done. This feature not only keeps you accountable but also gives you insights into how long different types of work actually take.
Step 4: Track your tasks with Corexta Project Timesheet
Once your day is underway, use the Project Timesheet in Corexta to track which tasks you completed, how long they took, and how they contributed to your broader goals. Over time, this data will help you refine your task estimates and improve your overall time management—making each day even more productive.
Finding Your Productivity Sweet Spot
Using the Ivy Lee Method has completely changed how I approach my work. I’ve come to see it almost like a time management challenge—by setting a fixed number of tasks each day, I was able to organize my priorities and gain a refreshing sense of control over my day.
Of course, the method isn’t without its limitations, but that’s where Corexta made all the difference. Its flexibility helped me adapt the Ivy Lee Method to my unique workflow, boosting my productivity even further.
Ultimately, the secret is finding a system that truly fits you. Don’t hesitate to experiment and tailor the Ivy Lee Method to match your goals and work style.
Ready to take charge of your productivity? Sign up for Corexta today!
